Biography
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. María Laetitia started her vocal formation at 12 years old. Later she obtained her Bachelor's in Arts degree at the University of Puerto Rico. In 2010 she graduated from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico obtaining her Artist Diploma degree in voice. After this she began her Master's Degree in Voice Performance at the prestigious school in New York City, Manhattan School of Music, under tha tutelage of the great baritone Mark Oswald, obtaining her degree in May 2012.
María Laetitia's operatic soloist work includes Despina (2011), composer W.A Mozart, Manhattan School of Music production, Lia (2011) from L'enfant prodigue, composer Claude Debussy, Ken Merrill Voice Seminar Manhattan School of Music, Rosa Gonzalez (2010) from Summer and Smoke, composer Lee Hoiby Manhattan School of Music production, Laetitia (2013) from The Old Maid and the Thief" with Florida Opera Theater, Annina (2014) from La Traviata with Orlando Philharmonic Opera Series, Barbarina cover (2015) from Le nozze di Figaro with Sarasota Apprentice Artist Program, Mimi cover (2016) from the opera La Bohème with Saint Petersburg Opera Company, Gianetta (2017) and Adina cover (2017) from Elisir d'Amore with Orlando Phiharmonic, Paige (2017) from Stop Bully with Opera Naples, Beatriz (2017) from La Hija de Rapaccini by Daniel Catán with Opera Naples, First Lady (2017) from Die Zauberflöte with Opera Naples, Carlotta (2019) from Gasparone with Middlebury German for Singers and Susanna (2019) from Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Orlando.
In Puerto Rico her operatic and zarzuela repertoire includes Zerlina (2011) (debut role) with Teatro de la Opera, singing beside Puerto Rican tenor and Operalia winner Joel Prieto. Pamina (2010) from Die Zauberflöte with the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, conducted by Roselín Pabón. Kate Pinkerton and cover Cio Cio San (2015) for Opera of Puerto Rico in the production of Madama Butterfly sharing the stage with renowed soprano Ana María Martínez and tenor Rafy Dávila. This same year María performed Asunción from zarzuela La del Manojo de Rosas. In 2019 María Laetitia performed the title role of Salud from La vida breve in the prestigious Festival Casals and Marquesita Estrella from zarzuela El Barberillo de Lavapiés with Ponce Lírico in 2019.
In adition to many roles performed for opera and zarzuela scenes, María Laetitia also have an extensive solo concert performances in Puerto Rico with the Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra Arturo Somohano of Puerto Rico and Pro-Arte Musical. In 2018 performed the soprano solo from Messiah by Handel with Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra. She adds concerts with Baroquelyn ensemble from Brooklyn New York, recital concerts with California State University San Bernandino, opening season concert with Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and concert with Lyric Opera Chicago (Lyric Unlimited) plus Puerto Rican Arts Alliance.
She also had the privilege to receive vocal training from different international venues: Israel, Italia, France and Germany. She had the amazing opportunity to work with, Joan Dornemann, Paul Nadler, Michel Sénéchal, Glenn Morton, Ubaldo Fabbri, Dona Vaungh, Chuck Hudson, Martha Collins, Nic Muni, Stephanie Sundine, Gilberto Valenzuela, Karl Hesser, Victor Derenzi, José de Eusebio, Israel Gursky, Steve Osgood, Mark Sforzini, Stella Zambalis, Richard Owens, Barbara Hunt, Eric Jacobsen, Nicolas Giusti, Bob Neu, Mary Birbaum, Alison Moritz, Anthony Salatino, Ramon Tebar, Masimiano Valdés, Roselín Pabon, Ricardo Irizarry, among others. She has participated in masterclasses with Martina Arroyo, John Fisher, Diana Soviero, Joan Dorneman and Renata Scotto.
María has been part of two important recordings. Música en Tiempos (2013) a musical special from Banco Popular of Puerto Rico and Summer and Smoke (2011) first recording of this opera by Lee Hoiby produce in Manhattan School of Music.
María Laetitia won first place in the Metropolitan National Council Auditions in Florida Disctrict, in the year 2013 and the following year 2014 as well.