Bass Jason Somerville recently graduated with his B.Mus in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. He discovered his passion for opera after joining the chorus of Edmonton Opera in 2016 (Turandot, Cenerentola, Les Feluettes, Don Giovanni, La Traviata & Rigoletto) going on to perform his first role as Betto in Pop Goes the Opera’s production of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Since then, he has portrayed an array of characters with the UBC Opera Ensemble, including Don Alhambra (The Gondoliers), Bartolo (Le Nozze di Figaro), Nonancourt (Il cappello di paglia di Firenze), Dr. Cajus (Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor), Jezevec/Farář (Příhody lišky Bystroušky), and Don Alfonso (Cosi fan Tutte).

In Spring 2024, he debuted with Burnaby Lyric Opera as Colline in Puccini's timeless classic La bohème and with City Opera Vancouver in Missy Mazzoli’s multimedia chamber opera Song from the Uproar. Having diverse interpretive interests, Jason obtained a certificate in Electronic Music Production at the Art Institute of Vancouver, followed by certification as a Sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild.

Jason Somerville was generously supported by the Ruby Mercer Endowment.

Mezzo/Alto, Hillary Tufford is a versatile and engaging performer, noted for her “rich, velvety tone,” (Dawn Martens, Opera Canada).

Last season, Hillary performed Duruflé’s Requiem with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir and she sang the title role in Bizet’s Carmen with Toronto City Opera. This season Hillary made her debut with The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, singing Handel’s Messiah, and she sang Canadian composer Romulo Delgado's oratorio, The Cross of Christ.

A Graduate of Western University (Masters in Literature and Performance), Hillary was invited to join the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program at Vancouver Opera where she sang Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hebe in HMS Pinafore, and “almost stole the show” as Lola in their concert performance of Cavalleria Rusticana (David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun).

Other highlights include singing Olga in Eugene Onegin (Highlands Opera), Flora in La Traviata (Brott Opera), and Nadia in Oksana G (Tapestry Opera).

Hillary was a District Winner (Metropolitan Opera Competition), finalist in The Mozart Project and IRCPA Singing Stars, and a Semi-Finalist at the Concours Internationale de Chant de Marmande.

Hillary Tufford was generously supported by the Banff Centre Artists' Awards.

Mezzo-soprano Grace Ronan completed her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at Wilfrid Laurier University in April 2024. Grace is currently studying with Wendy Nielsen at the University of Toronto in the Master of Music in Opera program. In October, Grace received 2nd place in the finals for the prestigious Norcop Prize in Song at UofT. Recent performance highlights include Dorabella in Così fan tutte (UofT Opera), Queen Arete in Castaway (UofT Opera), the Witch in Into the Woods (Opera Laurier), Meg March in Little Women (Opera Laurier), and Flora in La Traviata (Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony). Grace performs with a chamber choir and orchestra based in Waterloo, conducted by Ben Wallace. She was honoured to be the alto soloist with this ensemble in three premieres of Canadian composer Justin Lapierre’s choral works: The Gatherers (June 2025), One Thousand Shields of Gold (June 2024), and Messe de Ste. Anne (June 2022). In October of 2025, Grace will be premiering the role of Leah in a workshop performance of a new musical, Finding Her Voice written by Lori-Ann Clancy with music by Canadian composers Justin Lapierre and Ian Cusson.

Grace Ronan was generously supported by the Banff Centre Artists' Awards.
 

Canadian soprano Emma MacNeil is celebrated for her “purity of tone” (Ludwigvan) and “compelling stage presence” (Opera Ramblings). She is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Historical Performance at the University of Toronto under the guidance of Jean Macphail and Daniel Taylor. A graduate of Queen’s University (BMus) and The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, where she earned an Artist Diploma in Opera studying with renowned soprano Stephanie Bogle, Emma has developed a reputation as a versatile and dedicated performer.

Recent highlights include her portrayal of Sister Constance in Dialogues des Carmélites by Francis Poulenc and Laurel in The Laurels by Jeffrey Ryan at The Glenn Gould School. Additional roles include Cleopatra in Handel’s Julius Caesar (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre), Controller in Jonathan Dove’s Flight (GGS), and Shepardess in John Blow’s Venus and Adonis (GGS).

Combining opera, musical theatre, dance, and acting, Emma’s artistry is defined by her versatility, passion, and a commitment to delivering performances that captivate and inspire audiences.

Emma MacNeil was generously supported by the Anonymous Artist Award.

Camila Montefusco is a storyteller at heart. Described as possessing “an instrument of remarkable power and endurance” (Revue L'Opéra Québec), the Brazilian-born mezzo-soprano is a current member of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal.

Recent highlights include her mainstage debut as Maman in L’Enfant et les sortilèges with the Orchestre de l'Agora, Madame Flora in The Medium with the Orchestre classique de Montréal, and Annio in La clemenza di Tito. She also toured nationally as part of Debut Atlantic’s roster. Closing her 2024-2025 season, Camila will make her role debut as Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale at the Banff Centre.

Previous seasons have seen her in Rinaldo (Handel), Svadba (Ana Sokolović), Suor Angelica (Puccini), and The Mother of Us All (Thompson).

As a co-founder of the Obsidiana Duo, Camila believes in the importance of Latin-American musical culture and history. By bringing the music of historically overlooked composers to the stage, she strives to amplify the voices of communities that have long been silenced. Whether in opera or recital, Camila hopes to connect with audiences through art and inspire a world that hungers for change.

Camila Montefusco was generously supported by the Banff Centre Artists' Awards.

Briana Sutherland is a Canadian mezzo-soprano whose artistry and passion for music were nurtured in a vibrant musical community in Northern Ontario. She has gained recognition for her dynamic stage presence, with recent role credits including Rosette (Manon), Olga Olsen (Street Scene), Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore), Nancy (Albert Herring), Meg Page (Falstaff), Vera Boronel (The Consul), Alyson (A Grand Night for Singing), and the Second Fairy in the Drunken Poet scene of The Fairy Queen.

In concert, Briana has performed major oratorio works such as Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Requiem. She has also performed internationally with organizations such as the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, London Symphonia, International Symphony Orchestra, Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, Opera NUOVA, the Breno Italy International Music Academy (BIIMA), and Nebula Performances.

Briana holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Western University and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Opera Performance at the University of British Columbia.

Briana Sutherland was generously supported by the Banff Centre Artists' Awards.

Anna is a mezzo-soprano from Ontario who would not stop singing when she was little; she never really stopped. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Opera at UBC. She graduated from Western University with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with Honors. Anna recently sang the role of Olga Olsen in UBC’s production of Street Scene. She has also performed as Buttercup in HMS Pinafore, Madame de la Haltiére in Cendrillon, Lapák in The Cunning Little Vixen and as Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana, with the UBC opera ensemble. In 2023 she performed in Italy, singing the role of Leonora in Scarlatti’s Il Trionfo dell’onore, as part of La Musica Lirica’s young artist program. Anna won the open voice category of the Ontario Music Festival in 2023. She is always looking for new opportunities to learn and fulfill her goal of bringing a little bit of wonder and magic to the world through music.

Anna O'Drowsky was generously supported by the David Spencer Emerging Vocalists Endowment Fund.

Alyssa Nicole Samson is a Vancouver-based Filipino-Canadian artist passionate about advocacy through contemporary/new music. Notably, she is driven by her belief that classical music can make an impact that transcends beyond traditional performance settings. This is evidenced by her breadth of experience leveraging music to advocate for marginalized voices, share contemporary stories about pivotal societal issues, and build community between musicians and non-musicians alike. This passion for unity has brought her opportunities to perform internationally in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the United States, in addition to working with musical communities across Canada.

On the stage, Alyssa is committed to a fiery presence to every role she brings to life. Recent highlights for the 2023-2024 season include Mrs. XE in Angels Bone and Shi Ping in Thunderstorm. Alyssa also had the pleasure to workshop the role of Medusa/Melpomene in Monster’s Made with Good Mess Opera Theatre. For the 2024-2025 season, Alyssa collaborates with Re:Naissance Opera for the world premier of Eurydice Fragments. In addition to performance, Alyssa is currently working with Re:Naissance Opera through the Convergence Cohort program to develop her own piece, Hiraya, an exploration of identity and community within the Filipino diaspora through theatre and song.

Alyssa holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia under the tutelage of mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabo.

Alyssa Samson was generously supported by the David Spencer Emerging Vocalists Endowment Fund.

During the Canadian premiere of Walter Braunfels’ opera The Birds, Alex Chen’s passions for classical music and zoology came together.

Alex is a collaborative pianist, baritone, and vocal coach. Yet he began his professional life studying zoology and working with birds – entertaining crows, flying kestrels, and trading glances with owls on his gloved hand.

Alex grew up in Cambridge, ON beginning piano lessons at 9 and voice at 12. While studying science at the University of Guelph he pursued a minor in music. Unable to resist the allure of a juicy melody, a rich story, or a misty musical passage, he pursued the Master’s in Collaborative Piano program at Western University.

Alex moved West to study with Baroque soprano Nancy Argenta. Now, he is a key member of the Victoria musical community, frequently performing as an art song collaborator, solo singer, and opera chorus member.

His projects with Gay4Nature Collective (co-founder), BC Culture Days, and Ocean Wise provide outlets for Alex to share the crossover between human music and the natural world.

Alex Chen was generously supported by the David Spencer Emerging Vocalists Endowment Fund.

Heard in a wide variety of roles, Italian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Alessia Vitali has been praised for her “dedication to character and spine-tingling freedom” (emerging artist reviews).

Alessia is in her first year of the McPhee Artist Development Program. Her 2024-25 Calgary Opera season includes a role study of Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the title role in Nino Rota’s family-friendly production of The Witty Squirrel, and the role of La Ciesca in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

Recent highlights include Signora Guidotti in the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory’s production of I due Timidi by Nino Rota, participation in a Good Mess Theatre’s workshop for a new Canadian Opera titled Monsters Made by Roan Shankaruk, Mercédès in Carmen by Bizet with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Miles in Grand River Opera's production of The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten, Old Lady with the North York Concert Orchestra in their production of Candide and Rosina in the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra's concert version of Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Alessia received a Master of Music in Opera Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Elizabeth McDonald.

Alessia Vitali was generously supported by the Banff Centre Artists' Awards.