Laurie Rubin

Laurie Rubin is an American mezzo-soprano recognized for her work as a recitalist, concert singer, and opera performer. As one of the first blind operatic singers, Rubin has contributed to expanding accessibility and representation in classical music and opera. She trained at Oberlin College and the Yale School of Music, and her academic background includes a residency at the Tanglewood program for advanced music students. Rubin developed her artistic identity in response to challenges encountered during her studies, establishing a distinctive presence in the field.

Rubin has performed internationally at venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall in London, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. Her operatic repertoire includes the title role in Rossini's "La Cenerentola," Mrs. Noye in Britten's "Noye's Fludde," Karen in Gordon Beeferman's "The Rat Land" at New York City Opera's VOX Festival, Penelope in Monteverdi's "The Return of Ulysses" at the Greenwich Music Festival, and Elle in Poulenc's "The Human Voice." She also performed as the voice/witch in Lisa Bielawa's episodic opera, "Vireo," which received the ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award. Rubin has premiered works by composers such as John Harbison, Gabriela Lena Frank, Keeril Makan, Bruce Adolphe, Noam Sivan, and Gordon Beeferman.

Her career includes duet concerts with mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade at DePauw University and the Ravinia Festival, a solo appearance with the LA Chamber Orchestra, and a performance at the International Human Rights Conference in Lucerne, Switzerland. Rubin has performed contemporary music with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and is a co-founder and co-artistic director of Musique à la Mode Chamber Music Ensemble. She is also a founding member of the baroque ensemble Callisto Ascending, which has performed at Lincoln Center. Rubin developed a music curriculum at Yale that uses blindfolding activities to help sighted students understand the experiences of blind students.

Seven Stories Press published Rubin's memoir, "Do You Dream in Color? Insights From a Girl Without Sight." Bridge Records released a companion CD featuring the world premiere recording of Bruce Adolphe's composition, "Do You Dream in Color?," with poetry by Rubin. Her work has been recognized by critics in the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, and she has collaborated with leading figures in the classical music industry.

Rubin is the co-founder and associate artistic director of Ohana Arts, a performing arts festival and school in Honolulu, Hawaii. She and her wife founded the Ohana Arts Performing Arts Festival and School, where they premiered "Peace on Your Wings," a musical based on the story of Sadako Sasaki. Rubin is also active as a motivational speaker, delivering a TED Talk at TED Med Conference, serving as a lectureship speaker for the National Delta Gamma Fraternity Convention, and appearing in the Student Senate series at Utah Valley University. Her work addresses themes of identity, perseverance, and the role of the arts in personal and social transformation.