Sophie Patterson is a mixed-race mezzo-soprano from Southern California with African American heritage, known for her expressive artistry and versatility on stage. She recently earned her Master of Arts from the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying under Raymond Connell, following two years at the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot with renowned baritone Vladimir Chernov.
In her last year in Paris, she received two prizes: Special Prize from the Ise-Shima Art Committee International Singing Competition and Second Prize from The Open de Musique du Cap Ferret, Festival Competition. Sophie also holds a Bachelor of Music from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.
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​​She is currently an Alvarez Emerging Artist for Garsington Opera’s 2025 season and has recently performed as the Alto Soloist in Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Truro Choral Society and Elgar’s Sea Pictures with the Penzance Orchestral Society. Other recent roles include Mrs. Herring in Albert Herring with Royal Academy Opera, Die Mutter and Die Hexe in Hänsel und Gretel with Hampstead Garden Opera, Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito in Paris, and Gertrud in Hänsel und Gretel with the Berlin Opera Academy. At UCLA, she appeared in several opera premieres, including Akeidah, Lost Childhood, and Juana.
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Sophie frequently collaborates with pianist and duo partner Siyuan Xu, including a recent performance at the British Library, and has appeared as a mezzo-soprano soloist in Bernstein’s Songfest and the premiere of Peter Golub’s The Gorey Songs.
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Her training has been shaped by summer programs such as Berlin Opera Academy, Teatro Nuovo, and The International Vocal Arts Academy of Payerbach, as well as masterclasses with Lisette Oropesa, Jennifer Larmore, Michelle DeYoung, Vladimir Chernov, and Will Crutchfield.
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Beyond music, Sophie enjoys practicing karate, salsa dancing, improvisation, cooking, and playwriting.
