Blending artistry with authenticity, Chicago-based mezzo-soprano Hailey Cohen is carving out a distinctive presence in opera and concert, captivating audiences with her rich vocal color and expressive storytelling. In the 2025/2026 season, she joins Nashville Opera as a Mary Ragland Emerging Artist, where she will sing Wowkle in La fanciulla del West and cover Rosina in The Barber of Seville.
Recent season highlights include performances as Berta in The Barber of Seville and covers of Rosina (The Barber of Seville), María (María de Buenos Aires), and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Madison Opera, as well as Zita in Gianni Schicchi with Finger Lakes Opera. In the 2023/2024 season, she appeared as Dorthée in The Anonymous Lover and Paquette in Candide, while also covering the role of the Old Lady, also with Madison Opera. As a Smith Resident Artist with Cedar Rapids Opera, she performed as Hattie in American Gothical and Logan in Charlie and the Wolf.
Passionate about contemporary and experimental works, Hailey has performed K. in Would You Eat Me? and Sally in The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Robot with Thompson Street Opera, as well as Ember and Asintmah (cover) in Future Perfect with Bellissima Opera.
A committed advocate for new music, Hailey received the Eileen Weiser EXCEL Award to commission Jerrell R. Gray’s song cycle Human Nature (available at jerrellgray.com). Her love of new works inspired the creation of Quarantine Cabaret, an evening of cabaret music and premieres, including Gray’s cycle alongside music by William Bolcom, Kurt Weill, Jake Heggie, and Whitney George.
Hailey holds a Master of Music from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where she performed a variety of roles, including Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice and Little Daughter in Proving Up.
Offstage, Hailey blends her passion for movement and mindfulness as a yoga teacher at Ritual Hot Yoga. She also loves coffee, perfecting her sourdough baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Blending artistry with authenticity, Chicago-based mezzo-soprano Hailey Cohen is carving out a distinctive presence in opera and concert, captivating audiences with her rich vocal color and expressive storytelling. In the 2025/2026 season, she joins Nashville Opera as a Mary Ragland Emerging Artist, where she will sing Wowkle in La fanciulla del West and cover Rosina in The Barber of Seville.
Recent season highlights include performances as Berta in The Barber of Seville and covers of Rosina (The Barber of Seville), María (María de Buenos Aires), and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Madison Opera, as well as Zita in Gianni Schicchi with Finger Lakes Opera. In the 2023/2024 season, she appeared as Dorthée in The Anonymous Lover and Paquette in Candide, while also covering the role of the Old Lady, also with Madison Opera. As a Smith Resident Artist with Cedar Rapids Opera, she performed as Hattie in American Gothical and Logan in Charlie and the Wolf.
Passionate about contemporary and experimental works, Hailey has performed K. in Would You Eat Me? and Sally in The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Robot with Thompson Street Opera, as well as Ember and Asintmah (cover) in Future Perfect with Bellissima Opera.
A committed advocate for new music, Hailey received the Eileen Weiser EXCEL Award to commission Jerrell R. Gray’s song cycle Human Nature (available at jerrellgray.com). Her love of new works inspired the creation of Quarantine Cabaret, an evening of cabaret music and premieres, including Gray’s cycle alongside music by William Bolcom, Kurt Weill, Jake Heggie, and Whitney George.
Hailey holds a Master of Music from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where she performed a variety of roles, including Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice and Little Daughter in Proving Up.
Offstage, Hailey blends her passion for movement and mindfulness as a yoga teacher at Ritual Hot Yoga. She also loves coffee, perfecting her sourdough baking, and spending time with friends and family.
