Soprano Kristen Watson, hailed by critics for her “blithe and silvery” tone and “winning stage presence,” has made solo appearances with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Mark Morris Dance Group, Boston Baroque, and the Handel & Haydn Society at such venues as Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and Boston’s Symphony Hall. Praised for her “keen musicianship, agility and seamless control,” Ms. Watson has been recognized by the Concert Artists Guild, Oratorio Society of New York, Joy in Singing, American Bach Society, and Louisville Bach Society competitions and was granted the Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Fellowship with Emmanuel Music.

Opera audiences have heard Ms. Watson as the Voice of the Fountain in Osvaldo Golijov’s acclaimed opera Ainadamar, directed by Peter Sellars with Opera Boston. She has performed in productions with Boston Lyric Opera, Opera New England, Boston University Opera Institute, Opera Providence, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh and Intermezzo Opera in such roles as Tytania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Polly Peachum in The Beggar’s Opera, and Monica in The Medium. A versatile crossover artist, Ms. Watson has made several solo appearances with the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart, performed as a featured soprano alongside Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis, and shared the stage with veteran actress Shirley Jones in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel.

Other solo performances include appearances with the Boston Early Music Festival, Carmel Bach Festival, Aston Magna Festival, and the Cactus Pear Music Festival, as well as the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Evansville Philharmonic, Topeka Symphony, Cape Cod Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, Napa Valley Youth Symphony, Pittsburgh Camerata, Arizona Early Music Society and the Walden Chamber Players. An enthusiastic supporter of modern and contemporary music, Ms. Watson has premiered many works of new composers, such as the members of Altavoz, a consortium of Latin-American composers living in various cities around North America and Europe. She also sings alongside soprano Kathryn Mueller and harpsichordist Michael Sponseller as Les Sirènes, a dynamic new ensemble taking audiences on an exploration of the soprano voice and Baroque repertory.

Kristen Watson is originally from Topeka, Kansas, and holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Boston University.