Biography
Baritone Jeremiah Sanders is earning praise for “vocally powerful” (KDHX) performances and their “robust voice and a flair for comedy” (Herald Times) in classical and contemporary operatic repertoire. In the 2026-27 season, Sanders makes their highly anticipated debut in the title role of Falstaff with Heartbeat Opera in NYC. They also make their Austin Symphony debut in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti in Concert as a member of the Jazz Trio, directed by Jamie Bernstein. Sanders returns Cedar Rapids Opera as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd and Lyric Opera of the North with a role debut as Papageno in The Magic Flute. Sanders was invited to present a recital of American Opera at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 2026 and returns for another first, to sing the baritone soloist in Carmina Burana with the Chamber Singers of Iowa City.
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A HULK… WITH ROBUST VOICE AND A FLAIR FOR COMEDY… A NATURAL, SENSATIONALLY SO.
—Peter Jacobi
Previously, Sanders performed with the Lakes Area Music Festival, South Bend Lyric Opera, Opera Saratoga, Des Moines Metro Opera, Union Avenue Opera, and the symphony orchestras of Augusta, Indianapolis, Manchester (IN), Lima (OH), and Southeatern Iowa. A budding Verdi Baritone, Sanders's training has centered on an Italianate, Bel canto style. Their repertoire includes 25 roles across the canon. Notable previous roles include: Giorgio Germont in La traviata, Father in Hänsel und Gretel, and Gianni Schicchi in Gianni Schicchi. Sanders has a substantial interest in 20th and 21st century music, living composers, and composers of marginalized identities. They regularly workshop and premiere new operas and songs.
Sanders has found success on the vocal competition circuit, winning the Baritone Prize in the George Shirley Competition, the Kurt Weill Award in the Lotte Lenya Competition, securing district wins with the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in Kansas City and Indianapolis, as well as regional finalist in their Chicago competition, and taking first place in the Opera Ebony Voice Competition and the Friends of the Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition. A lifelong musician, Sanders grew up singing in church choir with their Madea (Great-Grandmother) in Marion, Indiana, and went on to study classical voice, earning a BA at Manchester University, MM at Butler University, and DM at Indiana University.