Biography

Audrianna Hughes, mezzo-soprano, is a Paducah, KY native who is passionate about performing. She holds a MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky and a BM in Music Education from Murray State University in Kentucky. She previously studied under Dr. Everett McCorvey. 

Her previous competition credits include winning the Pre-Professional Mezzo-Soprano Prize sponsored by Hilda Harris at the 2025 George Shirley Vocal Competition, an Encouragement Award this past November at the KY District Metropolitan Laffont Competition, 1st Place in the Advanced Classical Treble - 2023 Kentucky National Association of Teachers in Singing, 2nd Place Graduate Division Winner and Reginald Smith, Jr. Scholarship in Opera Award at the 2023 University of Kentucky Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. 

Previous stage experience includes performing the role of Constanza in University of Kentucky Opera Theatre's A Nation of Others by Paul Moravec, all mezzo-soprano roles in Sanctuary Road by Paul Moravec, performing in the chorus in Kentucky Opera's Madama Butterfly, the role of Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, Angelina in Rossini's La Cenerentola at Bay View Music Festival, alto soloist in Mozart's Requiem and Mrs. Ott in Carlisle Floyd's Susannah. 

This season, Audrianna will attend the Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Artist Program, Bay View Music Festival’s American Negro Spiritual Intensive, and Houston Grand Opera’s Porgy and Bess. Audrianna is also a new mentee of the Black Leadership Arts Collective Mentorship Program under J’Nai Bridges and a member of the American Spiritual Ensemble.