Khayakazi Madlala

Soprano Khayakazi Madlala hails from Matatiele, South Africa. She trained at the Gauteng Opera Academy with Marcus Desando and Emma Rienzi and at the NWU Conservatory with Conroy Cupido and has participated in masterclasses at the Guildhall School. Her awards include the Audience and Andrea Catzel prizes at the 2020 Voices of South Africa competition. Her solo engagements include: Mimì (La bohème) at the Johannesburg Theatre and Durban Playhouse, opera scenes with Gauteng Opera and The Sacrifice by Dada Masilo (Brazil). Concert engagements include appearances at Mälmo Opera House, Sweden, and Starlight Classics with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2024 she participated in the Renée Fleming Song Studio, and she also joined the Opera for Peace Academy, with coachings from artists including Thomas Hampson, Lawrence Brownlee, Sumi Jo, Kamal Khan and Brian Jagde. She is currently studying at North-West University. She makes her Royal Opera debut in the 2024/25 Season as High Priestess (Aida).