The COC Ensemble Studio—founded in 1980 with a generous continuing grant from Imperial Oil Limited and with assistance from the Government of Canada—is Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals.
It provides advanced instruction, hands-on experience, and the practical career development skills necessary to succeed as a self-employed artist in a highly competitive international environment.
The Ensemble is chosen through a national audition process. Members of the Ensemble Studio receive a blend of advanced study and practical experience. In this one- to three-year program, singers receive vocal, theatrical and practical career development instruction.
Their practical experience includes understudying major roles, the annual Xstrata Ensemble School tour, special Ensemble Studio chamber productions and a special Ensemble Studio performance of a COC mainstage production as well as roles in COC mainstage productions.
Apprentice stage directors, conductors and vocal coaches participate in the preparation of the company's mainstage productions, as well as School Tour performances and Ensemble Studio productions.
On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 the rising stars of the COC Ensemble Studio will perform the principal roles of La clemenza di Tito on the COC mainstage. All tickets $22 and $55. Buy your tickets now!
Six new artists will be joining the Ensemble Studio in the 2013/2014 season. Read more about them here:
On Thursday, November 29, 2012 we hosted the second annual Ensemble Studio Competition in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Canada’s finest young opera singers competed in front of a sold-out public audience for four cash prizes and the offer of a coveted position in the 2013/2014 Ensemble Studio.
Click here to read specific posts on the Ensemble Studio in Parlando, the COC blog.
Since its inception, more than 150 young Canadian singers, opera coaches, stage directors and conductors have acquired their first professional operatic experience through this program.
Graduates include such well known singers as Isabel Bayrakdarian, John Fanning, Robert Gleadow, Ben Heppner, Joseph Kaiser, Allyson McHardy, Jessica Muirhead, Wendy Neilsen, Gidon Saks and Krisztina Szabó.
Successful stage directors include Brian Deedrick, Tom Diamond, Roman Hurko and Maer Powell.
The Ensemble Studio program is designed to serve as a bridge between academic programs and the professional world of opera. Applicants must display exceptional talent, have extensive operatic training and a thorough musical education.
Auditions take place every fall in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and, if numbers warrant, Calgary. The final stage of the audition process is the Ensemble Studio Competition on November 29, 2012.
To apply to audition, please complete the application form by September 30, 2012.
Veuillez compléter le formulaire d’inscription avant le 30 septembre 2012.
For more information contact the COC's Ensemble Studio Administrator at 416-363-6671 or send an e-mail.
The COC Ensemble Studio is Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals and provides advanced instruction, hands-on experience, and career development opportunities. The Ensemble Studio is supported by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, RBC Financial Group and other generous donors.
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