Peruvian-American mezzo-soprano Kelly Guerra is widely recognized for her distinctive voice, described as "rich and sultry, radiating warmth and power, with a smoky timbre" – Isthmus News (2025). As a versatile and passionate performer, Guerra has established herself as a leading figure in the opera world. Her 2024-25 season features a diverse array of roles. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as one of the Niñas in Golijov's flamenco opera Ainadamar, directed and choreographed by Deborah Colker, Jo March in Mark Adamo's Little Women with Fort Worth Opera, the alto soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Glacier Symphony, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Las Vegas, Isabella in L'italiana in Algeri with Anchorage Opera and Opera in the Heights, María in María de Buenos Aires with Madison Opera, Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Scalia/Ginsburg with Raylynmor Opera, Mrs. Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox with Opera Omaha, and sings Mercedes while covering Carmen in Carmen with Gulfshore Opera. 

Kelly also portrays the iconic activist Dolores Huerta in the premieres of Dolores by Nicolás Lell Benavides and Marella Martin Koch at West Edge Opera and Opera Southwest, a co-commission with San Diego Opera and the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. In 2026 she makes role debuts as Pasekh Alef in The Great American Yiddish Dictionary and Sesto in Giulio Cesare with Opera Santa Barbara.

Kelly also portrays the iconic activist Dolores Huerta in the premieres of Dolores by Nicolás Lell Benavides and Marella Martin Koch at West Edge Opera and Opera Southwest, a co-commission with San Diego Opera and the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. In 2026 she makes a role debut as Sesto in Giulio Cesare with Opera Santa Barbara.

Guerra's versatility extends to many styles and eras of vocal music, from Mozart to Sondheim to Héctor Lavoe. She made her Los Angeles Philharmonic debut under John Adams and premiered Katherine Balch's orchestral song cycle Illuminate with the California Symphony. In Summer 2024, Kelly honed her musical theatre skills with Lindsay Mendez and Ryan Scott Oliver's Actor Therapy. Her performances as Lupita and Renata in the mariachi opera Cruzar la Cara de la Luna earned her praise as "brilliant" and "exquisite." Guerra also toured in Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding's (...Iphigenia), her role as Iphigenia Unbound noted as "beautifully sung" by the Washington Post.

As a recitalist, Guerra has been featured at the Lucerne Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and Bard Music Festival. A champion of Spanish-language and contemporary repertoire, Guerra aims to welcome more diverse audiences into the concert hall. As a first-generation American and native of Southern California, Kelly is dedicated to sharing her heritage, breaking new ground in representation and cultural exchange.