From Puerto Rico to the World Stage: The Story of Estefanía Maldonado

Estefanía Maldonado, a Puerto Rican soprano, is a graduate of the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. Her talent and dedication have led her to perform on prestigious stages, building a promising artistic career.

In the summer of 2025, Estefanía made her European debut at the Trentino Music Festival in Italy, performing Oberto in Handel’s Alcina and Echo in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. There, she worked with renowned stage directors José María Condemi and David Gately, conductors Neal Goren and Arthur Fagen, and received mentorship from celebrated soprano Marina Costa-Jackson.

Her training includes experiences at the Canto Vocal Programs (2022, 2023), where she sang Sorella Infermiera in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and participated in numerous gala concerts. At the Conservatory, she was an active member of the opera theatre, performing scenes from Le nozze di Figaro, L’elisir d’amore, and Die Zauberflöte, as well as Laurette in Bizet’s Le Docteur Miracle. She also premiered the art song La Dolce Vita by A. Guidobaldi.

She has participated in masterclasses with world-class artists such as Elīna Garanča, Justino Díaz, and Lisette Oropesa, and has received educational scholarships to further her training, including support from the Kinesis Foundation, which also gave her the opportunity to perform at the organization’s Annual Gala, showcasing her voice as a symbol of Puerto Rican young talent.

Her early musical experiences include performances with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra in its annual holiday concert Reyando con la Sinfónica, as well as in consecutive productions of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Escuela Libre de Música in Caguas.

Her European debut was made possible thanks to the invaluable support of Alexandra Viso, a Kinesis Gala board member, who believed in her potential and contributed to her training. During the festival in Italy, Estefanía experienced weeks of intensive rehearsals, private lessons, masterclasses, and concerts, culminating in her performance of “Son pochi fiori” from Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz at the festival’s final gala.

Back in Puerto Rico, she continues her vocal training with soprano Zulimar López while preparing for auditions for young artist programs, master’s degrees, and international competitions. In October 2025, she will join the Olga Iglesias Project to present workshops for students across Puerto Rico, highlighting Puerto Rican cultural music, opera, and the legacy of our great classical singers. On November 1, 2025, she will reach a milestone in her career by debuting at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, in the Puerto Rico district.

“Thanks to the trust and support of Kinesis, and its belief in my potential, I have been able to pursue my musical dreams with determination and a strong support network behind me.”

– Estefanía Maldonado