New Music for Two VoicesSusan Narucki & Kirsten Ashley Wiest

Susan Narucki

American soprano Susan Narucki has forged a unique path; her dedication to the music of our time has led to critically acclaimed performances with musicians of the first rank and close collaborations with generations of composers. She has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Netherlands Opera, San Francisco Symphony and numerous appearances at Carnegie Hall. Her long-standing relationship with the ASKO/Schoenberg Ensemble led to iconic recordings and performances of works of Louis Andriessen and Claude Vivier. Her extensive discography includes three GRAMMY Nominations for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album, including Elliott Carter: Tempo e Tempi (2002, Bridge Records), The Edge of Silence: Vocal Music of Kurtág (2020, AVIE), and most recently, a 2026 nomination for Kurtág: Kafka Fragments with violinist Curtis Macomber (AVIE).

Susan has commissioned and produced several distinctive chamber operas that focused on critical issues of our time: Cuatro Corridos (2013) which addressed human trafficking in the San Diego/Tijuana border region and Inheritance (2018) a work that dealt with gun violence in America. Her projects have earned support from the Creative Capital Foundation, the MAP Fund for the Performing Arts, UC MEXUS and multiple awards from the National Endowment for the Arts. She joined the faculty of UC San Diego in 2008 and serves as Distinguished Professor of Music.

Kirsten Ashley Wiest

Award-winning coloratura soprano Kirsten Ashley Wiest is celebrated for her “extraordinary performance virtuosity” and “impressive range and power” (Sequenza21), which captivate audiences and composers across the globe. A passionate advocate for the evolution of classical vocal music, she has premiered more than 100 new works spanning operatic roles, chamber music, monodramas, art songs, and a cappella repertoire. Her artistry is defined by a fearless commitment to expanding the boundaries of vocal expression and collaborating closely with today’s most innovative performers and composers.

Kirsten has appeared with leading ensembles and institutions including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, PARTCH ensemble, wild Up, and The Industry, among many others dedicated to advancing contemporary music. Her performances are noted for their technical brilliance, emotional depth, and versatility across a wide range of styles and demands.

Her voice is featured on recordings released by Sony Classical, Centaur Records, MicroFest Records, innova Recordings, and others, bringing new music to an international audience. In addition to the concert stage, her work extends into film, where her voice can be heard on soundtracks for major horror productions including The Unholy and The Conjuring series.

Kirsten holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from California Institute of the Arts and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of California San Diego where she studied with soprano Susan Narucki. Alongside performing, Kirsten also teaches voice at the university level and serves on the Board of Directors for several nonprofit organizations.