Boston-based soprano Mara Riley is recognized for her compelling musicality, having a particular affinity for both early music and art song. Her 2024-2025 season will include performances with the Boston Early Music Festival, Emmanuel Music, Boulder Bach Festival, Voces8 US Scholars, Colorado Bach Ensemble, and the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble, among others.

In 2023 she was chosen as the soprano fellow for Emmanuel Music’s Bach Institute, and was named first prize winner in the Colorado Bach Ensemble's Young Artist Competition. Additionally, in 2021 she was a top prize winner in Boulder Bach Festival's World Bach Competition. 

Mara was named winner of the 2024 Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra Collegiate Competition, and will appear as the soprano soloist in their performance of Handel's Messiah this year. Previously, she has appeared as soprano soloist in Messiah with Boulder Bach Festival's COmpass Resonance Ensemble, in Music Director Zachary Carrettin's performance edition for one-per-part vocal and instrumental soloists. In 2023, Mara appeared as soprano soloist in Handel’s Israel in Egypt with the Back Bay Chorale under the baton of Anthony Trecek-King.

Mara also finds great fulfillment in ensemble singing, and will collaborate with the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble as well as having been chosen as one of the Voces8 US Scholars for 2024/2025.

Mara recently completed a double Master of Music in Flute and Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory, in the studios of Paula Robison and Lisa Saffer. She holds a double BMus from the University of Colorado - Boulder.

When not practicing, she loves to be outside (bonus points if the sun is out) and can often be found hiking or backpacking in her home state of Colorado.