Soprano Kelli Van Meter (they/she) has been critically acclaimed for the “dramatic power” and “searing high notes” they bring to their interpretations of some of the most iconic heroines in the soprano repertoire. For their performance of Suor Angelica, their most frequently sung role, they were praised for their “innocent vulnerability” and “impressive vocal command” (KC Metropolis). As a consummate musician and colleague, they recently made an exhilarating debut with the Kansas City Symphony as the soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah with under 6 hours notice.

​

In the 2023/24 season, Kelli starts their tenure as the Soprano Resident Artist at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. There, they will sing Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music, Woglinde and Waldvogel in The Journey to Valhalla, and Mother in Sketchbook for Ollie, as well as covering Nedda (Pagliacci), Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana), and Juliette (Roméo et Juliette). They will also create the role of Querulous String in the world premiere of Rosabella Gregory and Dina Gregory’s opera, The Haberdasher Prince. 

 

Other previous roles include Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Elle (La Voix Humaine), Violetta (La traviata), Alice Ford (Falstaff), Arminda (La finta giardiniera), Judith (Bluebeard’s Castle), Plaintiff (Trial by Jury), and Daughter (Strawberry Fields).  Kelli has also performed excerpts as Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), and The Marschallin (Der Rosenkavalier).  

 

​

A dedicated advocate for queer artistry and representation, Kelli collaborated with the Charlotte Street Foundation in Kansas City appearing on their New Music Compositions concert in May 2023, which showcased the work of four queer composers. Kelli’s dynamic artistry has also led to several competition wins. They were the 1st prize voice division winner in the 2019 Naftzger Young Artist Competition as well as the 1st prize winner of the UMKC Chancellor’s Competition. They have been a featured soloist with the Hastings Symphony Orchestra and the UMKC Orchestra, where they sang Berg’s Sieben Frühen Lieder at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. 

 

​

Kelli holds degrees from Hastings College, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, where they studied with Maria Kanyova. They completed their two-year appointment as Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s Soprano Apprentice Artist in 2021, a program that partners with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

 

​

Kelli is currently based in Kansas City with their partner, mezzo-soprano Emily Stott and their three cats, Morris, Marietta, and Bonnie. In their spare time, Kelli enjoys being outside, reading a good book, and game nights with friends.