Emerson McAlister (they/them) is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. They recently went through a fach change from soprano to mezzo. A proud disabled, genderfluid individual, their passion for gender (or lack thereof) bleeds into their work. Emerson won the Special Encouragement Award for the Western Region of The Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition this past season. In 2022, Emerson was also the winner of the VSA Young Artists Prize at The Kennedy Center, where they were honored and performed on the Millennium Stage. Their Jewish identity also happens to be a crucial part of their performance career. Emerson has had success performing Jake Heggie’s Another Sunrise throughout the Jewish community of the Bay Area.

Some of Emerson’s repertoire includes Gertrude (Romeo et Juliette), Carmen (Carmen), Vitellia (La clemenza di Tito), which they performed at SFCM with directors James Darrah and Raviv Ullman, Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), Eve/Barbara/Ella (The Apple Tree), Krystyna Żywulska (Another Sunrise), The Governess (The Turn of the Screw), Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors), and La Countessa (Le nozze di Figaro) which they covered at Opera San José.

They participated in Aspen Music Festival, Festival Napa Valley, Vienna Summer Music Festival, Utah Vocal Arts Academy, and Savannah Voice Festival. Emerson earned their MFA from SF Conservatory of Music, studying with Susanne Mentzer. Their BFA came from Carnegie Mellon University, studying with Maria Spacagna. 

Other than opera, they also actively advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, and Jewish representation. Emerson is also currently pursuing a certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy and plans on seeing clients adjacent with their music career. They have an adorable rescue dog, Figaro, and rescue cat, Portobello, who you can both follow on Instagram: @figgly_wiggly and @porty.potty (you can find Emerson at @emersonmcmezzo).