Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Brea. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Growing up in a violent slum in Caracas, Venezuela, my father, a music teacher, guitarist, and Cuatro player, made sure that my sister and I always had music and books. He encouraged us to listen to all kinds of music, from our traditional music to jazz and classical. When I was 11 years old, I had to do a project (a PowerPoint presentation) for my school’s computer lab, and because my dad worked at a music school called Johann Sebastian Bach, I chose this composer for my project. I needed some music to accompany the presentation, and he brought me a CD of cantatas that changed my life! I told him, “Papá, I want to be an opera singer,” and that’s when I knew this was my lifelong artistic path.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Maria Brea, and I’ve had the great privilege of crafting my journey as an opera singer, while staying deeply connected to my roots. Growing up in Venezuela, I was immersed in the world of folk music from a young age, thanks to my father, who played the Cuatro. It was from these humble yet meaningful beginnings that I developed my passion for music. As I matured as an artist, my journey took me to The Juilliard School, where I became the first Venezuelan singer to attend to this school.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, from Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera to Palais Garnier in Paris. My voice has taken me across North America and beyond, and I’ve been blessed to be able to bring a wide variety of roles to life. One of the key aspects of my career has been versatility—whether it’s singing Micaëla from *Carmen* or the First Lady in *Die Zauberflöte*, I relish the challenge and the diversity of storytelling that opera provides.

What sets me apart, I believe, is the fusion of my Venezuelan musical heritage with my classical training as well as growing up in a very humble household. My upbringing has given me a unique emotional depth and connection to music, and I channel that into my performances. As an artist, my goal is not just to showcase technical skill but to deeply move my audience with every performance and to showcase music and composers that have not been heard. Opera has the power to evoke profound emotions, and that’s what I strive to bring to every role I sing.

In addition to performing, I also teach, which is incredibly rewarding. I’ve been fortunate to work with talented students across the globe, from New York City to Japan, helping them realize their own musical potential. My teaching is about more than vocal technique—I work with students on musical expression, stage presence, and confidence, preparing them for competitions and some of my studented have been alreasy accepted at prestigious institutions such as Juilliard, Royal College, Manhattan School of Music and the Royal Academy.

One of my proudest moments was representing Venezuela in the 2022 Operalia Competition as the first Venezuelan woman to make it there and making it to the finals of the Paris Competition that same year. These experiences, alongside being a finalist in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, are highlights of my career, but they also motivate me to continue pushing boundaries.

As I look ahead, I’m thrilled about my upcoming performances, including my debut in *La Traviata* as Violetta in 2024, as well as singing Ana Maria in *El Zorro* with San Jose Opera and Arizona Opera. I’m passionate about what I do, and I hope to keep connecting with audiences, students, and music lovers on this incredible journey.

Ultimately, I want my followers and fans to know that my work is deeply personal and comes from a place of love—that Music saved my life and took me out of the violent turmoil that my country is currently going through and that it gave me the opportunity to have a path.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to continue amplifying Latin American voices within the world of classical music. I believe it is equally important to highlight classical composers from this region as it is to celebrate composers from any other tradition. I am also passionate about supporting other Latine artists working in the USA. In 2020, I co-created the platform Latina Women in Opera, which embodies this mission—one that is central to my life as an artist, beyond my roles as an opera singer and teacher.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

From my perspective, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to connect deeply with people through music and re-invent yourself . Whether it’s opera, folk music from Venezuelan roots, or any other form, each performance is an opportunity to share emotions, tell stories, and bring beauty into the world. As a teacher for me it is incredibly fulfilling to see students grow in their artistry, helping them discover their own voices and watching them shine on stage. Every performance and every lesson is a chance to inspire and be inspired.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Mariabreasoprano.com
• Instagram: @mariabreasoprano
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariaferbrea?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar%C3%ADa-brea-a9a596169
• Twitter: @breamafer
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mariabreasoprano?si=OZLAdU905o28pFEP
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0O4pn3hZqh6uYv6b7gpZ9U?si=Cxi3V2OQS1GMglk9eH3bpA