
Sterling, VA
ROLE(S): Madame de Croissy (Dialogues of the Carmelites)
Noted for her “plush, glowing tones, and lyrical poise” (Arts & Culture Texas), contralto Cecelia McKinley returns to Wolf Trap Opera this season after singing with the company as a Studio Artist in 2022. A recent graduate of the Cafritz Young Artist Program, Ms. McKinley’s credits with the Washington National Opera include Arsace (Partenope), Zweite Magd (Elektra), and Mastrilla (Songbird). This past season Ms. McKinley made her “old artist” debut with the company as Schwertleite from Die Walkurie in their Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner concert. In the 2024-2025 season, she also made her debut with InSeries Opera as Mrs. Mister and Ella in Blitzstein’s Cradle Will Rock, for which she was labeled a “favorite” by The Washington Post. In previous summers, Ms. McKinley participated in San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program as well as Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. She received her master’s degree in music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and a bachelor’s degree in music at James Madison University. When not singing, Ms. McKinley enjoys cooking overly complicated recipes and keeping her plants alive.