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Administration

Leadership

A portrait of Music Director Johannes Debus

Johannes Debus

Music Director

German-born conductor Johannes Debus was appointed Music Director of the Canadian Opera Company in 2009, having already established himself in many of the great opera houses and festivals worldwide. Over the course of his tenure, he has captivated Toronto and international critics alike, skillfully leading productions that include Götterdämmerung, Eugene Onegin, Otello, Salome, and the COC world premiere of Hadrian in 2018. Throughout the pandemic disruption of 2020-2022, his work for digital included the hosting of Solo Spotlights, a video series highlighting musicians of the COC Orchestra, as well as conducting for several of the company’s online presentations, including: In Winter, In Concert with Jane Archibald, and Bluebeard’s Castle. Debus most recently conducted the COC’s productions of Fidelio, Don Giovanni, and The Cunning Little Vixen, and will conduct Faust, La Reine-garçon, and Wozzeck in the company’s 2024/2025 season.

When he is not conducting at the COC, Debus is very active with international engagements that include appearances with the BBC Proms, the orchestras of Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Aspen, the National Arts Centre, Houston, and Toronto, at the Spoleto, Bregenz, and Tanglewood festivals, and at opera companies such as San Francisco, Berlin Staatsoper, Komische Oper Berlin, Oper Frankfurt, and Bayerische Staatsoper, among many others. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2016 conducting Salome, and returned the following year to conduct Les contes d'Hoffmann.

In 2021, Debus co-founded the Biglake Festival in Prince Edward County, Ontario. The annual summer event showcases music that bridges the past and present, originating from various countries and influenced by a diverse range of cultures from around the world.
A portrait of General Director David C. Ferguson

David C. Ferguson

General Director

David C. Ferguson is a well-known and widely respected leader across sectors and brings a strong record of professional accomplishment and personal passion for the arts to the role of General Director of the Canadian Opera Company. As an avid opera supporter, Mr. Ferguson has a long history of involvement with the COC that extends to time as both President and Chair of the company’s Board of Directors.

Prior to his retirement, he served as Executive Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of BMO Capital Markets. Mr. Ferguson’s previous experience includes 25 years in public accounting, including 16 years as a partner. In 2006, Mr. Ferguson was awarded the designation of Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA), an honour granted for career achievement, service to the profession, and community service.

Mr. Ferguson holds Bachelor of Commerce and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto.
A portrait of Deputy General Director and Executive Director, Philanthropy & Audiences, Christie Darville

Christie Darville

Deputy General Director and Executive Director, Philanthropy & Audiences

Christie Darville is an established leader in Canada’s not-for-profit sector with demonstrated expertise in strategic operations, team building, fundraising and stewardship, as well as collaborative community engagement.

Over her tenure with the Canadian Opera Company, Darville has brought contributed revenue to record levels and spearheaded a number of significant projects that include the revitalization of the Canadian Opera Company Theatre (located 227 Front St. E.) into a community-rooted platform for contemporary and diverse stories; the launch of COC’s Free Digital Membership, championing increased opera access through livestreamed and recorded opera experiences; the creation of Centre Stage Gala, the company’s signature annual fundraiser in support of the COC Ensemble Studio artist development program; and the merging of the COC’s Community Partnerships and Programs team with the Philanthropy & Audiences team for enhanced programming, cross-promotional, and relationship-building opportunities.

Darville was appointed to Deputy General Director in 2020, reflecting her cumulative achievements in furthering the company’s strategic goals as well as exceptional leadership demonstrated in guiding the COC through a years-long pandemic disruption. In her current role, Darville seamlessly manages and aligns the needs of the company’s artistic and administrative bodies, the COC Board and Canadian Opera Foundation, as well as external supporters and stakeholders.

Previous to joining the Canadian Opera Company, Darville served as Associate Director of Development, Faculty of Arts & Science with the University of Toronto, leading the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns, and overseeing all major gift activity, annual giving, and research portfolios.

Executive Office

  • Marguerite Schabas

    Executive Assistant to the General Director

Artistic Planning

  • Roberto Mauro

    Director, Artistic Planning

  • Karen Olinyk

    Contracts Manager

  • Olwyn Lewis

    Company Manager

  • Sandra Horst

    Price Family Chorus Master

  • Derek Bate

    Assistant to the Music Director

  • Kathryn Garnett

    Senior Manager, Scheduling

  • Ness Wong

    Artistic Planning Coordinator

  • Alannah Dzijacky

    Production Assistant

  • Tanvi Vyas

    Production Assistant

  • Janet Anderson

    Orchestra Personnel Manager

  • Ondrej Golias

    Interim Music Librarian

Artistic Planning—Ensemble Studio

  • Dorian Cox

    Director, COC Ensemble Studio

  • Liz Upchurch

    Head of Music, Ensemble Studio

  • Wendy Nielsen

    Head Vocal Consultant

  • Jennifer Swan

    Performance Kinetics Consultant

  • Steven Leigh

    Corrective Phonetics for Opera Singers Specialist (C-PhOS) and Lyric Diction Coach:

Production

  • Mike Ledermuller

    Technical Director

  • Michael Freeman

    Production Manager

  • Michael Kangas

    Lighting & Projection Design Supervisor

  • Taylor Long

    Manager, Digital Production

  • Murphy Diggon

    Assistant Production Manager

  • Laura Coleman

    Assistant Technical Director

  • Nida Haroon

    Assistant Technical Director

  • Monica Sass

    Head Electrician

  • Douglas Claus

    Assistant Electrician

  • Josh McGill

    Assistant Electrician

  • Craig Kadoke

    Head of Sound

  • Russell Hawley

    Assistant Sound

  • Gregg Feor

    Head of Stage Digital

  • Paul Watkinson

    Head Carpenter

  • Paul Otis

    Assistant Carpenter

  • Jason Kewell

    Head Flyperson

  • Simon Evans

    Head of Properties

  • Bryan Watkinson

    Assistant Head of Properties

  • Aiden Nagle

    Head of Front of House

  • Doug Closs

    Core Crew

  • Chris Hains

    Core Crew

  • Amy Cummings

    Scene Shop Coordinator

  • David Retzleff

    Head Scene Shop Carpenter

  • Andrew Walker

    Assistant Scene Shop Carpenter

  • Scott Kitcher

    Rehearsal Head Technician

  • Wulf Higgins

    Properties Supervisor

  • Sophie Moynan

    Properties Assistant

  • Sandra Corazza

    Head of Costumes

  • Chloe Anderson

    Costume Coordinator

  • Natassia Brunato

    Costume Coordinator

  • Violet Laconte

    Costume Assistant

  • Erica Theriault

    Costume Assistant

  • Erin Huitema

    Cutter

  • Amelia Taverner

    Head of Wardrobe

  • Tracey Radford

    Assistant Wardrobe

  • Sharon Ryman

    Wig & Make-up Supervisor

  • Cori Ferguson

    Head of Wig & Make-up Crew

  • John Sharpe

    SURTITLES™ Producer

  • Olwyn Lewis

    SURTITLES™ Assistant

  • Aislinn Ritchie

    SURTITLES™ Assistant

  • Ward Jardine

    Supernumeraries Coordinator

  • Elizabeth Walker

    Supernumeraries Coordinator

  • Siobhan Richardson

    Fight & Intimacy Coordinator

Community Partnerships & Programs

  • Makenzie Morgan

    Director, Community Partnerships & Programs

  • Madeleine Smith

    Manager, Community Partnerships & Programs

  • Frangely Luciano

    Coordinator, Community Partnerships & Programs

  • Meaghan Froh Metcalf

    (on leave)

  • Emily Lapin

    Interim Manager, Free Concert Series

  • Annemarie Cabri

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Timothy Cheung

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Isabella Fassler

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Tiffany Folmeg

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Chenise Mitchell

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Ineza Mugisha

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Renée Salewski

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Saman Shahi

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Anna Theodosakis

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Chris Thornborrow

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Roydon Tse

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Karine White

    Opera Teaching Artist

  • Meredith Wolting

    Opera Teaching Artist

Philanthropy & Audiences

  • Christie Darville

    Deputy General Director; Executive Director, Philanthropy & Audiences

  • Elizabeth Scott

    Executive Assistant to the Deputy General Director & Executive Director, Philanthropy & Audiences

  • Eric Yeung

    Vice President, Marketing

  • Amy Mushinski

    Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships:

  • Shawna Green

    Coordinating Producer & Covid Officer

  • Andrea Salin

    Senior Manager of Operations, Philanthropy & Audiences

  • Eldon Earle

    Senior Manager of Operations, Brand & Media

  • Manda Kennedy

    Senior Manager, Audience Insights

  • Taylor Long

    Manager, Digital Production

  • Alfred Erickson

    Patron Outreach Coordinator

Philanthropy & Audiences—Advancement

  • Kevin Brezina

    Director, Annual Campaigns

  • Norm Smyth

    Director, Signature Events

  • Emma Noakes

    Senior Manager, Stewardship & Engagement

  • Natalie Sandassie

    Senior Manager, Annual Programs

  • Emma Secord

    Coordinator, Annual Programs

  • Ashley Zwick

    Coordinator, Annual Programs

  • David Nimmo

    Senior Development Officer

  • John Kriter

    Advancement Operations Officer

  • Janet Stubbs

    Advancement Associate

Philanthropy & Audiences—Brand & Content

  • Gianna Wichelow

    Senior Manager, Creative & Publications

  • Connor Jessome

    Senior Manager, Brand & Content

  • Trilby Kent

    Content Officer

Philanthropy & Audiences—Public Relations

  • Avril Sequeira

    Director, Public Relations

  • Davin Leivonen-Fok

    Communications Coordinator

Philanthropy & Audiences—Ticket Services

  • William Ford

    Manager, Ticket Services

  • Jordana Green

    Assistant Manager, Ticket Services

  • Cat Haywood Stoop

    Ticket Services Supervisor

  • Alex Randazzo

    Ticket Services Supervisor

  • Charlin McIsaac

    Part-Time Ticket Services Supervisor

  • Alicia Plummer

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Allison Kinahan

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Anisa Nixon

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Isabella Rossi

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Karen Rajamohan

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Kate Estock

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Keith Lam

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Kevin Morris

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Rachel Roe-Wu

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Simon Vandenberg

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Tristan Crocker

    Ticket Services Representative

  • Zack Goldstein

    Ticket Services Representative

Finance & Administration

  • Saptarsi Saha, CPA, CA

    Director, Finance & Administration

  • Alice Zhou

    Controller

  • Juan Santos

    General Accountant

  • Daryus Azad

    Payroll Manager

  • Juhi Verma

    Payroll Specialist

  • Glen Ralph

    Accounts Payable Clerk

  • Lorrie Element

    Payroll Associate

  • Steven Sherwood

    Director, IT

  • Brad Staples

    Database Reporting Specialist

  • Paulin Shah

    Systems Administrator

  • Denis Coulliard

    Receptionist/Switchboard

Human Resources

  • Peter Ford

    Director, Human Resources

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

  • David Robitaille

    General Manager, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

  • Melynda Jurgenson

    Associate Director, Facility Management

  • Roxanne Vela Melliza

    Associate Director, Patron Services

  • Rachel McNamara

    Event Sales & Planning Manager

  • Melissa McDonnell

    Business & Events Coordinator

  • Megan Fischer

    Food & Beverage Manager

  • Lori MacDonald

    Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage

  • Stuart Constable

    Assistant Manager, Front of House

  • Karan Bagrecha

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Jamieson Eakin

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Shannon Farrell

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Dani Head

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Mackenzie Langdon

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Breanna Maloney

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Kevin Morris

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Deena Nicklefork

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Sabrina Pye

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Laura Stewart

    Patron Services Supervisor

  • Virginie Courbière

    Patron Services Lead

  • Madeleine Gagnon

    Patron Services Lead

  • Erica Theriault

    Patron Services Lead

Building Services

  • Myque Franz

    Facility Coordinator

  • Shanna Miller

    Production Coordinator, Production Services

  • Tatiana Rebello Gomes

    Facility Steward (COC)

  • Jana Kanakartnam

    Facility Steward (COC)

  • Cole Larson

    Facility Steward (COC)

  • Branislav Peterman

    Facility Steward (COC)

  • Julian Peters

    Facility Steward (COC)

  • Anthony Smith

    Facility Steward (COC)

  • Adrian Colas

    Facility Steward (FSCPA)

  • James Esposito

    Facility Steward (FSCPA)

  • Michael J. Hill

    Facility Steward (FSCPA)

  • Shaquille James-Hosten

    Facility Steward (FSCPA)

  • Alex Magalhaes

    Facility Steward (FSCPA)

  • Piotr Wiench

    Facility Steward (FSCPA)

  • Dave Samuels

    Security Supervisor

  • Zakaria Aden

    Security Guard

  • Evan R. Bawtinheimer

    Security Guard

  • Umar Farooq

    Security Guard

  • Shaquille James-Hosten

    Security Guard

  • Natalia Juzyc

    Security Guard

  • Usman Khalid

    Security Guard

  • Pavithra Sugumar

    Security Guard

  • Eric Sutton

    Security Guard

  • Dan Popescu

    Building Operator

  • Joe Tizzard

    Building Operator

  • Adrian Tudoran

    Building Operator

  • Paula Da Costa

    Bee-Clean Manager

  • Jennifer Barros

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Christine Bettencourt

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Milton Cardoso

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Nagat Gebrewold

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Luis Gutierrez

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Nash Lim

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Larissa Meleiro

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Jimmy Pacheco

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Daniel Pessole

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Luis Pupuche

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Aglay Silva

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Andres Silva

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Fernanda Silva

    Bee-Clean Staff

  • Ayda Torres

    Bee-Clean Staff