The COC’s performance and administrative headquarters are located in Toronto, Ontario, also known as Tkarón:to, which in Kanien’kéha, means 'the place in the water where the trees are standing.'  

As a company, we are committed to ongoing co-creation and collaboration with Indigenous artists and communities. This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re pleased to share some of the incredible work created over the 2021/2022 season that features Indigenous artists or represents an Indigenous-led project.

The COC Ensemble Studio welcomes four new artists for the company’s 2022/2023 season: soprano Ariane Cossette, mezzo-sopranos Queen Hezumuryango and Alex Hetherington, and pianist Brian Cho. The four officially join the highly specialized development program for Canadian opera professionals this August, alongside returning sopranos Charlotte Siegel and Midori Marsh, baritone Jonah Spungin, bass-baritone Alex Halliday, and pianist Vladimir Soloviev.

Our inaugural Showcase Series featured five events spread across Asian Heritage Month, each celebrating the vast range of identities and experiences within Asian communities. Throughout the month, participants experienced musical performances featuring Chinese calligraphy, Japanese folk drumming, Malaysian choral music, and more! 

Here, the participating artists from our "From the COC Community" event—Timothy Cheung (former COC Ensemble Studio), Saeideh Rajabzadeh (Community Partnerships & Programs), Keith Lam (Ticket Services) and Midori Marsh (COC Ensemble Studio)—share reflections on their experiences and relationships with their Asian identity and its intersections with music and opera. Read on to hear from the artists themselves!