 Rogers chose to pursue a vocal career and became an opera singer.Using the pseudonym Clara Doria, she debuted in 1863 in Turin, Italy in a performance of "Robert le diable" by Giacomo Meyerbeer.After touring in Italy and five years in London as a concert singer, she came to United States in 1871 as a member of the Parepa-Rosa Opera Company and spent another seven years as a singer with at least three different troupes.