Hailed for her multifaceted artistry on and off stage, Mezzo-Soprano, Dana Kinney, is celebrated for her authentic storytelling and captivating performances with “a warm and clear tone.” She’s performed operatic repertoire, nationally and abroad, for over 15 years, as well as symphonic works, art song and musical theatre. Her notable roles include Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti, Carmen and Mercédès in Carmen, Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte, Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, Tisbe in La Cenerentola and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. During the 2026/27 season, Ms. Kinney makes her role debut as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with West Virginia Symphony.

Ms. Kinney is a passionate advocate for the development of new work and innovative performances, collaborating with composers, librettists and producers in Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York City. In her home state of Colorado, she originated the role of They in Nathan Hall’s Atlas and the Remote Islands, participated in an immersive opera presented in Denver parks and co-created an improv opera project in northern Colorado. During her residency with Pittsburgh Opera, she served as assistant director on the world premieres of Time to Act and Woman with Eyes Closed and directed The Blue Fairy, a new workby composer, Robert Frankenberry, with Pittsburgh based ensemble, Aria 412. This season, she continues her collaboration with composer Don DiNicola, developing the role of Rae in Vespa, a Girl and Her Pet Wasp, with performances in New York City.

In addition to her work in opera, Ms. Kinney is an accomplished actor, writer and comedian. Her performance credits span feature films, commercials, short films, and live improv and sketch comedy. She holds an M.M in Voice Performance from Colorado State University and a B.A in Music with a Theatre minor from University of Northern Colorado, and has pursued further training at The Barrow Group, Upright Citizens Brigade, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Rise Comedy.