Dr. LaToya Lain, soprano, native of New Orleans, has served as an Associate Professor of Voice at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2018. She teaches applied voice, The History and Performance Practice of the Negro Spiritual, and Music Theatre History. Additionally, Dr. Lain has served as the Music Director for the university’s Musical Theatre Productions.

As a highly sought-after teaching artist, Dr. Lain has performed in some of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Her operatic credits include productions such as Fire Shut Up in My Bones and Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera, both of which received GRAMMY® Awards for Best Opera Recording. She has also performed with prestigious companies worldwide, including the Teatro Regio di Torino, Teatro Petrucci, and the New York Opera Society and has earned recognition for her roles in both leading and supporting capacities in operas such as Sanctuary Road (Moravec/Campbell), Die Walküre (Wagner), and Carmen (Bizet), among others.

In addition to her performance career, Dr. Lain is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of singers, providing guidance and expertise to students aspiring to enter the world of professional music. Her commitment to preserving the African American musical heritage is reflected in her deep understanding and teaching of spirituals, and she continues to contribute to the ongoing discussion about the cultural and historical significance of this genre.  She is currently curating and recording spirituals with the State of North Carolina’s Department of Natural and Cultural History to be featured in historic sites across the state.