Born in the wild Pacific Northwest and originally beginning her musical journey as a violinist, German-American mezzo-soprano Siena Licht Miller’s vivacious stage presence and curiosity for daring repertoire has propelled her into the world of both opera and concert, from the stages of Carnegie Hall to the mosques of Istanbul, Turkey.

In August 2022 she was invited to join Opernhaus Zürich as a soloist, where her assignments this season include Offenbach’s Barkouf (Périzade), Salome (Page), Lakmé (Mallika), and the title role in Xerxes. On the concert stage, she will perform La clemenza di Tito (Annio) in Munich and Prague in association with Opéra Monte-Carlo and staring Cecelia Bartoli as Sesto. In June of 2023, she will sing in Chicago Antonín Dvořák’s Stabat Mater with Grant Park Symphony.

Siena’s joy in cross-discipline collaboration has led to gratifying partnerships with both choreographic and visual arts organizations. She joined forces with Ballett Zürich and Orchestra La Scintilla in a world premiere by Christian Spuck set to works by Monteverdi, highlighting the composer's vocal dramas in a choreographic expression. Siena was part of the inaugural collaboration between The Digital Arts Festival and Opernhaus Zürich, with DISRUPTED SCENES, an experimental performance combining classical singing, electronic music and multimedia art installations on stage featuring Kaan Bulak and Hans Peter Riegel. The 23/24 season brings this project to theatres and venues around the world.

Last season, she returned to the International Opera Studio (IOS) at Opernhaus Zürich was seen in a new production of Salome (Page) directed by Andreas Homoki, the world premiere of Evers Die Odyssee (Penélope), and L’italiana in Algeri (Zulma). On the concert stage she debuted with the Dallas Symphony at Bravo Vail! and returned to the Oregon Symphony for Beethoven Symphony No. 9. In her first year in the IOS she appeared in Maria Stuarda (Anna Kennedy), Simon Boccanegra, and Viva la Mamma (Luigia).

Siena returned to Opera Philadelphia for the world premiere of Venables’ Denis & Katya (Katya), debuted with Boise Philharmonic for Messiah and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven Missa Solemnis, and returned to Columbus Symphony for Messiah. In recital, Siena joined Ravinia Steans Music Institute for their winter song tour and a spring residency at Caramoor with New York Festival of Song.

Career highlights include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), Die Zauberflöte (Zweite Dame) with Opera Philadelphia, L'enfant et les sortilèges (title role) with the Aspen Music Festival, and appearances with Curtis Opera Theatre in The Rape of Lucretia (Lucretia), Dido and Aenaes (Dido), Doctor Atomic (Kitty Oppenheimer), and The Medium (Baba).

In concert she has performed Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Beethoven Missa Solemnis and Handel Messiah with the Oregon Symphony Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Boise. Additional accolades include being named a 2019 Gerda Lissner Grant Awardee and multiple prizes from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

An honor was to be invited by Marilyn Horne to participate in the legendary mezzo’s final year of leading The Song Continues series at Carnegie Hall and Siena’s recital with the Carnegie Hall Citywide Concert Series.

Siena is an alumna of the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied both German literature and arts management. Training programs include Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Chautauqua Institute. She is generously supported by the Bagby Foundation and draws inspiration from the beautiful landscapes she’s been able to witness through her singing and travels.