Taylor Nicole Witherspoon was born April 30th, 1996 in Ruston, Louisiana to Kathryn Witherspoon. Taylor was very interested in the arts at a young age. While attending Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School, she became interested in singing in the choir. Her teacher Mrs. Betty Decou encouraged her to begin singing in competitions in high school. This encouragement and care helped Taylor build her confidence and love for music. During her time in high school, she performed in many competitions and was successful. During her senior year, she was the only high school student in the state of Louisiana to audition for the National Honor Choir and was accepted to sing in Carnegie Hall with over 500 high school students. Witherspoon was awarded a performance scholarship to further her education in college. 

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After high school, Taylor attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe, earning her Bachelor's in Vocal Performance. Her professor Claire Vangelisti worked closely with her on musicianship and the development of her voice. Her mentor Betty Decou kept in touch helping and encouraging her in her work. Interested in a wide variety of musical styles, Taylor performed in the university's operas and musicals including West Side Story, Pirates of Penzance, Rent, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Beggars Opera, Phantom of the Opera, and Candide. She also performed in opera scenes as well as small skits from popular Broadway and operatic titles including Shrek: The Musical, Hair, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hanson, and Le Nozze di Figaro. In her third year of college, she joined Music in the Marche, performing in Italy and furthering her music education with professors from around the world. In Italy, Taylor was featured in opera scenes performances across the region, including excerpts as the title roles of both Suor Angelica and L’incoronazione di Poppea.

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From birth, Taylor suffered from grand mal seizures. This debilitating condition caused her many years of struggling with her education and very low self-esteem. At the age of 21, toward the end of her third year in college, she went into heart failure. Taylor was given a pacemaker to save her life. She became very depressed during that time and her studies and confidence suffered. Through her performance of Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera, her passion and confidence grew, and she was proud to present her senior recital in the fall. Taylor graduated in December 2019.

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Taylor Witherspoon is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, she received her Master's in Vocal Performance. During the summer, Taylor traveled to Alabama and Germany as part of the International Performing Arts Institute (IPAI). While in Germany, she performed scenes from Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, Three Penny Opera, and Dear Evan Hansen. Most notably, she enjoyed singing the partial role of Hanna (The Merry Widow) in the Vilja scene. Returning to the US, Taylor began her journey in coachings, role preparation, and auditions for new companies. She has most recently performed with organizations including Opera Creole, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Verismo Opera (Agnès Sorel/The Maid of Orleans) and New Orleans Opera (Principal Soprano Nun/Dialogues des Carmélites). Upcoming 2026/27 engagements include a return to New Orleans Opera for Il trovatore and singing in the Stage Door Idol Competition at the New Orleans WWII Museum.

 

Taylor's goals are to perform with a major opera company and to travel to many countries performing with opera companies. She also aspires to become a more diverse artist across various musical genres, including jazz, gospel, spiritual, and R&B. She works hard to cultivate a platform that advocates positivity, self-love, and individuality with performing. Taylor always believes in trying new things even in music. Her view of life: “Never be scared to be different from others; Your uniqueness is what makes you extraordinary.”