Talking with singers: Gregory Kunde

Interview

"I try to make a connection with EVERY role I do. But, I will say there have been a few that have made an impact and left an impression on me. The first is Otello. One can't help but sympathize with this character. He is so amazing to play. There is every emotion in this role. I have been extremely fortunate to have played him in both the Rossini and Verdi versions and musically, they couldn't be more different. But Otello is always Otello."

Spotlight on: Sydney Mancasola

Interview

"It's probably a bit of dangerous advice, but selfishly, I'd like to see young singers push the limits a little more. Sing the aria you love that no one thinks you should sing, tell your director that you don't buy the staging they are giving you, give up the big YAP to sing the role of your dreams at a small company. Make the choice that will fulfill you spiritually."

Spotlight on: Beth Hagerman

Interview

"I think that young singers need to know from a very early stage in their development that they have the authority to be an artist. It's hard when you’re in school and you’re focusing so hard on technique. You have teachers telling you which aspects of your singing are good or bad. You start to think in terms of absolutes and you forget about things like interpretation, artistry and connecting with the text because that feels so wishy-washy in a world where you need to find that seemingly mythical perfect 'ah' vowel."

Rosemarie Umetsu: singing in style

Interview

Based out of her Atelier in Toronto, designer Rosemarie Umetsu has an unique relationship with fashion and the performing arts. Her clients include artists like Joyce Di Donato, Jake Heggie, Gidon Saks, Angela Meade, and Pinchas Zukerman, and Umetsu often hosts salon evenings in her Yorkville studio. With a long history of dressing opera singers, Umetsu was kind enough to offer some wisdom and advice about choosing flattering and comfortable gowns for stages of all sizes.

Spotlight on: Shauna Yarnell

Interview

"I'm a fitness junkie and I love cooking and baking. This year I have picked up tennis and it’s been a lot of fun. When you feel confident in various parts of your life you will feel less of a need to prove yourself when you are singing. This gives you more opportunity to take risks and trust yourself."

Spotlight on: Whitney Mather

Interview

"You get a rare opportunity to look into someone else's mind and heart and see the world how they do and it helps me to live with a little bit more grace than I may otherwise. It is also constantly a practice of bettering one's self, not only technically and musically, but personally, and I think that the grit required to look at yourself in such a critical way can only help you to be a better person in your every day life."

Spotlight on: Musa Ngqungwana

Interview

"Upon reflection, my response is rooted in my convictions, experience, appreciation and understanding that I have been granted with the gift of singing from the day I was born. However, when I was growing up, I didn’t know that I could sing. Nor did I know, upon discovering I could phonate, how good or bad I was at it. I think it’s fair to say I didn’t care that much or pay attention to such details at the time."

Spotlight on: Angel Blue

Interview

"Be yourself and be happy being yourself. Often times so many young singers in the opera world feel that they need to "fit in" with whatever is popular in the field. In slang terms we say, "do you!" Just be yourself and be happy being yourself, singing like yourself, looking like yourself, be comfortable with your voice...its strengths and its weaknesses. Even the weaknesses (if you choose to call them that) make you unique."

Standing out: Giles Tomkins joins the CCOC for The Hobbit

Interview

"The most fun is almost being a kid again. I grew up in choirs, not the CCOC, but it's kind of instilling this love of mythology and magic. I know it sounds corny but working with kids just bring such an energy to the rehearsal room. They bring a particular enthusiasm to the work which is infectious. You really find yourself becoming a kid again and re-instilling that love of theatre and stage."

Over the Misty Mountains: the CCOC on The Hobbit

Interview

"I think the hardest part was trying to figure out my character. For some characters, they're really specific in what they want and need, but other characters - like mine - you have to figure it all out on your own. I had go on the internet and find out a bunch of stuff on my character. "