Meet the Centre Stage Finalists

Selected from 78 singers heard by judges on our national audition tour, our seven talented finalists will perform live at this year's Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition on October 30.

We asked each finalist a few questions to get to know the people behind the performances.

Read on to meet our finalists!

Chelsea Kolić, soprano
Hamilton, ON

COC: Where would we find you on your days off? 

Kolić: When the weather is good, I enjoy being out in nature and exploring different neighbourhoods in Montréal. On rainy days, you'll find me curled up on the couch with my puppy, a cup of tea, and a good book. 

COC: Are there any sports/teams you’re really into?

Kolić: I played many sports as a kid, and will always enjoy a good ice-hockey game! I've also felt immense pride watching the Croatian soccer team over the past few years, as they've allowed such a small country to receive international recognition.

COC: Do you have any pets?

Kolić: We have a nine-month-old dachshund puppy named Miniato ("Mini" for short). He's our pride and joy!

COC: What would you list as one of your biggest pet peeves?

Kolić: People who start a trill on the lower note... also clutter stresses me out... 

Olivia LaPointe, soprano
Fredericton, NB

COC: In another life, I might have been a really great ____

LaPointe: Detective... I do love true crime stories!

COC: What is the last show (or shows) that you binge-watched?

LaPointe: I love shows like Dateline and 48 Hours, but lately, Criminal Minds has been my go-to.

COC: Do you have anything you’d call an irrational fear?

LaPointe: Clowns have always freaked me out!

COC: Do you have any pets?

LaPointe: I have an adorable and funny little dog named Jameson, but he lives with my parents in Fredericton, so I miss him terribly!

Ariana Maubach, mezzo-soprano
Toronto, ON

COC: What are you listening to when you’re not listening to classical?

Maubach: All my moods are covered with either Adele or Ariana Grande.

COC: In another life, I might have been a really great ____

Maubach: Fashion curator or Trader Joe’s Employee of the Month.

COC: Do you have anything you’d call an irrational fear?

Maubach: Being stuck in Toronto traffic and missing an opening night. Unfortunately, that’s not so irrational.

COC: What would you list as one of your biggest pet peeves?

Maubach: Scraping car tires on a curb (my dad is wincing), plastic grocery bags breaking, and loud subway talkers—it's too hard to choose “one.”

Nicholas Murphy, bass-baritone
Charlottetown, PEI

COC: What are you listening to when you’re not listening to classical?

Murphy: Lots of Nora Jones, John Coltrane, Tommy Dorsey

COC: In another life, I might have been a really great ____

Murphy: Lawyer, and this one’s not over yet ;)

COC: What is the last show (or shows) that you binge-watched?

Murphy: Dimension 20’s Fantasy High. What’s better than actual high school than pretending to be in high school?

COC: What would you list as one of your biggest pet peeves?

Murphy: For sure, people who stand in line before their boarding zone is called. We all get on the plane!

Emma Pennell, soprano
South River, ON/Corner Brook Indian Band - Mi'kmaq

COC: Where would we find you on your days off? 

Pennell: Getting back to my roots in nature! I love to be on the land, fishing, hiking and letting the natural world inspire me as I write my poetry.

COC: What are you listening to when you’re not listening to classical?

Pennell: Life is a dance party, and my personal soundtrack ranges anywhere from Abba, to CharliXCX. I particularly love anything that blends Indigenous beats with hip hop like Snotty Nose Rez Kids and The Halluci Nation. 

COC: In another life, I might have been a really great ____

Pennell: Forrester or Conservation Officer! I spent many years memorizing tree species by their twig, leaf or cone in my highschool fishing, wildlife and forestry classes at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School. I know an embarrassing amount of tree facts, and no one walks down the street with me without getting a lesson on trees!

COC: Do you have any pets?

Pennell: I think I would love to be a pet parent to a turtle. I used to care for a red eared slider as a child named Shelldon, and I think they’re majestic fascinating creatures!

Mikelis Rogers, baritone
London, ON

COC: What are you listening to when you’re not listening to classical?

Rogers: If I’m trying to pump myself up, usually a lot of rap/hiphop, if I’m just relaxing or doing chores / going for a walk, I’ll listen to loads of stuff... Leonard Cohen, old Italian/Portuguese pop music, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder... Really I’ll listen to anything if it's “good."

COC: What is the last show (or shows) that you binge-watched?

Rogers: I think Curb Your Enthusiasm? I haven’t had much time lately. If I know I’ve got a lot of time off and want to binge watch something, I usually will rotate between The Sopranos, Curb, and/or Arrested Development.

COC: Do you have anything you’d call an irrational fear?

Rogers: Only thing I can think of is fear of forgetting how to sing the moment before I walk onto a stage. Happens probably every single time. I think “Do I remember my lines? Do I remember how to make sounds?” and then I get out there and it just kinda happens.

COC: Are there any sports/teams you’re really into?

Rogers: Unfortunately I made the painful decision around the age of 11 to become a diehard Cincinnati Bengals fan. This choice has wrought incalculable pain and agony to me for most of my life, and I’m hoping the coaching staff can figure things out so we don’t squander our amazing quarterback’s career.

Ilanna Starr, mezzo-soprano
Washington, DC/Montreal, QC

COC: Where would we find you on your days off? 

Starr: My perfect day off would be sitting by beautiful lake with a book soaking up the sun, but when a lake is not accessible, I'm usually home sleeping in late, doing yoga, some sort of meal prep, and catching up with friends and family. 

COC: What are you listening to when you’re not listening to classical?

Starr: I’m a HUGE Lawrence fan, also love Allen Stone, Teddy Swims, and Lake Street Dive.

COC: In another life, I might have been a really great ____

Starr: Owner of a sanctuary/shelter/farm for dogs. Or a dentist. 

COC: Do you have any pets?

Starr: Yes. Her name is Lucca (as in the Italian town where Puccini is from). She is a cattle dog/great pyrenees mix and she is perfect!