Ailyn Perez quotes:

My family background is Mexican, and I was born in Chicago. It's pretty much family tradition every time we get together for Christmas and major holidays to sing. Our family time is centered around the food and a little bit of performing for one another.

I had teachers in high school to point me in the direction of the University of Indiana School of Music, and after IU, I went on to study at the Academy of Arts in Philadelphia. I graduated in 2006.

Music and opera are a big part of my life.

From a young age, I was encouraged to sing, dance and learn folk and popular songs in Spanish.

Sometimes the leads are equally balanced, like in 'Romeo and Juliet,' but sometimes they're just not.