Japanese-American mezzo soprano Hanna Frampton recently received her Masters Degree at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where she studied under Ms. Nova Thomas. In the early spring of 2026, she performed the title role of Lucrezia by William Bolcom directed by Paul Curran and under the baton of Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Shortly after, she joined the prestigious Nashville BelCanto Foundation for a two week residency working with metropolitan coach Stefano Baldasseroni. She also sang Die Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Rice University Opera Fall 2025 under the baton of Louis Lohraseb and Director R.B Schlather. . Known for her sensitive musicality and warm, shimmering voice, she aims to make genuine connections with her music to inspire her fellow humans.

 

In the last academic year, Ms. Frampton sang a staged performance as Wellgunde directed by Ryan and Tonya McKinney as a part of the Aleko Series at The Shepherd School of Music. She then performed as a member of The Ghost Quartet in the Rice production of The Ghosts of Versailles directed by Patricia Racette and conducted by Ben Manis. This past summer, she sang as Mercédès in Carmen and Olga in The Merry Widow with Opera in the Ozarks. Ms. Frampton made her professional debut in Houston, Texas as The Resident in the chamber opera Breath of Life with Lone Star Lyric in the Summer 2024. She then made her international debut as Die Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte in Graz, Austria. Previous Rice University performances include The Sorceress in concert production.

 

Ms. Frampton won third prize at The Benjamin Matthew’s Vocal Competition. A current member of the DACAMERA Young Artist Program, she is also well-versed in recital work, performing and collaborating with composers in chamber works, song composition, and chamber opera. She completed her Bachelor of Music at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under Ms. Nova Thomas. In her time outside of music, Hanna loves to spend time with her sweet cat, Goose, knit socks for the holidays and cook dishes from her Belizean and Japanese heritage. She comes from Jacksonville, Florida and enjoys sipping on sweet tea anytime of the year.