Soprano Leah Podzimek is a versatile performer, producer, and administrator currently based in the Greater Midwest. After spending a decade in Colorado, she performs regularly throughout the Rocky Mountain Region and the broader United States. She has been seen on stages worldwide as both a soloist and a member of internationally recognized ensembles, including the Wartburg Choir and Playground Ensemble. Performances range from baroque concerts and grand operas to world-premiere chamber works and immersive, interactive productions.

Hailed as “opulent and rich”, Ms. Podzimek’s recent roles include Liù (Turandot) with St. Petersburg Opera, Rosita/Fulang (Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World) with Central City Opera, Mrs. Gleaton (Susannah) and Second Lady (The Magic Flute) with Opera Fort Collins, Princess Dora (The Three Feathers) with Opera Steamboat, and Voice 1 in the world premiere of composer Nathan Hall’s new opera, Atlas of Remote Islands. She looks forward to returning to St. Petersburg Opera during the 2024/25 season to perform the role of Mrs. Segstrom in A Little Night Music and cover the role of Micaëla in Carmen.

Ms. Podzimek is the core vocalist of the Denver-based premiere new music group, The Playground Ensemble, with whom she regularly performs contemporary chamber works, including the November 2024 concert “Body/Mind” featuring pieces by Paola Prestini, Kate Soper, and Leaha Maria Villarreal. To learn more about The Playground, visit www.playgroundensemble.org.

Ms. Podzimek also produces and performs in interactive and immersive performances through her creative business, Luster Productions. Previous productions include Missed Connection: A musical mystery adventure in September 2023 and installments of INTERPLAY: Art + Opera in cities nationwide. Please reach out if you would like to bring INTERPLAY to your city!

Ms. Podzimek received her Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Wartburg College, and her Master of Art in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. While abroad she performed and covered roles with OperaGold (Tytania/A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Giornata Opera (Suor Osmina/Suor Angelica), and Park Opera (Chloë/The Queen of Spades). She has received scholarships to attend and perform at the Aldeburgh Festival, Dartington International Summer School for Music, Abingdon School for Solo Singers, OperaWorks in Los Angeles, and received third place and the Myrle F. Hoffman Memorial Award at the 2018 Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition. She was recently the sole Vocal Fellow at the 2023 Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice, where she premiered a new piece by Jacob Lane and performed works by Cage, Epstein, and more, and was a finalist in the 2024 John Alexander National Vocal Competition with Opera Mississippi, 2025 Opera Ithaca Edward M. Murray International Competition of Voice, and a semifinalist in the 2025 James Toland Vocal Competition.

Leah currently studies with Dramatic Soprano Alexandra LoBianco.