Opera Cowgirls

The Opera Cowgirls are an alt-country band where grand opera meets the grand ole opry. Founded by Caitlin McKechney (mezzo-soprano/guitar/banjolele) after she was asked to open for a rock show at a local bar, the group also includes Sarah Beckham-Turner(soprano/cello), Maria Maxfield (soprano/dulcimer/egg shaker or tambourine), Jessica Sandidge (soprano/mandolin/rival egg shaker or tambourine) and Mila Henry (not a soprano/mini-keyboards/percussion). By blending the greatest operatic hits with some country flavor, the Cowgirls have proven that they can truly cover Puccini to Parton.

The Cowgirls have performed at venues ranging from dive bars to cabaret halls (with a beach bandshell to boot), including the New York-based BAM Lepercq Space, LIC Bar, Parkside Lounge, Pete’s Candy Store, Le Poisson Rouge and The Slipper Room, and trips to Avaloch Farm Music Institute (NH), Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre (IA), Delaware Valley Opera (NY), Hopewell Valley Vineyards (NJ), Magic City Opera (FL), NightBlue Theater (IL), Opera North (NH), Painted Sky Opera (OK) and the San Francisco Ballet (CA). Thanks to Sarah’s Texas connections at WTAMU, they are also quite big in Amarillo.

Guest artists include mandolinist Joe Brent, tap-dancing clown Brent McBeth, violinist Andie Tanning and violinist/musical saw player Philippa Thompson, as well as ensembles such as ARKAI Music and Hotel Elefant. In August 2022, the Cowgirls all performed in the premiere of Letters That You Will Not Get: Women’s Voices from the Great War by Kirsten Volness, Kate Holland and Susan Werbe (The American Opera Project), after debuting the original song cycle version in 2018.

Digital albums include Pearlsnaps and Pearls (their five-song “thesis” EP) and A Very Merry Cowgirl Christmas (a trio of holiday favorites), both of which are available online through all major music platforms.

Individually, the Cowgirls each cover a vast terrain, spanning The Metropolitan Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Nashville Opera, New York City Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera on Tap, Opera Philadelphia, PROTOTYPE Festival, Sarasota Opera, St. Petersburg Opera and Tacoma Opera.