San Francisco-born mezzo-soprano Hope Nelson received her Master of Music degree in May of this year from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with soprano Rhoslyn Jones. During her time at SFCM, she sang the role of Sesto in Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito on the main stage, as well as Sesto in Handel’s Giulio Cesare with the SFCM Baroque Ensemble, and Jeanette in Joseph Bologne’s L’amant Anonyme. She was thrilled to perform in masterclasses with Joyce DiDonato, Patricia Racette, and Martin Katz. Another highlight of the past year was receiving an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition.  She earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of British Columbia, where she was a recipient of the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow award and studied with soprano and director Nancy Hermiston. With the UBC Opera Ensemble, she performed as Nicklausse in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Third Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, and Madeleine in Kevin Puts' Silent Night. She was proud to represent UBC on tour in the Czech Republic, at Vancouver’s annual Bard on the Beach festival, and as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in their annual Traditional Christmas Concerts. She feels forever indebted to the artistic community at the Spindrift School of Performing Arts in Pacifica, California, that educated, supported, and raised her. She is a voracious consumer of art song, and an eager collaborator. She looks forward to starting her Artist Diploma at SFCM in the fall, and continuing her studies with Rhoslyn Jones. 

Hope will be receiving the Martha Marcks Mack Award.