“Powerful and rich” are just a couple of words to describe the voice of mezzo-soprano, Grace Valdes. With her dark, warm color and size this Cuban-American artist has been called “a classic” and “fantastic”. Ms. Valdes is a powerful actress who has thrilled audiences and critics alike, “she simply stole the show”.

Ms. Valdes has sung lead roles with companies such as New Jersey State Opera, Sarasota Opera, Bronx Opera, Raylynmor Opera, Opera Theatre of Lakeland, Chelsea Opera and many others in the US and abroad.   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.  After her success, Ms. Valdes has been invited back to premier the composer’s next opera La Caccia a la Volpe.

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 and Greenboro Symphonies.  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, and several concerts with Pacific Opera Company at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, NY.

Raised in Florida, Miss Valdes received her training at The New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL under the direction of Joy Davidson and Willie Waters. After further studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, PA.  

Ms. Valdes entered two vocal competitions where she won the Pacific Opera Scholarship Vocal Award and was a finalist in the NJ Alliance for the Performing Arts Vocal Competition.