Keanon Kyles, praised by CNN for his “beautiful technique” was raised in Chicago where he received his degree in music from Chicago’s Columbia College. He made his opera debut as Colline in Puccini's “La Boheme” in North Chicago. Conducted by Metropolitan Opera’s Maestro David Jackson, he made his Italy debut in Trento as Betto in Gianni Schicchi and Peter in Hansel and Gretel. He toured a production of “The Matchbox Magic Flute” where he performed the role of Sarastro under the direction of Mary Zimmerman at Goodman Theater (Chicago, Il) and Shakespeare Theater (Washington, D.C.). After making his U.K. debut as Colline in La Boheme he returned to Scotland to perform the title-role in Rigoletto in a Scottish Opera's production. He recently returned from Scotland for the 3rd time where he performed the role of Leporello, amongst a plethora of recitals in Stonehouse and Bothwell, U.K.
He made his Chicago Opera Theater debut as Daggoo in their production of Jake Heggie’s “Moby Dick”. Shortly after, he made his South America debut as Noye in Noye’s Fludde. Kyles then returned to Chicago to make his Lyric Opera debut by way of their Lyric Unlimited program in their production of “Earth to Kenzie”. He had the great pleasure of following that successful production with being invited to perform a selection of arias at Carnegie Hall in 2019. Kyles recently has been a part of several world premieres throughout Chicago, some being, “Freedom Ride” by Dan Shore, “Taking Up Serpents” by Kamala Sankaram and “Quamino’s Map” by Errolyn Wallen. Chicago Opera Theater commissioned new art song pieces specifically for Kyles by living composers Stacy Garrop, Wang Lu, Matthew Recio. He most recently performed, “Two Black Churches” by friend and colleague, Shawn Okpebholo. He’s been invited back by the Lyric Opera to be part of productions, “The Scorpion Sting” and completely sold out run of “The Factotum”. Kyles is a former Young Artist with Chicago Opera Theater and graduated from the post-grad Opera Performance program through Chicago College of Performing Arts.
Aside from operatic performances, Kyles has performed a plethora of concert work with Chicago Symphony Orchestra through their Negaunee Music Institute. He has been featured on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times and his music career has been highlighted on Good Morning America, CNN, BBC News, NPR amongst other major media outlets. Kyles was recently one of Portland Opera's four Resident Artists and performed in their season opener, "Carmen", as Morales. Outside of performing he is a voice teacher—leading private and group classes through LYRIQ Music School and is on the classical voice and musical theater voice faculty at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. He also sits on the board of LATTE Theater based out of La Grange, Il and non-profit all women ensemble, C21 as their Artistic Advisor. He is a two-time Reva and David Logan Foundation award recipient, 2023 B2B Illinois Arts Grant recipient, 2023 “Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanities” award recipient from the State of Illinois, 2022 grant recipient of the “Illinois Arts Council Agency” award and former resident artist and affiliate of the private artist club, The Cliff Dwellers”.