American soprano Sara Heaton, noted for her “gleaming lyricism” by Opera News Online, is gaining recognition as a sensitive performer of both opera standards and new works. Career highlights include singing Strauss’ Four Last Songs with the Xalapa Orchestra in Mexico and guest conductor Donald Palma, her role debut as Violetta in La Traviata with Opera in the Heights in Houston and conductor Enrique Carreón-Robledo, a Symphony Hall debut as Papagena with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and Federico Cortese, and singing on a grammy-nominated recording with Martin Pearlman leading Boston Baroque in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria. Other favorite roles include Despina in Cosí fan tutte, Celia in Lucio Silla, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Maria in West Side Story, Miranda in Tod Machover’s Death and the Powers, and Leila in The Pearl Fishers. Sara took first place prize in the Marie Kraja International Singing Competition in Albania, 2nd place prize in the Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition, received the Richard F. Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation, and was a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera competition. This season, Sara joined The Metropolitan Opera Chorus as a full-time member.