Emma Pennell (they/them) is a Two-Spirit opera singer with Mi’kmaw roots from South River, rural Northern Ontario. Educated in Voice Performance and Indigenous Studies at Western University, Cambrian College, and The Glenn Gould School, Pennell is an Indigenous activist dedicated to carving spaces in opera. They recently debuted at Koerner Hall with Tanya Tagaq for The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Pennell’s notable roles include Alice Ford in Verdi’s Falstaff and Kitty in Ian Cusson’s Indians on Vacation at the Banff Centre. In October 2024, they placed as a finalist and secured Second Prize in the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio Competition.