Taos Opera Institute (TOI) proudly presents the fourth annual Winter Warmup for Summer Song, featuring two extraordinary New Mexico artists and TOI favorites: 2018 TOI Alumna and rising international soprano Lydia Grindatto, joined by acclaimed collaborative pianist Nathan Salazar.

Thanks to the generous underwriting of Kandace Nachtrab, all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit TOI’s 2026 Student Scholarship Fund.

Spotlight on Lydia Grindatto

A native of Tijeras and 2024 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Grand Finals Winner, Lydia is rapidly becoming one of opera’s most exciting young voices. She is also an Alumna of TOI, 2018; the first to be presented in one of our Benefit Concerts.

Recent and upcoming highlights include her European debut as Léonore in Le trouvère (Wexford Festival Opera), role debuts at San Diego Opera (Carmen) and Utah Opera (La traviata), and performances with the Columbus Symphony. Recent seasons have featured major company debuts, standout roles at the Academy of the Arts, and training with Merola Opera Program and Santa Fe Opera.

Spotlight on Nathan Salazar

Santa Fe native Nathan Salazar is known for his exceptional musicianship and collaborations with world-renowned artists, including Teresa Berganza, Susan Graham, and Cecilia Violetta López. He treated audiences in Taos last October (2024) in a concert featuring Mezzo-Soprano, Olga Perez Flora (TOI Faculty), and yours truly at First Presbyterian Church. Salazar enchanted us yet again in January of this year for our most recent Winter Warmup for Summer Song Benefit Concert at the TCA alongside Tenor, Jamie Flora (also a TOI Faculty member). We are thrilled to have him back under TOI auspices.

Nate’s operatic work spans San Francisco Opera, LA Opera, Opera Colorado, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Southwest, and Boston Lyric Opera, including innovative productions such as The Handmaid’s Tale. Nathan has also taught at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and the University of New Mexico.

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