Riley Cardona

Soprano Riley Cardona is a South Dakota native. She is at home singing a wide range of repertoire from Mozart and Handel to Donizetti, Puccini, and Verdi. She has performed leading roles with Florida Grand Opera and Sarasota Opera in Florida and possesses degrees from South Dakota State University and Indiana University in music education and vocal performance. 

Since moving to Minneapolis in 2015, Riley has been heard as a soloist with many musical organizations, including the Schubert Club, the Kenwood Symphony, St. John’s Lutheran Church, South Metro Chorale, Bethel University, Orpheus Music Project, A Voice and a Piano, SongSLAM, and Source Song Festival. A sought after singer for new music, Riley created the role of Merciful Spirit in Craig Carnahan’s Requiem for Frankie Silver for the world premiere in November 2022. In April 2023 she produced and performed in the second annual concert for A Voice and a Piano, which this year was a cabaret of American song featuring selections from the art song and musical theater repertoire. Riley runs a successful private voice studio in Fridley, MN and is Director of Music Ministries for Champlin United Methodist Church.