With a voice that has been described as "rich", "strong", and "distinctive", Cynthia Ballentine has established herself as one of the nation's leading young opera artists.

Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, Cynthia has performed with several opera companies across the country, including Hawaii Opera Theater, Opera Colorado, the Washington Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, Summer Opera Theatre and the Sarasota Opera. Some of her over 30 operatic roles include: Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde, Charlotte in Werther, Giulietta in Tales of Hoffman, Mercedes in Carmen, La Principessa in Suor Angelica, and The Witch in Hansel and Gretel.

In her hometown area, she has appeared in concert with the Capitol Hill Choral Society, the Culpeper-Piedmont Choral Society, the Landon Symphonette, and the Hines-Lee Opera ensemble in Washington, D.C. Ms. Ballentine has also sung the National Anthem for the Washington Redskins football team.

Internationally, Ms. Ballentine performed the role of Apollonia in Haydn's La Canterina in Urbania, Italy. She also sang the Soprano II solos from Mozart's C Minor Mass in the great Dom in Salzburg, Austria.

Cynthia received her Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University and her Master of Music from Florida State University, where she was a Graduate Assistant to the Florida State Opera. She was a first place winner in the Florida Music Teacher's Association Wurlitzer Collegiate Artist competition and received an award from the Bradenton, FL Opera Guild. Recently, she was awarded third place in the Paul Robeson Competition in Washington, DC. Cynthia has participated in master classes with many artists, including Ryan Edwards, Paul Plishka, Richard Miller and John Wustman.

Upcoming performances for Cynthia include the role of La Principessa in Suor Angelica with Delaware Valley Opera Company.