Akela Franklin
Soprano
Vocal Teaching Artist
Progressive Performing Artist
Alexander Technique Teacher in Training
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 currently serves 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, and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, as well as new works composed by PACC’s music director, Jeffrey Brody. This past season at West End Lyric, Akela appeared as Clarice in Caldara’s Il giuoco del Quadriglio (The Card Game) and covered Suzel in Masacagni’s L’amico Fritz. Past 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 appeared in opera scenes as Béatrice (Béatrice et Benedict), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Amy (Little Women), and Cunegonde (Candide) and in opera choruses for productions of Der Zwerg, Les contes d'Hoffmann, Le Comte Ory, and The Pirates of Penzance.
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 the board in West End Lyric’s 2023-24 inaugural season as the Director of Education and Outreach, during which time she curated, directed, and performed in the Women of Tin Pan Alley cabaret, showcasing student singers alongside professional talent. She also led a repeat rendition of Women of Tin Pan Alley 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 is excited to return to her position on WEL’s board for the 2024-25 season!
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. She is a student of Carol Mastrodomenico. In addition to her voice activities, Akela is currently enrolled in the Alexander Technique Teacher Training Program 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.