Hailed by critics worldwide for her complete performances as both singer and actor, the American soprano Jennifer Welch-Babidge is in constant demand for her sparkling vocal technique, her natural stage presence, and both her dramatic and comic acting ability. Recent appearances have included the title-rôle in Lucia di Lammermoor at the New York City Opera, concert performances at Carnegie Hall with the Metropolitan Chamber Ensemble, and the rôles of Chloe in The Queen of Spades and Freia in Das Rheingold, among other rôles with the Metropolitan Opera. She appeared with Utah Festival Opera as Gilda in their production of Rigoletto, in the course of a busy career that has brought engagements in principal rôles throughout the United States and abroad. Jennifer Welch-Babidge is a recipient of many awards, including the 2001 ARIA Award and the 2001 Richard Tucker Career Grant. She was also a winner of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions in the spring of 1997. She is a graduate of the Met's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. A native of Aulander, North Carolina, she is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts with a Master's degree in vocal performance. Among her honours, she received a Sara Tucker Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation and an award from the William Mattheus Sullivan Foundation.