A diva is returning to her roots and Rome residents have the opportunity to hear her sing.

Mezzo-soprano opera singer Jamie Barton, a Rome native and Shorter University grad, will be in Rome for a performance at First Baptist Church on Jan. 30. as well as a reception in her honor where she’ll be signing copies of her Grammy-nominated CD.

Barton’s performances at such prestigious venues as The Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall have won Barton critical acclaim. Her upcoming performances will include “The Magic Flute” at The Met as well as “Faust” at the Santa Fe Opera.

On Jan. 30, she will be singing during First Baptist’s regular worship service at 11 a.m., said minister of music/worship Keith Reaves. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. that day, she will be in the dining room at the church signing copies of her CD.

“The public is welcome to attend both events,” Reaves said. “Jamie sang in our choir when she was a Shorter student and we’ve followed her career ever since. When the news of the grammy nomination came out, I asked if she’d like to have a reception here to celebrate.”

Barton was born in Rome, attended Armuchee High School graduated with a bachelor’s degree in voice performance from Shorter University and with a master’s degree in voice performance from Indiana University.

Her competition awards include a second place at the 2004 Music Teachers National Association, first place at the National Society of Arts and Letters voice competition in 2005, and she was the national winner at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2007.

Since 2007, Barton has been performing professionally in opera houses across the country.

She has been in such notable operas as “The Mikado,” “Madame Butterfly,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “Our Town” and “Anna Karenina.”

Most recently, Barton and fellow opera singer Ava Pine recorded “Marc Antonio e Cleopatra.” The CD earned them a Grammy nomination.

“The Grammy nomination was such a wonderful surprise,” Barton said. “I heard about it from Ava Pine, who is the soprano I sing with on the album. Making the album was a really neat process to be a part of.  

“It was my first professional recording, and was done over the time of about three days.  Sometimes it was very intense — three days is not that long of a time to get the perfect recording from a group of musicians.”

Barton and Reaves are still hammering out the details of what hymns she’ll be singing during worship service but she knows that “The Lord’s Prayer” will be one of them.

When asked how this trip fits into her schedule, Barton says her January appearances include a recital at Carnegie Hall as well as a debut with the San Diego Symphony in February and with the Omaha Symphony in March.

Jamie Barton will sing during worship service at First Baptist Church on Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. She will be signing copies of her CD during a reception that afternoon from 2 to 4.

For those who cannot attend the service, it will be broadcast live on Comcast channel 62.

The church is located at 100 E. Fourth Ave.