About Cailin
A dynamic soprano comfortable in both classical music and musical theatre, Cailin Smith dares to lean into the uncomfortable, use music as a mode of advocacy, and educate young audiences. Cailin is a passionate champion of new music and a deeply devoted vocal pedagogue dedicated to helping singers of all ages embrace their unique voices.. Cailin is the founder of Voice of Iris, a company committed to staging vocal works for treble voices.
​Upcoming engagements include the Winchester Unitarian Society's Soloists Concert this fall. Cailin was recently featured as Oberto in MassOpera’s 2025 production of Alcina and recorded the role of Arabella on the original album of Angels of the House, produced by Ted and Togo Productions. Other recent highlights include Morana in The Haunted Palace and Grackle in The Raven, two new micro-operas, with Ted and Togo Productions; First Spirit in MassOpera’s production of The Magic Flute: Retold; and James Kallembach’s Antigone.
Cailin is a co-founder of Voice of Iris, a groundbreaking collective dedicated to performing staged works exclusively for treble voices while actively dismantling gender disparity in staged vocal works. Voice of Iris’ first season included three staged song cycles and a devised theatre piece to tell the story of Dinah from the Bible. In addition, she sings with the Boston-based Lilith Vocal Ensemble, which empowers women and gender non-conforming musicians by rebelling against societal expectations of traditional gender roles in music.
Cailin holds her Master of Music degree from the Longy School of Music where she studied with Dr. Dana Lynne Varga. She was also a participant in MassOpera's Artist in Training program for the 2022-23 academic year.
Cailin’s performances have taken her to Florence, Italy and across the East Coast. She places importance on connecting with her audience, whether her job is to provide an escape, provoke an uncomfortable conversation, educate, or a combination of the three. She particularly seeks out projects that include works by and about women, modern and historical; the perception of mental health explored through music; liminal spaces and phases of life; and Irish language, culture, and history. In recital, Cailin strives to program works that are not frequently heard and is primarily passionate about new music and loves working with composers to bring new stories to life.
A lifelong creative writer, Cailin enjoys her expanding opportunities as a librettist. Libretto credits include: Where They Hide, composed by E. Isaiah Hopper, a song cycle for soprano, viola, bass, flute, and clarinet; Trio for the End of Time, composed by Paige Burke, and No Weekends, composed by Joi Harper, two micro-operas; The Ninth Wave, to be featured in the 2025-2026 season of Voice of Iris, to be composed by Laura Nevitt; and a micro-opera, The Elevator Trial, with Boston Opera Collaborative to be composed by Omar Najmi.
As an educator, Cailin has been praised for instilling confidence in students, providing a safe space for students to explore, and for creating innovative and educationally sound programming. With a wealth of experience in the education field, Cailin is equally comfortable in front of a classroom, in a studio, and in informal education settings such as museums and outreach programs. She holds a Master of Music from the Longy School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music – Vocal Performance and Anthropology from Dickinson College. Cailin currently studies with Dr. Dana Lynne Varga. Previous teachers include: Dr. Corrine Byrne, James Martin, Jonathan Hays, and Rebecca Rossello.