Dawn Padmore, Liberian-born soprano is a versatile singer. Her Toronto debut recital was reviewed by the Toronto Star as a "series of musical confections smartly wrapped in a silky soprano". As a featured soloist in the world premier of Akin Euba's opera, Orunmila's Voices, with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society Orchestra, Ms. Padmore's performance was considered "a highlight of the evening" (New Orleans Times-Picayune).

An active recitalist, Ms. Padmore has performed nationally and internationally, and her diverse programs have included art songs from the standard repertoire, art songs and arias by West African and young American composers.    

 

Ms. Padmore has given various recitals in collaboration with acclaimed scholar and composer, Akin Euba,  pianist Darryl Hollister and with Canada’s groundbreaking music group Ensemble Noir.

 

Recent performances have included a tour of Africa with Ensemble Noir with performances in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa; a featured artist at the Festival of Sacred and Profane Music in Martinique, recitals featuring new music by African and African-American composers in Pittsburgh, at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; at the 2005 New Music Indaba Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa, and in St. Thomas and St. John, the U.S. Virgin Islands, in collaboration with Mr. Hollister.  

 

Operatic roles performed include the Countess (Marriage of Figaro), Lady with the Cake Box (Postcard from Morocco), Elettra (Idomeneo) and Sister Angelica (Sister Angelica). New operas include the Radical Woman (No Easy Walk to Freedom).

Ms. Padmore has performed as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Civic Orchestra (MN), and the Delaware Symphony as a competition winner.  She was a young studio artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera Company.

Competitions won include the Austrian American Society Competition (DE), the Metropolitan Opera Guild Competition Midwest District Winner, and the Delaware Symphony Concerto Competition. 

 

Ms. Padmore received her B.A. in Psychology and Music from the University of Delaware, and completed her Master of Music in vocal performance at The University of Minnesota School of Music. 

 

Upcoming performances include recitals in the U.K., at Churchill College, Cambridge University and in Alexandria, Virginia.