BIOGRAPHY

Lauded for her "winning performance" by Opera News, mezzo-soprano JoAnna Vladyka is best known for her dynamic instrument and character-driven versatility on the operatic stage.

An accomplished jazz artist as well, JoAnna harnesses her rich chest voice and smoky tones, and specializes in the standards we all know and love.

This upcoming season, JoAnna will be appearing in Seattle Opera/On Site Opera’s collaboration production Lucidity as Dr. Klugman (cover).

She will also be reviving her signature concert series, “I AM WOMAN” - a look at the complex perceptions of women from the Dark Ages to the Present through the music of all female composers/librettists.

Ms. Vladyka spent the 2023-2024 season appearing as The Collector in On Site Opera’s two workshops of Melisa Tien and Lisa DeSpain’s new American opera, The Song of the Nightingale. She also was seen as La Frugola in On Site Opera’s production of Il Tabarro (cover), and as Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte in On Site’s Opera in the Garden series. JoAnna next appeared as Countess Ceprano and Maddalena (cover) in Rigoletto with Regina Opera. She also performed the National Anthem with the Washington Nationals (MLB) at Nationals Park.

The 2022-2023 season found JoAnna with her role debut of Isabella in Zandonai’s Giulietta e Romeo with Teatro Grattacielo, as well as die Hexe in Hänsel und Gretel with Playground Opera. She headlined I am Woman, a solo recital series highlighting works by living female composers. 

JoAnna recently appeared with Bated Breath Theatre Company in VOYEUR: The Windows of Toulouse-Lautrec, New York’s only recurring live production during the pandemic arts shutdown. She also sang with New Amsterdam Opera, covering Ninetta in I Vespri Sicilliani while shifting her vocal focus to full lyric mezzo repertoire.

During the 2019-2020 season, Ms. Vladyka appeared as Auntie Duck in Shostakovich's The Tale of the Silly Baby Mouse with OnSite Opera, Nichette in Herbert's Madeleine with Victor Herbert Renaissance Project, Mrs. Gobineau in The Medium with City Lyric Opera, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with Long Island Lyric Opera (cover), Leonor in La Favorite and the titular role of Rinaldo, both with New York Opera Forum.

Other notable appearances include Nelly Box in Martha with Utopia Opera, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with SingThrough Central, Dame Hannah in Ruddigore and Lady Blanche in Princess Ida both with Village Light Opera Group, Ninetta in Orange Blossoms with VHRP, Tisbe in La cenerentola at the Midwest Institute of Opera, Blanche Ingram in Jayne Eyre with The Barn Players, El Gato in El gato con botas with Kansas City Opera Institute, #3 in Conrad Susa’s chamber opera Transformations, and Olga in The Merry Widow, both with Kansas City Metro Opera.

As a JAZZ ARTIST as well, JoAnna has appeared at the Phoenix Club (KC), and private events/concerts throughout the United States.