ABOUT

Norwegian-American soprano Lauren Stokke is a Kansas City–based artist whose path to singing has always been intertwined with identity, empathy, and healing. Rooted in her Norwegian heritage, she feels a deep calling to share and expand awareness of Scandinavian song and opera—carrying forward a tradition that resonates profoundly with her own voice and story. Growing up in a blended cultural household offered Lauren a wide lens on the world, teaching her openness and compassion that now infuse her artistry.

 

Described as a performer of “stunning stage presence” and “agile, expressive vocal production,” Lauren is recognized for her versatility across a broad range of operatic and recital repertoire. Most recently, she appeared as Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen with the Bay View Conservatory and in the title role of Rusalka with Philadelphia’s LAH-SOW program. She will soon revisit Despina in Mozart’s Così fan tutte with Greater Opera of Chicago. Other notable performances include Pamina in Die Zauberflöte (UMKC Conservatory Opera), Anna Maurrant in Street Scene (Varna International), and Helena in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Miami Music Festival).

 

Lauren views the stage not only as a place for self-expression, but as a space for connection and renewal. Through her own personal journey, music has been both refuge and restoration—a constant source of strength through times of struggle. This deep understanding fuels her work as an advocate for the therapeutic power of music, particularly among the elderly. She leads a choir for residents at a local assisted-living home and engages in one-on-one musical sessions with patients experiencing dementia and memory loss. In these moments, Lauren witnesses firsthand how music transcends barriers, awakening recognition, joy, and presence—reminding each listener of their own story.

 

Lauren holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the UMKC Conservatory, where she studied with Dr. Aidan Soder, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis. Her recent mentors include Luke Housner, Dr. Everett McCorvey, Gregory Buchalter, Mo Zhou, Daniel Fung, Dr. Marc Callahan, and Manny Perez.

​

A passionate performer and compassionate communicator, Lauren continues to explore the intersection of artistry and humanity—where voice becomes not only sound, but solace. Whether on stage or in community spaces, she seeks to create moments of genuine connection through song—moments where beauty, memory, and meaning meet.