American lyric coloratura soprano Candace Williams most recently completed her Artist Diploma in Opera Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. While completing the program, she performed the role of Constance (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Lucy (Fellow Travelers), and Flower 1 (Rappaccini’s Daughter). She has also studied the role of Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), Norina (Don Pasquale), and more. She has appeared frequently as a chorus member with the Cincinnati Opera, most recently in their staged world premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. With a specific passion for community engagement and contemporary stories, Candace has also worked with Cincinnati Opera on a variety of community engagement performances as a teaching artist and on several workshops of new operas through their “Opera Fusion: New Works” initiative.

Candace has twice won encouragement awards at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (Kentucky District), and is a recent winner of the Operatic Aria Prize at the 2024 George Shirley Vocal Competition.