Association for Opera in Canada
2100 Bloor Street West M6S 5A5 Toronto, ON, Canada

Sign up for a year on us! Register for an Artist Membership online using the promo code OMEP2020 and help us reach our goal of welcoming 500 new Artist Members to the AOC family. For more details on registration and benefits included with the Artist membership visit our website: https://www.opera.ca/membership/

Event Reminder! On The Horizon: An Opera Sector Q&A. Check out some of the questions being answered by our panelists tomorrow! Already a member? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/on-the-horizon-an-opera-sector- Not yet a member? Become an Artist Member today and use the promo code OMEP2020 for a year on us.

Ask Monica a QUESTION! Leave your questions down below for panelist Gordon Gerrard for On The Horizon: An Opera Sector Q&A. Already a member? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/on-the-horizon-an-opera-sector- Not yet a member? Become an Artist Member today and use the promo code OMEP2020 for a year on us. Dutch-Canadian Lyric Soprano, Monica Huisman has been hailed as possessing a soprano voice that ’embodies both flawless technique and dramatic impact’ (Opera Canad...a). Ms. Huisman has delighted audiences from Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw to Guatemala City to Rio de Janeiro, with the reputation of her ‘silken’ voice ‘consistently crafting each note into a work of art’ (Winnipeg Free Press). In demand for both her Operatic prowess and her Concert repertoire, Ms. Huisman has performed with every major orchestra across Canada, and abroad, delighting audiences in both opera, the classics, new works ,pops as well as in recital. Mozart, Handel, Haydn, Mendellsohn, Vaughan-Williams, Bizet, Verdi, Puccini, Mahler, Beethoven and Strauss are just a few of the composers whose works she has not only infused with her passionate voice, but also had broadcasted on the CBC and the VARA, in Europe. In demand as a teacher and clinician, Ms. Huisman has been on the voice Faculty at the Desautels Faculty of music since 2002, and has been a guest teacher with every major University across Canada, as well as summer opera training programs, most recently the DEAP for Manitoba Opera. Upcoming engagements include a socially distanced concert with MOA and the WSO of opera arias. See more

Ask Marion a QUESTION? Leave your questions down below for panelist Gordon Gerrard for On The Horizon: An Opera Sector Q&A. Already a member? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/on-the-horizon-an-opera-sector- Not yet a member? Become an Artist Member today and use the promo code OMEP2020 for a year on us. Kwagiulth and Stó:l mezzo-soprano Marion Newman (she/her) sings with rich, opulent tone, and her delivery pulses with the multiple meanings of her duplicitous ex...istence." (Opera News) Roles include Rosina and Carmen, Dr. Wilson in Missing and she was nominated for a Dora Award in the title role of Shanawdithit. Marion is a member of the Indigenous Advisory Council of the Regina Symphony, sits on the advisory board of the Canadian Music Centre of BC, the Association for Opera in Canada and is part of the Circle of Indigenous Artists for the Canadian Opera Company. Marion is always working on rising to the expectations of her talented and respected colleagues who continue to give her opportunities to share her voice as a speaker, teacher, facilitator, dramaturge and as a Co-Founder of Amplified Opera. Upcoming appearances include Migrations in her debut with the Welsh National Opera. See more

Got a QUESTION for Gordon? Leave your questions down below for panelist Gordon Gerrard for On The Horizon: An Opera Sector Q&A. Already a member? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/on-the-horizon-an-opera-sector- Not yet a member? Become an Artist Member today and use the promo code OMEP2020 for a year on us. Gordon Gerrard is a respected figure in the new generation of Canadian musicians. He is active in symphonic, operatic and ballet repertoire throughout Canada a...nd internationally. After an international search, Gordon was appointed the Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra beginning in the 2016-2017 season. He was the Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, a position which was created for him after two highly successful seasons there as Assistant Conductor. For four seasons Gordon held the positions of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur for Calgary Opera. Gordon has worked with many orchestras and opera companies across Canada, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Edmonton Opera and the National Ballet of Canada; as well as the Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsburg and the European Music Academy. Gordon is a frequent guest conductor for educational institutions, including Opera Nuova, Banff Centre, Opera McGill, UBC Opera and the Glenn Gould School of Music. See more

Ask Anna a QUESTION! Leave your questions down below for panelist Anna Theodosakis for On The Horizon: An Opera Sector Q&A. Already a member? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/on-the-horizon-an-opera-sector- Not yet a member? Become an Artist Member today and use the promo code OMEP2020 for a year on us. Anna Theodosakis is a stage director, choreographer, and educator based in Toronto. She is a sessional lecturer for the University of British Columbia and is a gue...st lecturer this season with Dalhousie University, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Toronto, University of Lethbridge, the Glenn Gould School, and the University of Manitoba. Anna is a dramatic coach for the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio and directed the Ensemble in their 2019 mainstage performance of La bohème. She also directed the COC’s Opera for Young Audiences WOW Factor: A Cinderella Story. Recent directing credits include: Die Fledermaus (Dalhousie University), Don Giovanni (Brott Opera), and dawn always begins in the bones (University of Toronto/Manitoba, COC Ensemble, 21C Festival). This summer she will direct Brott Opera’s Cosi fan tutte See more

We are thrilled to share the results of the first National Arts and Culture Impact Survey! The inaugural survey received just over 2,000 responses from artists, arts workers and organizations. ENGLISH REPORTS: http://bit.ly/nacis-enrsc FRENCH REPORTS: http://bit.ly/enrsc-nacis

We send our congratulations to Rich Coburn on receiving the Alumni Enterprise Award from the Music Academy of the West! We were honoured to support Rich in his application and are committed to supporting this exciting new platform and resource.

RFP: Communications Consultant! The AOC is accepting proposals for a communications consultant/ team. Application deadline is February 5, 2021. For more details, visit the application here: https://www.opera.ca//Opera-Impact-Platform-Project-Commun

You asked- Jaclyn answered! Thanks to all those who wrote in with questions. To hear more from Jaclyn on time management register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/somehow-i-manage-my-time-ticket

NATS Presents "Covid-19 Relief Act 2 & the Singing Community" Tonight, Jan 14 at 5pm EST. Singing teachers, studio owners, singers, collaborative pianists, and associated professions are for funding from the second COVID-19 Relief Act. This is such great news! Join us as we outline the options for you and help you prepare to apply and receive funding as a small business, self-employed, or gig worker.

We want to hear from you! To register for the workshop click here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/somehow-i-manage-my-time-ticket

Congratulations to our friends at Musique 3 Femmes, Opera5 and Opera McGill!

Calling all opera artists! The Association for Opera in Canada is conducting strategic consultations on the theme The Future We Want, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the important conversations happening surrounding equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Results will help inform our new strategic plan, a framework for the sector’s recovery and resilience, and will be shared with opera companies and artists across Canada. Want to get involved?... If you are an opera student/emerging artist, click here to sign up to participate: https://forms.gle/wbM9s9mbLKndEKQs7 If you are an established artist, click here to sign up to participate: https://forms.gle/STk4pYcAR3p1t8uW7 See more

I’m excited to kick-off the new LINK virtual workshop series with this session where I will share my best tips and advice for artists exploring multi-faceted/adjacent opportunities to stand out in the crowd.

It’s the last day to complete the NACIS opera artists and opera organizations! Be a part of the first national arts and culture impact survey.

Our first free workshop- Standing Out in the Crowd: Demystifying the job search process- is TOMORROW! How to attend? 1. Become an Artist Member: https://www.opera.ca/membership/opera-artist/ (costs covered this year through OMEP)... 2. Register here: https://aocvirtualworkshops.eventbrite.ca Check your email for workshop details plus access code!

It's never to late to get your Artist Membership! This membership level is for our sector’s most valuable asset and joining grants you access to unequalled information on opportunities and training for all our sector workers. In an effort to support artists during this difficult time, the option for a year of Artist Membership regardless of ability to pay is available to all Canadians this year by using g the code OMEP2020. To register, visit: https://www.opera.ca/membership/opera-artist/ . All members gain access to the AOC's new initiatives and programs, created to support our community. Our first workshop, "Standing Out in the Crowd: Demystifying the job search process" is on November 24th with AOC's Executive Director, Christina Loewen.

Announcing our brand new Virtual Workshop Series! It will kick off on November 24th at 2pm EST with AOC's Executive Director, Christina Loewen! As an artist, you've got all the skills, but what if you want to pursue a multi-faceted work opportunity? How can you highlight your talents to meet the needs of employers and stand out in the crowd? Christina will offer some simple tips you can apply right away to fine-tune your job applications, resume, and cover letter, and make it easy to tailor to any opportunity you wish to pursue. To take part in our free workshop series, make sure to sign up for an AOC artist membership here: https://www.opera.ca/membership/opera-artist/with the promo code OMEP2020. Once registered as a member, you can sign up to participate in our workshops and other upcoming a

Rebecca Cuddy - Mezzo Soprano will be doing an instagram takeover tomorrow! She is a font of knowledge and is here to answer your questions. Be sure to follow The Association for Opera in Canada on Instagram!

Announcing the RBC Future Launch LINK Emerging Artist Fellows!

The Association for Opera in Canada is proud to announce a new level of membership opportunity called Artist Membership! This membership level is for our sector’s most valuable asset and joining grants you access to unequalled information on opportunities and training for all our sector workers. In an effort to support artists during this difficult time, the option for a year of Artist Membership regardless of ability to pay is available to all Canadians this year by using g... the code OMEP2020. To register, visit: https://www.opera.ca/membership/opera-artist/ . All members gain access to the AOC's new initiatives and programs, created to support our community. This includes our brand-new Workshop Series, the second program in the Leadership Innovation Networking Knowledge (LINK) Artist Programs. Workshops will focus on professional skill-development and will be available for all Artist Members in an effort to make learning accessible for everyone. Our first workshop, "Standing Out in the Crowd: Demystifying the job search process" is on November 24th with AOC's Executive Director, Christina Loewen.

Today Rich Coburn led our Fellows and consultation facilitators through a workshop on "Mediation and Empathetic Communication". We can't wait to apply this knowledge to our work as portfolio artists and to our upcoming strategic consultations (more information coming soon)!

Today is World Opera Day! Because we aren't able to make opera in the ways we've been used to, I've been so fortunate to be able to work with these amazing folx... here at Amplified Opera: (L-R) Aria Umezawa, (me), @Marion Newman, @Rich Coburn, Jaclyn Grossman and Asitha Tennekoon in making opera more diverse, accessible and boundary pushing these past 7 months. This is the future I want for opera: to feel safe and celebrated to be oneself in opera! Thanks Association for Opera in Canada! . #thefuturewewant #worldoperaday #operaincanada See more

Today is #worldoperaday and to celebrate we asked artists & art partners about the #thefuturewewant for opera and their collaboration with Pacific Opera Victori...a! From the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC), here is Ron Rice’s lovely answer. Association for Opera in Canada #operaincanada #opera #yyjarts

On #WorldOperaDay, we at Opera Canada want to tell our readers: We're watching with awe at the amazing work being done by Canadian opera companies. You've trans...formed the opera scene - bravi, all. #opera #canadianoperasingers #oc60 Vancouver Opera Pacific Opera Victoria Edmonton Opera Calgary Opera Manitoba Opera Canadian Opera Company Opéra de Montréal Opéra de Québec Tapestry Opera Indie Opera West Indie Opera T.O Against The Grain Theatre Amplified Opera Association for Opera in Canada Opera InReach Essential Opera Loose TEA Music Theatre Toronto City Opera Toronto Operetta Theatre Opera Atelier Saskatoon Opera Opera Revue

To celebrate #worldoperaday2020 we asked Opera McGill students what they want for the future of opera. Here are their responses! What would you like to see for ...the future of opera? #operamcgill #future #operacanada #operaamerica #operaeuropa Schulich School of Music of McGill University

Community. Community is comforting. Community is challenging. None the less we need community. We need Jamii.... This summer with Jamii Esplanade I had the amazing opportunity to take part in their project called Wind Stories. For the first time I was using opera to create and collaborate like never before. Using the stories of real people in the Esplanade community to create something new. Enjoy this video with the amazing singer and drummer Blackfoot Standing Association for Opera in Canada OPERA America #TheFutureWeWant #WorldOperaDay : @Laura Dittman

#WorldOperaDay This fall, our Opera Makers program partnered with local organizations to provide weekly online opera workshops. Sistema Toronto, West Neighbo...urhood House & Heydon Park Secondary School are working with our COC Teaching Artists to bring opera creation to young people across Toronto. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the year as these young Opera Makers continue to work on their original operas!

Thank you to all our mentors, directors, and founders who participated in this video. We are thankful for the ability to practice on the lands that we practice ...on and make that clear in our video. "On world opera day, we acknowledge all that opera is, was, and what we strive for it to be." We at Opera InReach do not take this lightly. Opera is the epitome of collaboration within creation, and we want that collaboration to be at the forefront. We want to see a collective desire to build an industry based in the society that it belongs to. We want art to be for the people. We want equity, not for equity's sake but because it is a necessary good to restore humanity to our artform. Opera is so many wonderful things and on World Opera Day, we reflect on those but ask how we can ensure those wonderful aspects of our art form are reflected in our industry as well. The Association for Opera in Canada asks, what is the #FutureWeWant? The future we want is one that continues to question how the future can be better. This is World Opera Day, and we are Opera InReach. Gwendolyn Yearwood Perri Lo Rebecca Cuddy Daevyd Pepper Andrew Adridge Daniela K Agostino Jayne Hammond Spencer Kryzanowski Tamar Simon Camille Rogers Nolan Kehler

Happy #WorldOperaDay an opportunity for our international community to share the beauty and power of opera at a time when we need it most. Throughout the day... we'll be sharing your favourite clips from our popular #OperaAtHome series, while also exploring the ways that opera can make a positive impact in our local communities. : Gary Beechey