Kayla Fuentes

Kayla Fuentes is a mezzo-soprano, vocal pedagogue, and quirky theatre teacher from Starkville, Mississippi, where her passion for music and singing found its roots. She joins MSA as Director of Education and Community Engagement as she returns for her “reprise” role in Mississippi.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Mississippi College (2014) under the guidance of Meridian native, Dr. Kristen Johnson-Gunn. She then went on to graduate from Manhattan School of Music with a Master of Music: Classical Vocal Performance (2016), under the tutelage of Mignon Dunn.

While in New York, Kayla found herself called to inspire, motivate, and entertain. Upon graduation, she invested her musical talent and passion back into the community while working for Opera America’s outreach program as their Education Assistant. She taught voice and piano at Larchmont Music Academy for 5 years working with students of all ages. She thrived as an acting coach, and voice instructor for Manhattan School of Music summer program for 6 years and had the honor to perform on many great stages in NYC. She has joyfully spent the majority of her 8 years in New York combining performance and educational outreach to re-energize the allure of the musical arts.

Kayla looks forward to continuing her passion for education, performing, and music at MSA. She wishes to excite young minds, peak the interest of the musical weary, and maintain a current and future audience of music goers for years to come.