Opera Singer Jennifer Johnson Cano Talks Seattle Opera’s Salome on The Day With Trae

Arts & CultureDeaunte DamperThe Day With Trae

Oct 22

Opera singer Jennifer Johnson Cano recently sat down with guest host Deaunte Damper on The Day With Trae to discuss Seattle Opera’s production of Richard Strauss’s Salome, her career trajectory, and the power of mentorship in the arts.

Running now through October 31 at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Salome is a dramatic and compact operatic experience suited for the Halloween season, Cano said.

Bringing a Dark Classic to Life

The opera dramatizes the biblical tale surrounding the tragic demand for the head of John the Baptist. Cano plays Herodias, the mother of the title character, describing the role as intensely dramatic and vocally demanding.

"The minute the music starts, you're thrown into the action and you see how this unfortunate evening unfolds for everyone. But the music is sublime. It is the perfect opera for spooky season,” she said.

Cano detailed how the production's musical structure, costume design, and cast dynamic shape her portrayal on stage.

"The music itself tells you a lot about how you should portray the character. And I also have one of the most fantastic costumes imaginable... I have a fabulous blonde wig, I'm doused in gold jewelry, and all of these things converge to make inhabiting the character that much easier,” she said.

From Small-Town Choir Aspirations to the Grand Stage

Reflecting on her career path, Cano shared that she originally planned to become a high school choir director in her home state of Missouri.

"In the small town where I grew up, that was who I saw making music for a living—my music teachers in school and the musicians in the churches where I grew up,” she said.

Her trajectory shifted when she took formal voice lessons in St. Louis, who encouraged her to pursue professional performance. When asked what guidance she would give to emerging artists and her younger self, Cano emphasized resilience, authenticity, and dedication.

"You can be true to yourself, and you can hone your craft and own what you do and find a place for yourself. You don't have to change who you are, and you don't have to give up that autonomy. You just have to invest in that love and work your tail off,” she said.

Community Access and Ticket Information

Salome is running at McCaw Hall now through Saturday, October 31. Seattle Opera is hosting a special "Pay What You Wish" night for Salome on Friday, October 23.