Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isola Jones will return to New York City for the first time in decades for two events at the National Opera Center.

She will present a recital on May 22 followed by a masterclass on May 24, 2026.

Both events are produced and directed by filmmaker and music historian Milik Kashad, and will serve as material for a forthcoming documentary on Jones’ life and career. In 2024, Kashad presented Grammy Award-winning soprano Leona Mitchell in a sold-out concert and masterclass series.

Jones holds the record for the most performances by a Black artist at the Metropolitan Opera, with more than 500 appearances on the Met stage. Over the course of her career, she performed alongside Leontyne Price, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo.