Influential Woman · Performing Arts / Opera
Bridgette Cooper
Opera Singer, Arts Advocate, CEO, 728 Media Productions
20912
Her Story
About Bridgette
Bridgette Cooper is an award-winning mezzo-soprano and Broadway touring artist whose career in the performing arts now spans more than two and a half decades. A graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned her degree in vocal performance, she went on to deepen her craft through advanced study at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore (in affiliation with Johns Hopkins), the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and the Aspen Opera Theater. Over the years, she has graced stages across North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East Europe, and Asia, appearing with acclaimed companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Washington National Opera and taking on international roles, including a celebrated turn in Porgy and Bess.
Her artistry is distinguished by emotional richness, technical mastery, and a commanding stage presence that has earned her recognition from institutions and media outlets alike, including features on ABC Here and Now, Scholar Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, and Conversations Magazine. Beyond her achievements as a performer, Cooper has cultivated a parallel career as a passionate advocate for the arts and education, where she previously worked as a music educator, a role in which she was honored as New Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Bri is recognized with a host of vocal honors, among them the Marian Anderson Scholars Award, the Paul Robeson National Vocal Competition Award, and finalist standing in the Bel Canto Vocal Competition of Chicago. She now channels that same dedication into producing and hosting two podcasts and television programs centered on opera, using these platforms to broaden audiences for the art form and encourage engagement from younger generations.
Her contributions to the arts have been further recognized through honors such as the Distinguished Alumni Award from the East Carolina University School of Music, Voices of the New Millennium at Carnegie Hall, and inclusion among Conversations Magazine's Top 25 Game Changers and 25 Women Changing the World. She holds an MBA with a concentration in international business and currently serves as an arts administrator at a prestigious non-profit arts organization, embracing the ethos of "Everybody in and nobody out." She has also stepped into public service, having run as a candidate for the U.S. Congress in Maryland in both 2018 and 2020. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; the Bahamian American Association of the Washington D.C. & Mid-Atlantic Region; the American Guild of Musical Artists; and the Actors Equity Association, she brings the same values of integrity, preparation, and empathetic leadership to every space she enters—whether that is the opera stage or the boardroom. As she often puts it, "every role, on stage or off, is an opportunity to inspire."
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Bridgette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my parents and teachers, who recognized and nurtured my talent from a young age. My father in particular encouraged me to pursue music seriously, and that early belief in my ability has stayed with me throughout my career. My mother was also an opera singer but never wanted to put too much pressure on me. She gave me the space to figure out if this is what I wanted to do as a career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received came from my father, who encouraged me to take my musical studies seriously once my teachers recognized my talent. That guidance set the foundation for the path I've built over the last 25-plus years.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. There will be ups and downs throughout your career, and during the quiet periods, when the phone isn't ringing, use that time to perfect your craft and prepare for the next opportunity. Above all, hold on to your morals and be willing to say no when necessary, even if it means fewer opportunities come your way for a while.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opera remains a fairly niche field, so one of the biggest challenges is engaging younger audiences and building broader interest in the art form. Performers also need to diversify their income and take on multiple roles within music to sustain a career, while avoiding being typecast into a narrow range of repertoire. There are also moments where staying true to my values means turning down roles or opportunities, which can be a real professional challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is central to everything I do, both on stage and off. I believe in being ready to say no when something doesn't align with my principles, and in approaching my career with the mindset that it's a marathon rather than a sprint. Preparation, arts advocacy, education, and connecting with younger generations are also deeply important values that guide my work.
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