Veena Akama-Makia

Cameroonian-Ugandan-American mezzo-soprano Veena Akama-Makia is a former Jette Parker Artist (2023–25). She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the young artist programmes at Chicago Opera Theater and San Francisco Opera. For Chicago Opera Theater, roles included Nancy (Albert Herring), Kendra (The Cook-Off), Tawny Betty (Quamino’s Map) and Tree Spirit (The Beekeeper). For San Francisco Opera, roles included Third Lady (Die Zauberflöte) and soloist in the Merola Grand Finale. For The Royal Opera she has performed Annina (La traviata), Mércèdes (Carmen), Ines (Il trovatore), Herdswoman (Jenůfa), Giovanna (Rigoletto), Zweite Magd (Elektra), Kate Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly), La Mère (Larmes de couteau) and The Queen (Full Moon in March). Recent highlights also include her Royal Philharmonic debut and role debut as Marta in a concert performance of Iolanta. She was the 2022 Encouragement Award winner from the Laffont Competition Illinois District and won the Virginia Cooper Maier Award in the 2022 Musicians Club of Women Vocal Competition.