Biography

Cassi Irene Gardner is an American soprano originally from Amarillo, Texas. She has performed with companies such as Houston Grand Opera (Marina, Katie the Strongest of the Strong, 23-24), Amarillo Opera (Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi, 2024) and the Lubbock Symphony (Haydn Creation, 2023). She was a recent recipient of the San Francisco District Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (2023), as well as a semi-finalist in the MIOpera International Vocal Competition (2023). Previous roles include Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, Laurette in Le Docteur Miracle, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, and La Fee in Cinderella. On top of actively performing, she is passionate about teaching and encouraging the minds/voices of future artists. She is an active vocal consultant for the Houston School of Performing and Visual Arts and currently contracted as a “Teaching Artist” with Houston Grand Opera’s Community and Outreach for the 24-25 season. She received her Masters of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (2023) and Bachelors of Music at Oklahoma City University in Vocal Performance (2020).