A Celebration of Voice
Isabel Leonard performs with the Asheville Symphony during artist residency.
The Asheville Symphony will welcome three-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Isabel Leonard to western North Carolina for its 2026 Artist Residency, “A Celebration of Voice,” set for March 16-23.
This marks the second biennial artist residency, which is designed to bring world-class artistry into the community in a more immersive format than a traditional guest appearance. Following the success of its inaugural residency in 2024, the Symphony is centering this season’s program on the expressive power of the human voice.
Leonard, one of opera’s most in-demand performers, has appeared in leading roles at major international houses, including The Metropolitan Opera and as a featured artist at Carnegie Hall. Her 2025-26 season includes a return to the Metropolitan Opera in Bizet’s Carmen and appearances in productions across the United States and Europe. In Asheville, her residency will span performances, educational events, and community engagement.
The residency opened Monday, March 16 with a free kickoff event in The Barrel Room at Wicked Weed Funkatorium. Leonard will present a voice recital Tuesday, March 17 at First Baptist Church of Asheville with pianist John Arida, featuring traditional Spanish songs and selections by Georges Bizet, Xavier Montsalvatge, and Federico García Lorca.
Educational programming included a free guest lecture Friday, March 20 at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville, presented by Dr. Dean Southern of the Cleveland Institute of Music, exploring the role of the voice in musical expression across history.
Leonard will take the stage with the Symphony on Saturday, March 21 for “Masterworks 5: Nightingale,” with performances at 2 and 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Asheville. The program includes Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915,” highlights from West Side Story, and works by Bizet, Manuel de Falla, and Gabriela Lena Frank.
The residency concludes Monday, March 23 with a collaboration between Leonard and the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra at Asheville High School Auditorium, featuring American repertoire and a special appearance by the Asheville Youth Choirs.
Tickets are available online at AshevilleSymphony.org, by phone at (828) 254-7046, or in person at the Symphony’s box office, 27 College Place, Suite 100.
Isabel Leonard – “Una voce poco fa”
Rossini – Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, “All’idea di quel metallo”
