Tenor Lwazi Hlati hails from Johannesburg, South Africa. He earned a Master’s degree and a Performer’s Diploma from Southern Methodist University, a Graduate Artistic Certificate in Opera Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa. His accolades include winning first place, along with the award for the best art song presentation, in the inaugural Duncan Williams voice competition held by the New York City Opera and Manhattan School of Music, and being named the 2024 opera idol by Connecticut Opera. Hlati has garnered acclaim for his roles in Così fan tutte, Falstaff, Carmen, and A Streetcar Named Desire, and performed with Fort Worth Opera in La traviata, Hansel and Gretel, and Amahl and the Night Visitors, among others.