Grace Valdes, Cuban-American Soprano, has recently garnered high praise for her commanding stage presence, powerful voice and vocal beauty. Her 2007 performance of Tosca with the Raylynmore Opera captivated the audience and critics, one of whom proclaimed "her voice was just right for the great Roman diva ".  Her lush, yet powerful, sound and superb character portrayal was also noted in her performance of Santuzza from Cavalleria Rusticana “FANTASTIC…she simply stole the show” at Chelsea Opera, NY.

In the summer of 2005, Ms. Valdes was invited to perform the role of Mariangela in the World Premier of La Caccia al Lupo by Thomas Lawrence Toscano at the Festival Vizzini, Sicily, IT.  Having performed the role with roaring success, Ms. Valdes has been invited back to premier the composer’s next opera La Caccia a la Volpe in 2008.

As a mezzo soprano, before her transition to soprano, Ms. Valdes performed the role of Carmen with Raylynmore Opera, NH and Lola from Cavalleria Rusticana with New Jersey State Opera. NJ.  Other roles have included Sena Rita in La Verbena de la Paloma, Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, Isabella in Boccaccio and Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica.

Ms Valdes’ solo orchestral credits include a performance of Manuel de Falla's El Amor Brujo with the Harrisburg Symphony, PA., Beethoven's 9^th with the Charleston Symphony and also with the Greenboro Symphony.  Ms. Valdes has also performed Handle’s Messiah on several occasions with various churches in New Jersey including the prominent Hawthorne Gospel Church of Hawthorne, NJ and several concerts with Pacific Opera Company at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, NY.

Ms. Valdes began her professional studies at the New World School of the Arts, in Miami, Fl. After completing her AA, she moved to Philadelphia, PA where she continued her studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts. When Ms. Valdes moved to New York City, she was the finalist in NJ Alliance for the Performing Arts competition and was the winner of the Pacific Opera Vocal Competition.