MANDI BARRUS

BIOGRAPHY

Mandi Barrus, mezzo-soprano, is a musician and actor originally from Seattle, Washington. With her "impressive technique and clear tone", Ms. Barrus' performances are described as "a breath of fresh air" (Front Row Reviewers). She is known for her versatility of performance, with credits in both musical theater and opera. 

Ms.Barrus' recent portrayal of Mere Marie in Dialogues des Carmelites was praised in the Daily Utah Chronicle--"I was blown away by...Mandi Barrus as Marie," critic Hannah Keating wrote. "Your entire attention is captivated by talented female performers." As a Principal Artist of Utah Vocal Arts Academy, Ms. Barrus debuted the role of Dorabella to critical acclaim in last summer’s production of Cosi fan tutte; she made her European debut in  summer 2019 as Maddalena in La Musica Lirica's production of Rigoletto. Other favorite roles include Carlotta (Phantom) with Hale Centre Theatre; Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti) and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble; Claire (Ordinary Days) with Utah Repertory Theatre Company; Irene Molloy (Hello, Dolly!) with CenterPoint Legacy Theatre; Mrs. Cratchit (A Christmas Carol) with Hale Centre Theatre; Nellie (South Pacific) with Idaho Falls Opera Theatre; Eliza Doolittle (My Fair Lady) with Starlight Mountain Theatre; and Velma von Tussle (Hairspray!) with The Grand Theatre. 

A recent winner of Utah Opera's AriaFest and the University of Utah's Concerto Competition, Ms. Barrus holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree with a minor in Theatre Arts from BYU-Idaho and a Master of Music degree from the University of Utah. She studies with acclaimed Metropolitan Opera mezzo Carla Rae Cook. Ms. Barrus shares her love of music as a dedicated teacher of young voices, weekly at St. Paul's Episcopal Church as the Alto Section leader and soloist, and by presenting opera outreach programs in elementary schools throughout Utah where she lives with her three children in the Greater Salt Lake area.