Meet Cara

 

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Cara Bender is an operatic soprano hailing from Corning, New York. Cara began 2026 as a recipient of the Encouragement Award from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Tulsa District.

 

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Cara made her company debut with Chautauqua Opera this past summer as an Apprentice Artist. At Chautauqua, Cara starred as Mimì (role debut) in La bohème and covered renowned soprano Christine Goerke as the Reverend in an orchestrated concert reading of Missy Mazzoli's new opera, Lincoln in the Bardo, commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera. 

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Last season, Cara was a finalist in the Mildred Miller International Voice Competition. A passionate champion of art song as well as opera, Cara was named a National Finalist of The American Prize Chamber Music Award for her performance of

Gustav Mahler's Rückert-Lieder with collaborative pianist Leona Cheung. 

 

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