Dawn Padmore, Liberian-born soprano, a versatile classical artist, is known for presenting diverse repertoire to listeners internationally.

Referred to as “a resonating soprano” by Bernard Holland, music critic of The New York Times, Ms. Padmore has performed in acclaimed venues such as Carnegie Hall; the Kennedy Center (Washington DC); and, the Miller Theater (New York City), renowned for its presentation of music by contemporary composers.

Recent performances include « Love, at a certain age »,  a cabaret concert at Pangea Supper Club, with award-winning pianist and musical director, Brian Holman. She was also  featured  part of the acclaimed New York City Salon/Sanctuary Series, where she performed a program of West African songs in collaboration with a line-up of internationally renowned musicians.  The performance was a “top weekend pick” in the New York Times Arts section, and received a positive review from the popular opera blog, Voce di Meche, which referred to her as one who “sings with a generosity of spirit and lovely tone”.

Ms. Padmore’s Toronto debut recital was reviewed by the Toronto Star as a “series of musical confections smartly wrapped in a silky soprano.” As a featured soloist in the world premiere of Akin Euba’s opera, Orunmila’s Voices, with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society Orchestra, Ms. Padmore’s performance was considered “a highlight of the evening”(New Orleans Times-Picayune).

Ms. Padmore was invited to sing at the inauguration of the Republic of Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first female African president, and performed for Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu in Minneapolis as part of the annual National Youth Leadership Council’s conference.

She has performed internationally – in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and North America. Festivals include the Festival of Sacred and Profane Music in Martinique and the annual New Music Indaba Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Ms. Padmore has also performed as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Civic Orchestra (MN) and the Delaware Symphony. She was a young studio artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera Company.

Operatic roles performed include the Countess (Marriage of Figaro), Lady with the Cake Box (Postcard from Morocco), Elettra (Idomeneo) and Sister Angelica (Sister Angelica). New operas include the Radical Woman (No Easy Walk to Freedom) and Orunmila (Euba).

Ms. Padmore has collaborated with a range of notable musicians and composers including Brian Holman, conductor, pianist and musical director; Kofo the Wonderman, talking drum master; Malian master kora player Yacouba Sissoko; Baye Mahanta Diop, lead guitarist of Cheikh Lo’s Le Ndiguel Band; scholars and composers, Akin Euba, Kwabena Nketia, Haleem El-Dabh, Bongani Ndodan-Breen, Fred “O”, and Chandler Carter. Competitions won include the Austrian American Society Competition (DE), the Metropolitan Opera Guild Competition Midwest District Winner, and the Delaware Symphony Concerto Competition.