“She’s a strong actress and an even better singer.”

-The Washington Post

Puerto Rican soprano, Kresley Figueroa, recently concluded her tenure as a Cafritz Young Artist with Washington National Opera where she earned critical acclaim for her vocal brilliance, dramatic range, and magnetic stage presence. Her ability to move fluidly between musical genres has quickly established her as one of opera's most uniquely compelling and versatile young artists.

Kresley made her debut with The Metropolitan Opera in 2026 singing First Frida Image in El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego. That year also brought debuts as Mary Warren in The Crucible with Washington National Opera and Fiorilla in Rossini's Il Turco in Italia with Teatro Nuovo. In the 2026/2027 season, she joins The Denyce Graves Foundation as a fellow with Generational Voices.

Major competition wins include: National Semifinalist in The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (First Place and Audience Favorite, Mid-Atlantic Region); First Place and Audience Favorite in the James Toland Vocal Arts Competition; First Place in the Kyrenia Opera Vocal Competition; and Third Prize in Florida Grand Opera’s National Voice Competition.

Concert highlights include a recital at the Aspen Music Festival with Ana María Martínez and pianist Myra Huang, as well as a concert with Susan Graham at The Library of Congress. Kresley has performed with renowned artists Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, and Denyce Graves in WNO’s annual gala, singing Cunegonde in excerpts from Candide.

Kresley’s performed repertoire includes the title role in Handel’s Partenope with Washington National Opera, Nannetta in Falstaff, performing alongside Bryn Terfel in the title role with the Aspen Music Festival, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni with OPERA San Antonio. Her diverse repertoire includes roles such as Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Servilia in La clemenza di Tito, Maria in West Side Story, and Fiona in Brigadoon.

Figueroa holds degrees from The Juilliard School and Rice University.