Akela Franklin
Soprano
Voice Teacher
Progressive Performing Artist
Meet Akela
Artist Bio
California born soprano Akela Franklin (she/they) is steadily earning her place as one of New England’s rising classical singers. Blessed with a lush, agile full lyric instrument, Akela enjoys lending her voice to opera, musical theater, art song, and oratorio and other sacred music.
Akela’s most recent operatic projects include an upcoming performance as Samuel (Sam) in Boston Summer Opera’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, as well as featured chorus and Ida (cover) in The Opera Company's March 2025 production of Die Fledermaus. She also worked behind the scenes as the manager and casting director for the debut season of MassOpera’s Community and Youth Ensemble (CYE), which was featured in the company’s 2025 production of Handel’s Alcina. CYE’s debut was met with rave reviews by OperaWire’s Siriana Lundgren, who “found [herself] rooting for each one of them” and declared their performance an “utter delight” and “an intentional grounding in MassOpera’s new community initiative”.
Akela’s other recent stage appearances include Clarice in Caldara’s Il giuoco del quadriglio, and Suzel (cover) in Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz, both with West End Lyric. Previous operatic roles include Quatrième Esprit and Surintendant des Plaisirs in Cendrillon, Ghita in Der Zwerg, Ottilie in The Finishing School, and Alice in Le Comte Ory. In 2014, Akela made her international debut as Second Witch in Dido & Aeneas on the Greek island of Lefkada (8th Annual Lefkas Music Week). She has also sung in opera choruses for productions of Der Zwerg, Les contes d'Hoffmann, Le Comte Ory, and The Pirates of Penzance.
Since 2022, Akela has served as the soprano section leader and soloist at Park Avenue Congregational Church in Arlington, performing solos from masterworks such as the Brahms Requiem, Verdi Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Handel’s Messiah, along with new works composed by PACC’s music director, Jeffrey Brody. In June 2025, she was privileged to sing for the premiere recording of Brody’s Reflections, a set of 4 a cappella songs with text by Kathleen Fink.
In addition to her work on the stage, Akela leads an active career as a teaching artist in the greater Boston area. She is a faculty member and the Voice Department Chair at Brookline Music School, where she also teaches music classes for young children. Akela maintained a vibrant private voice studio for 6 years before recently moving on to open The Franklin Studio at Bloch Performing Arts. She also served on the faculty at Community Music Center of Boston from 2020 to 2024 in a variety of private voice, group teaching, and leadership roles.
Akela served on West End Lyric’s board from 2023 to 2025 as the Director of Education and Outreach. During this time, she programmed and performed in the joint recital Feminine Phenomenon: Broadway Revival, which featured musical theatre works created by women composers and librettists. In early 2024, Akela also curated, directed, and performed in the Women of Tin Pan Alley cabaret, showcasing student singers alongside professional talent. She led a repeat rendition of the same program at Community Music Center of Boston as part of the John Kleshinski 2023-24 Concert Series. This performance featured CMCB students, faculty, and West End Lyric guest performers.
Akela holds a Master of Music (M.M.) from Longy School of Music of Bard College and a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from University of Puget Sound, with a minor in Religion. In addition to her voice activities, Akela is also slowly chipping away at her training to become a certified Alexander Technique instructor via the teacher training program headed by Debi Adams at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
RESUME HEADSHOT
Artist Mission Statement
As a progressive performing artist and educator, my mission is to create unique, vibrant, and high quality art that inspires and empowers students and audiences. I am committed to forging new paths towards inclusion, accessibility, and innovation within my industry, as well as strengthening my community through the sharing of authentic artistic expression. As a singer, I strive to create a joyful, sustainable, and easeful experience for myself, my audiences, and my students.