Salvadoran-American coloratura soprano Sarah Rosales is notably known for her performance of the U.S national anthem for the 7th Democratic Presidential Debate in the 2020 election cycle. The event led her to make history, becoming the first Salvadoran individual to sing on CNN LIVE International. Opera career highlights include covering the role Isabella Stewart Gardner in the world premiere of Damien Geter’s American Apollo (Des Moines Metro Opera), Belle (Beauty & the Beast, Des Moines Metro Opera’s Opera Iowa program), & Lauretta/Nan Wood Graham (Gianni Schicchi/American Gothical, Cedar Rapids Opera).
In spring of 2025, Sarah premiered a new art song by Dr. Maria Thompson Corley titled “Dreams” at The George Shirley Vocal Competition as part of her commission award won during the 2024 competition cycle, generously sponsored by Grammy Award winning soprano Karen Slack. In summer of 2025 she appears as a resident artist with The Glimmerglass Festival, performing as Alícia in the world premiere of The House on Mango Street by Derek Bermel and Sandra Cisneros, and in the ensemble of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress.
In addition to opera, Sarah frequently performs musical theater, pop, and cumbia repertoire. She is the recipient of numerous awards at the district and regional levels of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, and has received awards from organizations including Opera Mississippi, The Schubert Club, National Society of Arts & Letters, Musicians Club of Women, the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota/the Dakotas, & The George Shirley Vocal Competition.
Social media: @sarahraerosalesofficial
Photo by Miles Fritz Photography