Mezzo-soprano Shafica recently received a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Colorado State University.  She graduated magna cum laude from Youngstown State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in music.  Notable opera roles include: Mercedes (Carmen), Little Buttercup (HMS Pinafore), Idamante (Idomeneo), La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Patience (Patience), Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), Valencienne (The Merry Widow), Annina (La Traviata), and Yum-Yum (The Mikado).  Ms. Kaleel’s opera scene roles include Adina (L’elisir d’amore) and Frasquita (Carmen).  Additionally, Shafica was a featured artist in OperaWorks Arias in Motion as a part of their first Winter Intensive Emerging Artist Program.  In June of 2013, Ms. Kaleel traveled to Orvieto, Italy and made her European debut with Opera Orvieto.  In March of 2014, Ms. Kaleel appeared as Eve in Haydn’s The Creation with CSU Choirs and Chamber Orchestra.  In July of 2015, Ms. Kaleel performed the role of Little Buttercup in CSU's Conducting Seminar production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. After moving back to Ohio, Ms. Kaleel made her chorus debut with Cleveland Opera Theater this past spring for their production of La Bohème and joined the chorus for Opera Circle Cleveland's production of Il trovatore in June 2016.  Ms. Kaleel was thrilled to return with Opera Western Reserve to perform the role of Mercedes in their production of Carmen last November.

     Ms. Kaleel was actively involved in Opera Western Reserve’s Young Artist Program under the direction of David Vosburgh from 2009 until 2012.  As a Young Artist, her duties in the Educational Outreach program, “Fun with Opera,” included singing and teaching opera to students in grades k-12 all over Northeastern Ohio.  Shafica was member of the Dana Vocal Society at YSU, The Golden Key National Honor Society, and made the Dean’s List for the majority of her college career.  In addition, she placed first in the NATS Regional Competition in her division in 2009 and she placed second in the advanced women category at the NATS Tri-State Auditions in 2011.  Shafica was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship at Colorado State University from 2012-2014 and served as president of the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing Organization (SNATS@CSU) from 2013-2015.

     Ms. Kaleel has also sung for various events ranging from summer arts programs and weddings to political and sporting events.  She had the privilege to sing the National Anthem for President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Governor Ted Strickland (Ohio), and Jerry Springer.