Esther Rayo

Esther Rayo is a lyric soprano based in San Francisco who’s best known for her heartfelt performances of Classical Spanish repertoire, though her musical talents stretch across opera, baroque, oratorio, sacred music, and art song. Born in California, she’s deeply connected to Spanish music and language, and her journey into Spanish art song began in college with the works of Manuel Obradors. She’s studied under notable teachers like David Burnakus and Ruth Ann Swenson at Sonoma State University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, and later completed her Master of Music at DePaul University in Chicago, where she made a critically acclaimed debut in the title role of Puccini’s Suor Angelica.

Rayo has performed widely, including European debuts in Italy, collaborations with groups like Circa1600 and Sonoma Bach, and as a featured soloist with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. She’s also passionate about community engagement, working with organizations like LaMusArt to support underserved Latino youth. Her recent album Estrellita, made with pianist Peter Grünberg, celebrates Spanish and Latin American song cycles and marks a major milestone in her career. Rayo continues to be a vibrant presence in the classical music scene, both on stage and as a board member for Sonoma Bach.

Genres