Kali Hardwick is an American soprano currently based in Basel, Switzerland.
Kali was born in San Francisco to an artistic family. Her childhood was shaped by her love of every medium of art, and she won multiple awards in school for her singing, drawing, and writing. Kali spent much of her adolescence creating elaborate shows, and sang anything from show tunes to rock ballads to operas composed on the spot, inspired by the mood of the day. Music was always an important part of life, and it was clear from a young age that I would be a famous rock star. Maybe pop star. The important part was “star.”
Despite her love of music, Kali knew nothing about opera when she began her studies at Fullerton College. She had spent most of her teenage years writing poetry, short stories, and even starting a novel. Her main interest was exploring humanity and finding new ways to express the range of emotions she witnessed and experienced. It became clear very quickly that this love of the human experience translated easily to the stage.
Kali received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Long Beach, where she was honoured as the Outstanding Graduate of the Arts Colleges. During her studies, Kali performed lead roles in several operas, including L’elisir d’amore (Adina) and Cherubin (L’Ensolleiad). She also loved her time as a member of CSULB’s award winning chamber choir. During her final year of studies, the choir traveled to Whales, where they competed for—and won—the title of Choir of the World at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen. This trip to the UK sparked Kali’s interest in studying abroad. She then moved to London, where she received a master’s in voice from the Royal Academy of Music.
During her first year in London, Kali was a finalist for the Richard Lewis/Jean Shanks award at Royal Academy. She was also awarded first prize in the 2018 Dean & Chadlington Festival Singing Competition. Her love of the stage caused her to persue as many performance opportunities as possible. During the summer of 2018, Kali debuted the role of Contessa Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro) at the Dartington Summer Festival, under the baton of Timothy Redmond. The following spring, Kali performed the title role in Handel’s Partenope with Hampstead Garden Opera. In 2019, Kali was a member of Atelier Lyrique at the Verbier Festival, where she studied with Thomas Quasthoff, Thomas Hampson, and Barbara Frittoli.
For the 2019/2020 and 20/21 seasons, Kali joined the opera studio, OperAvenir, at Theater Basel. There she performed roles such as Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), Anna (Intermezzo), and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), where she was praised for her captivating interpretations. She concluded the 20/21 season by making her debut as Pamina (Die Zauberflöte). Over the next year, Kali performed Pamina twenty times as a member of the ensemble for the 21/22 season at Theater Basel.
In December 2021, Kali was chosen as a finalist for the Permiere Opera Foundation’s vocal competition, where recieved an encouragement award.
Kali Hardwick is an American soprano currently based in Basel, Switzerland.
Kali was born in San Francisco to an artistic family. Her childhood was shaped by her love of every medium of art, and she won multiple awards in school for her singing, drawing, and writing. Kali spent much of her adolescence creating elaborate shows, and sang anything from show tunes to rock ballads to operas composed on the spot, inspired by the mood of the day. Music was always an important part of life, and it was clear from a young age that I would be a famous rock star. Maybe pop star. The important part was “star.”
Despite her love of music, Kali knew nothing about opera when she began her studies at Fullerton College. She had spent most of her teenage years writing poetry, short stories, and even starting a novel. Her main interest was exploring humanity and finding new ways to express the range of emotions she witnessed and experienced. It became clear very quickly that this love of the human experience translated easily to the stage.
Kali received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Long Beach, where she was honoured as the Outstanding Graduate of the Arts Colleges. During her studies, Kali performed lead roles in several operas, including L’elisir d’amore (Adina) and Cherubin (L’Ensolleiad). She also loved her time as a member of CSULB’s award winning chamber choir. During her final year of studies, the choir traveled to Whales, where they competed for—and won—the title of Choir of the World at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen. This trip to the UK sparked Kali’s interest in studying abroad. She then moved to London, where she received a master’s in voice from the Royal Academy of Music.
During her first year in London, Kali was a finalist for the Richard Lewis/Jean Shanks award at Royal Academy. She was also awarded first prize in the 2018 Dean & Chadlington Festival Singing Competition. Her love of the stage caused her to persue as many performance opportunities as possible. During the summer of 2018, Kali debuted the role of Contessa Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro) at the Dartington Summer Festival, under the baton of Timothy Redmond. The following spring, Kali performed the title role in Handel’s Partenope with Hampstead Garden Opera. In 2019, Kali was a member of Atelier Lyrique at the Verbier Festival, where she studied with Thomas Quasthoff, Thomas Hampson, and Barbara Frittoli.
For the 2019/2020 and 20/21 seasons, Kali joined the opera studio, OperAvenir, at Theater Basel. There she performed roles such as Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), Anna (Intermezzo), and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), where she was praised for her captivating interpretations. She concluded the 20/21 season by making her debut as Pamina (Die Zauberflöte). Over the next year, Kali performed Pamina twenty times as a member of the ensemble for the 21/22 season at Theater Basel.
In December 2021, Kali was chosen as a finalist for the Permiere Opera Foundation’s vocal competition, where recieved an encouragement award.