Jenna Rae is a soprano of rare dramatic power and a driving force behind TUNDI Productions and the Wagner in Vermont Festival, which she co-founded with conductor Hugh Keelan. A critic has written that wherever she performs, there is "beauty, rigor, generosity of emotion, and an unusual ability to connect." She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northwestern University and pursued graduate vocal studies at the New England Conservatory, Rice University, and The Longy School of Music.

TUNDI Productions & Wagner in Vermont

Together with Hugh Keelan, Ms. Rae co-founded TUNDI Productions with the mission of bringing Wagner's all-encompassing artworks to life in full. Each August, TUNDI presents the Wagner in Vermont Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont — an event that draws audiences and artists of serious Wagnerian commitment from across the country and beyond. Ms. Rae wears many hats for TUNDI: she serves as Executive Director, Artistic Director, occasional set builder and costume designer, in addition to taking the stage as lead soprano. Her involvement is total, and her vision animates every aspect of the company.

Wagner

Ms. Rae has devoted herself to the summit of the Wagnerian soprano repertoire with singular dedication. In 2019, her portrayal of Isolde in Tristan und Isolde with TUNDI Productions earned breathtaking accolades from critics, colleagues, and Wagnerites who travel internationally for Wagner productions — a response that led her to reprise the role with Connecticut Lyric Opera. She looks forward to returning to Isolde with TUNDI in August 2026.

Her Brünnhilde journey began in 2022 with Die Walküre and continued in 2023 with Siegfried. In 2025, she completed the full Ring Cycle, performing all three Brünnhilde roles — Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung — a rare and formidable achievement, and a testament to both her vocal endurance and her total commitment to the Wagnerian mission.

Soprano Roles

Beyond Wagner, Ms. Rae has sung many of the great dramatic soprano roles. In 2018 she performed the title role of Turandot with the Windham Orchestra, preceded by Leonora in Il Trovatore and Santuzza in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana with the same orchestra. Earlier roles include Elettra in Mozart's Idomeneo (Bennington Choral Society, 2017), the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors (2016), and the title role of Tosca with PanOpera in 2014, where her soprano journey began.

Mezzo-Soprano Roles

Earlier in her career as a mezzo-soprano, Ms. Rae performed ensemble work with Boston Lyric Opera and sang highlight roles including La Zia Principessa in Puccini's Suor Angelica with the Hugh Keelan Ensemble, Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and Hansel in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel — both with Longy Opera.

Concert & Orchestral Work

Ms. Rae's orchestral and concert engagements have included Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde at the Monadnock Music Festival, Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder, Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem (Bennington Choral Society), and Ellington's Second Sacred Concert with the Keene Chorale.

Jenna also serves as Music Director at The Putney School in Putney, Vermont.