COC Welcomes Rising Opera Singers to the 2009/10 Ensemble Studio

The Canadian Opera Company is proud to announce the addition of six young artists to its renowned training program: intern music coach Anne Larlee, intern director Alistair Newton, soprano Simone Osborne, mezzo-soprano Wallis Guinta, baritone Adrian Kramer and bass Neil Craighead. These young artists join returning members: sopranos Laura Albino, Ileana Montalbetti and Teiya Kasahara; mezzo-soprano Erin Fisher tenors Michael Barrett and Adam Luther; and bass Michael Uloth.

Widely recognized as the country’Äôs foremost performance and training program for young opera professionals, the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio celebrates its 30th anniversary during the 2009/10 season.

Ensemble Studio members participate in a diverse and challenging training program that includes intensive vocal coaching, language studies, acting, personal training and Alexander Technique classes. They also participate in seminars and masterclasses with internationally recognized professionals. Ensemble members understudy as well as perform leading and supporting roles in COC mainstage productions. In addition, they participate in the COC’Äôs annual Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour, which provides young audiences throughout Ontario with an introduction to the world of opera. The 2009/10 school tour runs throughout the month of November 2009, delighting young audiences with and an bridged version of Rossini’Äôs The Barber of Seville and a production of Cinderella featuring a mix of Rossini and Massenet operas.

COC General Director Alexander Neef extends the company’Äôs warmest congratulations to sopranos Betty Allison, Lisa DiMaria, baritone Alexander Hajek, vocal coach Christopher Mokrzowski and conductor Samuel Tak-Ho Tam, who all graduate from the 2008/09 Ensemble Studio program this season.