This past fall, American Mezzo-soprano, Leia Lensing returned to the Houston Grand Opera Studio, where she performed in scenes from Giustino (Handel), La pietra del paragone (Rossini), and Cendrillon (Massenet). At the beginning of the 2019-2020 HGO season, Lensing studied and covered the role of David in Handel’s Saul. In the 2018-2019 season, Lensing made her debut as Frau Mary in Der fliegende Holländer, performing with “clarity and opulent color” (Houstonia) and “a natural and unforced low tessitura perfect for this role” (Schmopera). Lensing was a Houston district winner for the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, leading to her encouragement award at the regional level in New Orleans. In early March, Lensing was chosen as a Finalist in the Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year competition in Shreveport, Louisiana. Lensing returned to Santa Fe Opera to cover the role of Grandmother Buryjovka in Jenůfa, as well as performing in Vaughan-Williams’Serenade to Music.

In February 2018, Lensing was awarded the First Prize in the Eleanor Mccollum Competition for Young Singers at Houston Grand Opera, as well as capturing the Online Viewers’ Choice Award, delivering a performance with “goosebump-inducing richness and beauty” (Houston Grand Opera). In addition to her inclination for early music, Lensing is experienced in new opera works, having covered the role of Pasqualita (Doctor Atomic) in the 2018 Sante Fe Opera season and participated in a workshop for an upcoming Opera Philadelphia premiere. 

Lensing completed her formal training at the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education (2015) and Master of Music (2018) degrees. Although a small-town, Iowa girl at heart, Lensing has broadened her horizons and traveled nationally to young artist programs such as Des Moines Metro Opera, Sante Fe Opera, and is currently residing in the Houston Grand Opera Studio. 

Later in the HGO 2019-2020 Season, Lensing can be seen performing the roles of the Page of Herodias in Salome and Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte. This June, Lensing will be making a role and house debut with Wolf Trap Opera, singing Olga in Eugene Onegin!