THE CAST

MaKayla McDonald (Ida B. Wells)
American Soprano MaKayla McDonald is an active performer of opera, art song and new works. Currently, she is a participant for the Opera in the 21st Century Program with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. This past season, MaKayla returned to New Camerata Opera to premiere the role of Marie in Julie, a short film based on the life of Julie d’Aubigny. This film was an official selection at the 2020 Concepción Independent Film Awards in Concepción, Chile. In 2020, MaKayla was meant to join Manhattan Concert Productions as a soprano ringer for Symphony Chaco at Lincoln Center. This engagement was cancelled due to Covid-19. Recent past full production engagements include: Micaëla in Carmen with Utopia Opera (COVID-19 cancellation) and Cendrillon in Cendrillon (Viardot) with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble and the premiere of the role of Princess Ursula in Bea Goodwin and Whitney George’s Princess Maleine, also with dAOE.

As a supporter of new and contemporary works, MaKayla has premiered various art songs and roles. Most notably, she worked with renowned composer Thea Musgrave for the New York premiere of The Story of Harriet Tubman, as the title character. Recently, she was featured on BBC Radio 3 during a feature with Musgrave about her chamber operas.

An active recitalist, MaKayla sang for University of Pennsylvania’s The Varied Carols I Hear, a celebration of the works of Walt Whitman. She regularly sings with New England art song organization, Calliope’s Call. This past Fall, MaKayla sang for their concert called, Songs of Gratitude. This summer, she will again join Calliope’s call for their recital I, Too, Sing America.