Dr. Caroline O’Dwyer is a mezzo-soprano from Connecticut with a passion for both performance and pedagogy. As an active concert soloist, Caroline has performed with numerous ensembles, including: the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Greater Middletown Chorale, Orchestra New England, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Hartford Chorale, Waterbury Chorale, Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonia, Cordancia Chamber Orchestra, Warwick Symphony Orchestra, Skidmore Orchestra, and the Park Church Chamber Orchestra. On the operatic stage, Caroline debuted the role of Miriam “Ma” Ferguson in the world premiere of Douglas Buchanan’s Sackler Award-winning opera, Bessie and Ma (University of Connecticut, 2019). Other roles include: Prince Charmant (Cendrillon), Catherine (Le Mariage aux lanternes), the Abbess (Suor Angelica), Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Cousin Hebe (H.M.S. Pinafore), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), and Petra (A Little Night Music).

As an active recitalist, Caroline made her professional debut in Germany in 2013 with celebrated pianist Sonja Rickfelder (Mainz). As a duo, they performed art song recitals in the Bavarian towns of Leutershausen and Dinkelsbühl, and their program garnered enthusiastic reviews from local critics. Volker Schmidt of the Fränkische Landeszeitung wrote, “Caroline O’Dwyer sang with high virtuosity and drama in an expressive, lyric mezzo-soprano voice…Highly sensitive, she sang from her heart, from her soul, with much poignancy and a warm color.”  The following year, she was invited to return to Germany for a second recital performance with Sonja and her husband, baritone Ronny Rickfelder. Since then, she has continued to be recognized for her sensitive interpretation of classical art song. In 2026, Caroline was selected as a National Finalist for the American Prize in Voice (art song and oratorio division). In 2018, she was a National Semi-Finalist for the prestigious NATS Artist Award, and in 2013, she was a finalist in the Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition.

Equally as dedicated to pedagogy as she is to performance, Caroline has taught classical voice at the University of Rhode Island since 2018. There, she is a three-time recipient of the “University Artist Series” grant, which funds innovative faculty performances. In regular demand as a visiting clinician, Caroline has served as a vocal instructor for the Ogontz Summer Choral Workshop in New Hampshire since 2025. She has also been a visiting artist at Bowling Green State University (2024), where she presented a solo recital and voice master class with pianist Heather Goldman. Also a certified yoga instructor, Caroline has taught “Mindfulness for Musicians” workshops for numerous organizations, which helps students explore how yoga-based meditation and breathing practices can help alleviate performance anxiety and improve vocal technique and musicianship. She has also lent her expertise as a judge for the Rhode Island Civic Orchestra Vocal Competition and the NATS Student Auditions at both the state and regional levels.

Contact Information