KELLY GUERRA, mezzo-soprano, SongFest alumna ‘11, ‘14, ‘15, &
ALEXANDRA SMITHER, soprano, SongFest alumna ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘17

Beautiful artists with heart, soul, and a conscience is how we at SongFest would describe both Ally Smither, soprano and Kelly Guerra, mezzo. Whether it is Ms. Smither who is actively taking part in issues like redistricting and helping to make sure people can vote with ease, or Ms. Guerra who is raising awareness and funds for detained immigrants at the border, we are proud of these two SongFest alums who are making their mark on the world one song at a time, and one project at a time.

What will the Legacy of the 21st Century be for Art Song?

As a first-generation American and native of Southern California, Kelly Guerra is passionate about producing projects that raise awareness and monetary aid for detained immigrants in the USA as well as performing contemporary music that speaks to today’s issues. She holds a D.M.A from UC Santa Barbara, her master’s in music from the Bard College Conservatory, and her bachelor’s from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she graduated with an award of Vocal Excellence. Summer 2021 Kelly was an apprentice at Chautauqua Opera Company, where she starred in the role of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg. In the Fall of 2021, Kelly will sing Lupita in Cruzar la Cara de la Luna with Opera Santa Barbara, directed by Octavio Cardenas. She will be touring in the cast of Iphigenia by Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding this season. In March 2022 Guerra will premiere Katherine Balch’s Cantata for Orchestra and 3 Voices with the California Symphony.

A firecracker performer, soprano Alexandra Smither is a creative force to be reckoned with. From the thorniest contemporary scores to the lyricism of Mozart, Ms. Smither brings her consummate artistry and searing intellect to every engagement. During the 2021-2022 season, Ms. Smither sings Iphigenia #1 in Wayne Shorter and esperanza spalding’s new opera Iphigenia at MASSMoCA, ArtsEmerson, The Kennedy Center, Cal Performances at UC Berkeley, and The Broad Stage in Los Angeles as well as her debut with California Symphony as the soloist in Katherine Balch’s Illuminate (rescheduled from 2020) and a return to Ars Lyrica to sing Belinda in Dido and Aeneas.

When she isn’t singing, Alexandra enjoys cooking for large crowds and drinking natural wine with her husband, bassistAustin Lewellen. Passionate about systems change and advocacy, she also works forHouston in Action, an organization that strengthens and grows community-led civic participation and organizing culture in the Houston region. Additionally, she is a volunteer withWest Street Recovery, a non-profit working to rebuild homes affected by disasters, and is an organizer withStop TxDOT I-45, an organization opposing the unjust expansion of Houston’s I-45 freeway.