Chicago-based mezzo-soprano, Hailey Cohen, is quickly gaining recognition on the stage and in concert. Hailey is excited to be joining Madison Opera as a Studio Artist for the 2024/2025 season where she will be singing the role of Berta in The Barber of Seville. While in Madison she will also be covering the roles of Rosina in The Barber of Seville, María in María de Buenos Aires, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.

2023/2024 season highlights include Dorthee in The Anonymous Lover, Paquette, and covering the role of Old Lady in Candide with Madison Opera. Hailey also joined Cedar Rapids Opera as a Smith Resident Artist where she performed the roles of Hattie in American Gothical and Logan in Charlie and the Wolf.  

Additional role highlights include K. in Would You Eat Me?, and Sally in The Boy Who Wanted to be a Robot with Thompson Street Opera, Ember and Asintmah(cover) in Future Perfect with Bellissima Opera, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel with Vienna Summer Music Festival.

Hailey Graduated from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance with her master's Degree in 2021. Notable roles include Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice, and Littler Daughter in Proving Up with the University of Michigan Opera.

An advocate for new art song and operas, Hailey received the Eileen Weiser EXCEL Award to commission Jerrell R. Gray’s song cycle Human Nature (available for purchase at https://jerrellgray.com). Her love of new music spurred the creation of the recital, Quarantine Cabaret, an evening of Cabaret music and new works, which included the premiere of Gray’s song cycle, along with works by William Bolcom, Kurt Weill, Jake Heggie, and Whitney George.

Hailey also has a strong background in arts administration, having been a development and marketing intern for National Sawdust (2020-2021), Opera Modo (2019), and LoftOpera (2017). Continuing to advocate for new compositions, Hailey interned as a production assistant for the innovative Resonant Bodies Festival in 2018. She aided its mission to support the growth and evolution of contemporary vocal music.

Upcoming events can be found online at haileycohenvoice.com as well as on Instagram @haileycohen_.