Jessica Ann Best is a diverse cross-disciplinary artist, performing nationwide in opera, musical theater, concert, oratorio, recital, and jazz. Known for her interpretations and versatility; Best has premiered many new works including: Mrs. Otis and Madeline in Gordon Getty’s The Canterville Ghost and Usher House at LA Opera, The Stepmother in Anton Coppola’s, Lady Swanwhite with Opera Tampa, the International Carol Suites (soloist) by Mark Hayes, at Carnegie Hall, the roles of Bessie and Mary Rivers in Louis Karchin’s Jane Eyre, (The Center for Contemporary Opera), Mrs. Foster in Shot, (Nickel City Opera), and the title role of Alice in Alice Ryley, by Michael Ching, commissioned by the Savannah Voice Festival.
Ms. Best made her debut as Carmen in Carmen with Salt Marsh Opera in 2021; singing the title role again that fall with Buffalo Opera Unlimited. In September 2021; Ms. Best was a featured artist in a pops concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro John Russell and tours with Michael Lasser and Alan Jones doing a broad series of programs featuring The Great American Songbook. Ms. Best returned to the Buffalo Philharmonic in performances of The Tempest by Sibelius, under the baton of Maestro JoAnn Falletta. Ms. Best premiered the Garcia Requiem at Carnegie Hall as the mezzo-soprano soloist with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and MidAmerica Productions.
Ms. Best is a returning guest of Susie Mosher's The Lineup at the Birdland Theater in New York, where she recently performed with Billy Stritch in June 2022 during her Lineup Performance. She has toured with Velvet Caravan; an award-winning, gypsy-jazz ensemble from Savannah Georgia; featuring concerts at the Iridum Jazz Club in New York City and Savannah Music Festival. She has been a featured artist with The Savannah Music Festival and the Savannah Voice Festival. Best has appeared as a guest artist with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, The Santa Fe Opera, Opera Tampa, Gotham Chamber Opera, The Helena Symphony, Nickel City Opera, and Finger Lakes Opera. Ms. Best appears on the recording of Louis Karchin’s Jane Eyre on the Naxos Label recorded in 2017 and released in 2019.
Ms. Best served for two years as theArtistic Director of Opera at Nazareth University, where she toured with the opera students, performing Carmen and Rosina, in Muzyczny Festival, Filharmonii Podkarpackiej and the Academy of Music In Krakow. In 2024, She directed and performed.in the Nazareth University's production and performed in Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites, followed by opera scenes and a recital tour. Ms. Best worked with several Rochester theaters to create operatic and musical performances, including La Reine, at Blackfriars Theatre (Oct. 2023), and a fun tribute night of ABBA's Greatest Hits at the JCC Canalside Stage in Rochester in June 2023. Ms. Best directed and performed the compelling contemporary opera, Three Decembers, (Madeline), by Jake Heggie, with Buffalo Opera Unlimited in June 2024. In Summer of 2024, she sang several operatic, jazz, and musical theater concert with the Savannah Voice Festival. She will be featured as the role of Mama in Moses Man: The Journey Home, with the Rochester Fringe Festival and DEEP Arts.
Ms. Best was former professor of voice at Nazareth University, teaching voice to music performance, music therapy, music education, and music theater majors. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Literature from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Literature from Nazareth College. Ms. Best is a proud member of AGMA and The Actor’s Equity Association. She continues to write, sing, direct, music direct, and tour; while holding a private voice studio.
“The first thing I noticed about Jessica was her infectious personality. She is positivity and professionalism wrapped up in a sophisticated, graceful woman. As a conductor and composer, working with her was a true pleasure. She owned the stage and the confidence she exuded matched the exquisite quality of her voice.”
-Mark Hayes, Composer
"Jess Best is a versatile and passionate singing actress. I was very moved by her portrayal of Alice Ryley in the premiere of my opera at Savannah Voice Festival.''
~Michael Ching, Composer
“Jessica Best, who is always fully prepared, totally committed and deeply expressive in her works, should be a role model for all young singers.”
-Fabrizio Melano, Stage Director, The Metropolitan Opera
“Ms.Best’s “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” (in Polish) was very moving in its innocence.”
-Jeffrey Williams, New York Concert Review
