About Cailin
A soprano comfortable in both classical music and musical theatre, Cailin Smith dares to lean into the uncomfortable, use music as a mode of advocacy, and educate young audiences. Cailin is a passionate champion of new music in both classical and musical theatre styles. Cailin is the founder of Voice of Iris, a company committed to staging vocal works for treble voices. Cailin is also a passionate educator dedicated to helping singers of all ages embrace their unique voices.
Cailin’s performances have taken her to Florence, Italy and across the East Coast. She places importance on connecting with her audience, whether her job is to provide an escape, provoke an uncomfortable conversation, educate, or a combination of the three. She particularly seeks out projects that include works by and about women and gender non-conforming individuals, modern and historical; the perception of mental health explored through music; liminal spaces and phases of life; and Irish language, culture, and history. In recital, Cailin strives to program works that are not frequently heard. She is primarily passionate about new music and loves working with composers to bring new stories to life.
Cailin holds her Master of Music degree from the Longy School of Music where she studied with Dr. Dana Lynne Varga. She was also a participant in MassOpera's Artist in Training program for the 2022-23 academic year. Upcoming projects include a cast album recording of Angels of the House composed by Shambhavi Mishra with librettist Sophie Carpenter and the inaugural performance of her newly-founded company Voice of Iris. Recent highlights include her professional debut in the role of First Spirit in MassOpera’s 2023 production The Magic Flute: Retold; becoming a member of the Lilith Vocal Ensemble, featured in the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons; Longy’s Divergent Studio; James Kallembach's Antigone; and as the titular character in Libby Larsen's The Silver Fox.
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Cailin is also an avid choral singer. Some highlights include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Verdi’s Requiem collaborations with the Dickinson College Choir and the Hershey Symphony Orchestra; and programs with Baroque and contemporary pieces with the Handel Choir of Baltimore and the Chandos Singers.
A lifelong creative writer, Cailin enjoys her expanding opportunities as a librettist. Libretto credits include: Where They Hide, composed by E. Isaiah Hopper, a song cycle for soprano, viola, bass, flute, and clarinet; Trio for the End of Time, composed by Paige Burke, and No Weekends, composed by Joi Harper, two micro-operas; and The Ninth Wave, a new opera to be premiered in May 2025.
As an educator, Cailin has been praised for instilling confidence in students, providing a safe space for students to explore, and for creating innovative and educationally sound programming. With a wealth of experience in the education field, Cailin is equally comfortable in front of a classroom, in a studio, and in informal education settings such as museums and outreach programs. She holds a Master of Music from the Longy School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music – Vocal Performance and Anthropology from Dickinson College. Cailin currently studies with Dr. Dana Lynne Varga. Previous teachers include: Dr. Corrine Byrne, James Martin, Jonathan Hays, and Rebecca Rossello.