DRAFT J’Nai Bridges (Opera ’12) Wins 2018 Sphinx Medal of Excellence
Curtis congratulates mezzo soprano J’Nai Bridges (Opera ’12) who recently received the 2018 Sphinx Medal of Excellence. Through a national nomination process, the Sphinx Medals of Excellence program identifies three emerging classical artists of color who, early in their professional career, demonstrate artistic excellence, an outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and ongoing commitment to leadership. J’Nai will receive a $50,000 career grant and will be honored at the seventh annual Sphinx Medals of Excellence celebration on March 21, 2018.
About J’Nai Bridges
American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, known for her “rich, dark, exciting sound” (Opera News), is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after talents of her generation.
Upcoming highlights include her return to San Francisco Opera as Josefa Segovia in the world premiere of John Adams’ Girls of the Golden West; Preziosilla in La Forza del Destino with Opera Zürich; and soloist engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel at both the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Hall; with the New York Philharmonic at the Bravo! Vail Festival; and in Bernstein centennial celebrations with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
Recent performances have included the roles of Nefertiti in Akhnaten at Los Angeles Opera, Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking at Vancouver Opera; the role of Carmen in the world premiere of Bel Canto with Lyric Opera of Chicago; Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with San Diego Opera; and the title role in The Rape of Lucretia with Wolf Trap Opera; as well as featured soloist engagements at the Marilyn Horne Song Celebration at Carnegie Hall; with Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; with the L.A. Philharmonic and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel; with the NDR Symphony Orchestra in its inaugural week at the Elbphilharmonie; and additional performances with the National Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Lexington Philharmonic, and Opera Orchestra of New York.
In 2015, J’Nai completed a three-year residency with the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago and that same year represented the United States at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. Among her many honors, she is a recipient of a 2016 Richard Tucker Career Grant and first prize winner of the 2016 Francisco Viñas International Competition and the 2015 Gerda Lissner Competition. A native of Lakewood, Washington, Ms. Bridges earned her Master of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music. For more information, visit www.jnaibridgesmezzo.com.