91黑料网

What鈥檚 something someone might be surprised to find on your playlist?
Jazz jazz jazz!

How does music connect you to the community?
Music is all about connection! It鈥檚 a deep experience with yourself, teachers, musicians, and audience. For me, with music, it all comes together.

What would being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize enable you to do?
I would feel safer to travel next year and could do more Young Artist Program (YAPs) auditions without worrying about money. It would actually help me to travel more for auditions!

What鈥檚 a recent musical discovery you鈥檝e made?
I discovered a couple years ago that there were indigenous composers across Canada who compose Opera, often based on indigenous stories or legends. As a First Nations myself, I find it completely wonderful that I can interpret the work of those composers in their nation鈥檚 languages which are different than my own, the Innu-aimun.

What鈥檚 next for you?
I'll be in Hamilton in March 2022 recording The Potawatomi by Barbara Assiginaak, an amazing Anishnaabe composer. I'll do the role of Marianne. Also, I am going to Berlin this summer perform the role of Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus at Berlin Opera Academy.

What鈥檚 something someone might be surprised to find on your playlist?
My dad raised me on high-energy alternative indie and rock music. I don't think many would expect me to be listening to that if they passed me on the street!

How does music connect you to the community?
Music has always been my greatest connection to the community. As a child, my parents made up songs to sing to me and I did the same for them. I grew up always telling them to turn up the volume so we could scream along to the radio. I joined choirs early on in life, and by high school, music was my main source of connection to others. All of my closest friends were involved in choir, band, or musical theater, but even my friends who weren't involved in those things understood the power of music. I quickly learned that music is an art that everyone, from any background, can appreciate. It transcends. If you start a conversation by asking someone what music they like to listen to, you're likely to spark a passionate conversation and learn something new about them.

What would being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize enable you to do?
Being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize would allow me to pay off student debt and invest in future lessons, coachings, auditions, competitions, and travel fees. These costs can quickly add up as a young artist who is fresh out of school and trying to establish a career. It would be life-changing to have the award money to put myself out there and audition for as many opportunities as I can within the next few years in order to jump-start my professional career.

If you could meet any of the composers on your program, who would it be? What would you want to know?
What a challenging decision! I have reasons for wanting to meet all of them. I would like to meet and learn from Britten because I have worked on two of his operas and would love to learn from and work with him directly. Massenet and Strauss have an incredible output of some of the most exquisite opera and song, and I would love to talk with them about their musical world-building. I also want to meet Undine Smith Moore, a Black American composer and professor who produced music and writings that fascinate and inspire; a woman who has been overlooked by history and deserves to be heard. However, if I could only choose one, it would have to be Mozart. He is the most well-known name in classical music today and his works hold up as some of the best of all time. What would he think of this? How would he feel about how classical music has developed since the 18th century? What would he say if he saw a modern production of his works? We learn so much about Mozart in school, but the more answers I get, the more questions I have!

What鈥檚 next for you?
I look forward to spending this summer at the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory, where I will perform in a production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, take lessons and coachings from the world-renowned faculty, and perform in masterclasses and recitals. I plan to spend the fall working and auditioning for young artist and resident artist programs across North America. For the first time in my life, I will not be a student. It's stressful to not have every little aspect of my life planned out ahead of time, but I am excited to see what the future holds!

What鈥檚 something someone might be surprised to find on your playlist?
I don鈥檛 believe there is anything on my playlist that someone would find completely shocking. However, they may discover that it is super diverse. Nevertheless, an artist I've really been enjoying lately is H.E.R. Go listen to, "Best Part" and tell me what you think.

How does music connect you to the community?
Since music is such a universal language, I believe it allows me to connect with my community on a mental, physical and spiritual level. A melody they hear might remind them of a person, place, thing, or idea. Isn't music so flippin' cool?

What would being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize enable you to do?
My goodness! Winning the Wirth Vocal Prize would be such an honour. Not only would it enable me to cultivate my career outside of Canada, but it would significantly help with paying off pesky student loans.

If you could meet any of the composers on your program, who would it be? What would you want to know?
I would love to meet Tom Cipullo! I would simply want to talk to him about his process and tell him how beautiful his music is.

What鈥檚 next for you?
I'm thrilled about my goals for the future. I'm ready to increase my profitability as an artist by getting my life coaching certification from the ICF (International Coach Federation), and I'm ready to show the opera world what I'm made of.

Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I study with the lovely Dominique Labelle. I'm collaborating with Rebecca Klassen-Wiebe who was my Song Interpretation Class partner this year!

Do you have a favourite part of your program?
I really love my program and the way it flows together. I really enjoy how the Strauss and Duparc both contrast and complement one another.

What鈥檚 a recent musical discovery you鈥檝e made?
A big thing for me this year has been learning how to let the music lead me. This year in Song Interpretation I've been focusing on Duparc. I think it's really taught me how to trust the music I'm singing and expand into phrases instead of trying to always "make music happen.鈥� I'm learning to receive more from the music I make. It's so tempting to try to "make moments" but sometimes the most beautiful musical moment is when you trust the music to tell you how to phrase.

This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
This year singing has been a saving grace. To have a space where I can challenge myself and think creatively has been huge for my mental health. I think learning how to focus on music even when I'm not performing for others as much has really taught me how to thrive on the introspective part of the process.

When you鈥檙e not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
Especially in Montreal, I love long walks and exploring new parts of the city. I also love cooking and listening to music. Hopefully, I'll be cooking for my friends soon!

Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I study with Dominique Labelle and Jennifer Szeto is my pianist. She and I have worked many times together so it鈥檚 really wonderful to do this together. I will also collaborate with Sylvain Bergeron on theorbo for my Purcell piece, I鈥檓 really excited!

Do you have a favourite part of your program?
I hate the favourite questions! It鈥檚 never easy to pick just one鈥� I love that this program is a bit quirky because I only picked pieces I love and really wanted to sing. I have both old and new pieces on there - I love the feeling of pulling on an old sweater, and the nervous butterflies of a new piece! I do think the Lori Laitman piece Sitting on the edge is my favourite at the moment. She鈥檚 an American composer and has been so warm and generous in my correspondences with her. The music feels wonderful to sing and the poetry by Margaret Atwood is complex - it鈥檚 fascinating to explore.

What鈥檚 a recent musical discovery you鈥檝e made?
I recently did a Feldenkrais workshop. I have some experience with Alexander Technique and have been enjoying yoga lately, but I finished the workshop feeling like I鈥檇 been singing (well) for an hour when all I had sung was one line of music about 5 times throughout the morning. It was another reminder how much tension the body holds and how free the voice can be when all that is pared away. Now, to start practicing that鈥�!

This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Coming back to school this year has been a true gift. Having the opportunity to make music in the same room with others, to have lessons, coachings and rehearsals with such wonderful people has made me feel myself, after months of beginning to feel quite lost. Being able to participate and respond to music being made in the same room has made me feel human and alive again. It seems unthinkable that this is unusual or special鈥� this last year has felt somehow like an eternity. It鈥檚 hard to believe how much I was craving making music. I鈥檝e been so lucky to be able to experience this, being at 91黑料网. On the flip side, strangely, I have felt more connected to friends across the globe, musically speaking, as so many more concerts are being streamed. I鈥檝e been able to connect with music from all over in a way that wasn鈥檛 possible before. That being said, I can鈥檛 wait until we can safely bathe in the sights and sounds of live music!

When you鈥檙e not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
Kids.听 As soon as I walk in the door, they drag me from my thoughts and work, and I can delve into home life. I love our cuddles, pizza and movie nights, endless baking, and bike rides. This year though, I鈥檝e also begun doing yoga and that has been a game-changer. I have noticed a big difference in my focus and stress management. So that helps!

Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I studied with Tracy Smith Bessette in the fall term and Matthew Trevi帽o in the winter term. Esther Gonthier is my collaborative pianist.

Do you have a favourite part of your program?
My favourite part of my program is working with such insightful studio professors as well as the many opportunities that have been made for us singers.

What鈥檚 a recent musical discovery you鈥檝e made?
A recent musical discovery I have made is an incredible amount of release and freedom in my singing and I love how this feels!

This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Music has helped me find connection in many ways this year and I am grateful for that! I have found more connection with my artistic self this year, as well as connection with other students in performances and sharing music we enjoy listening to.

When you鈥檙e not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
To disconnect I love being outdoors on either a hike or a long bike ride by the water.

2. Where do you call home?

I am from Mexico; however, I have lived in Texas for almost ten years, and then Montreal for almost two years. Nonetheless, my home is where my dear husband Eric lives, San Jose California. Over there is where I am always happy no matter what the circumstances are, and I can always feel loved.

3. What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I am very passionate about cooking. My lovely mom taught me how to cook since before I can remember. When I was seven years old, I would make breakfast for my siblings and that included homemade flour tortillas. I love cooking for my friends, or family. I spend fifty percent of time cooking or thinking about cooking.

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2020 Wirth Vocal Prize?

I wanted to choose repertoire that tells people who Jenny Ivanovna is. I love every single piece I am singing and I am very excited to perform them. In addition to that, I wanted to make sure I present different styles, colors, and moods. Each piece tells a different story, and I am very excited to tell those stories.

5. What does it mean to you to be one of the Wirth finalists?

It is such an honor and I am very humbled to be one of the three 2020 Wirth finalists. This is such an incredible opportunity to go and do what we singers love to do the most while having in mind that the voice faculty believed in us, and decided to have us here. Above all, this is the most rewarding prize.

2. Where do you call home?

Coming from beautiful Niagara Falls, Canada I have loved my time at 91黑料网 and grown as a singer, as well as a person, in an encouraging environment that pushed and expanded my limits.

3. What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I have also had the chance to direct two one-act operas during my time at 91黑料网 which gave me a great perspective on what it is like to be on 鈥渢he other side of the table.鈥�

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2019-20 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

I am honored to be competing in the Wirth Vocal Prize this year with repertoire that sums up the vast musical experience I have received through the guidance of 91黑料网鈥檚 devoted faculty. My program reflects the joy and journey of refining my craft as an artist through a selection of my favourite things to sing. Thank you to Elizabeth Wirth and to 91黑料网 for this incredible opportunity, and good luck to the other finalists!

2.听 Where do you call home?

Officially, I call Richmond, in the Eastern Townships, home, but Montreal is where I live now.

3.听 What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I am a fervent knitter. It calms my nerves like nothing else, and you end up with something nice to wear afterwards. Plus, it makes perfect gifts for Christmas!

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2020 Wirth Vocal Prize?

I decided to pick pieces that, not only do I love, but are telling a story when all put together. It is a mixture of opera arias, art songs and musical theater, and it goes from the beginning of a new love to passion, then moves to conflict and separation.

5. What does it means to you to be one of the Wirth finalists?

For me, it means that my teachers and coaches do believe in me, and see the passion that I have for singing. It is an unbelievable honor to be able to show my talent and my art to the world. All I can do now is make them proud!

2.听 Where do you call home?

Home for me is the very small community of Merigomish, Nova Scotia, located roughly between Halifax and Cape Breton. I鈥檓 not sure of the exact population, but I would guess that it is around 200.

3.听 What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

Perhaps this isn鈥檛 so unexpected since I鈥檓 a music student, but I do like to play the piano! I took piano lessons for 9 years before starting voice, and did some collaborating during my undergraduate degree. I was also the full-time music director and organist at a local church during my grade 12 year of high school.

4.听 What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2018-19 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

It took me a very long time to get my full program together! I wanted to select music that didn鈥檛 make me feel overly nervous, but which also showed a variety of different colours and moods, and also played to my strengths. I did a lot of discussion with my voice teacher, as well as my coaches, and also just did a lot of personal thinking about what music I felt connected to. It was very difficult, but I think that I have a good program which highlights many different things that I feel good about as a singer. I鈥檓 probably the most excited to perform 贰谤濒办枚苍颈驳 by Schubert, since I love the drama of the different characters, and also because my pianist plays it very well! That being said, I鈥檓 also VERY partial to I Bought me a Cat, by Aaron Copland. It鈥檚 very fun.

5.听 What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

Being named the Wirth Vocal Prize winner would mean an awful lot to me. To be recognized for the work, time, and money that I have dedicated to bettering myself as an artist would be really fantastic, and the prize money would mean opening a lot of doors for my future in regards to auditions, applications, and travelling. That being said, there isn鈥檛 anyone competing who doesn鈥檛 deserve to be recognized for their similar dedication to the art. We are all working hard and strive to create music and make a living doing it, and at the end of the day I am confident that I will want to continue making music, no matter the outcome.

6.听 Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

My voice teacher is Joanne Kolomyjec, and my collaborative pianist (and also my roommate!) is Dakota Scott-Digout, and they are both absolutely fantastic! I鈥檇 also like to give a shout-out to some of my other teachers, who helped me to get to this point: Monica George-Punke, Donna Hargreaves-Cameron, Peter Groom, Christianne Rushton, and Wendy Nielsen all have all of my love, admiration and thanks!

2. Where do you call home?

I like to make myself at home everywhere I go, so every city I鈥檝e lived in so far feels like home to me. However, going back to Saguenay is always special to me. The smell of the woods and the calmness of the night makes me feel so safe. It simply feels right every time I go back.

3. What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I鈥檓 an aunt to six amazing nephews and nieces, and I鈥檝e therefore developed a quite outstanding capacity at inventing games 鈥� my favorites being the ones that involve lightsabers.

I鈥檓 also particularly talented at cake fights,which is a tradition in our family. I'm always proud to say that it's a talent that I inherited from my father. Let鈥檚 just say that you really want to be on our team鈥�

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2018-19 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

I鈥檓 pretty excited about my program for the finals! When it comes to choosing repertoire for a competition, I often feel it is easy to automatically pick the most virtuosic arias of your repertoire (especially when you are a coloratura soprano), but it was really important to me to present pieces that deeply inspire me and I鈥檓 really happy that I鈥檝e been able to include works from almost all of my favorite composers. I think the one that I鈥檓 most looking forward to singing is probably Ophelia鈥檚 Song by Jake Heggie.

5. What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

I already feel very lucky to be amongst the four finalists, but winning the Wirth Vocal Prize would obviously be an honour for me. I think that we have to acknowledge how incredible it is to have a competition of this importance at our school. Whatever what the outcome is, I find it truly amazing that this prize exists and that it will greatly contribute to the development of a young singer鈥檚 career.

6. Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

I am studying under Aline Kutan, and my pianist will be the lovely Julie Choi!

2. Where do you call home?

I鈥檓 originally from Niagara Falls Ontario!

3. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2018-19 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

For the Wirth Vocal Prize I chose to sing repertoire that I love! I chose many of my favourite arias and songs, and I鈥檓 very excited to sing the whole program! However, I鈥檓 most excited to sing Der H枚lle Rache from The Magic Flute because I am currently preparing to sing the role of the Queen of the Night with Opera 91黑料网 this coming February. The Queen has been my dream role to sing since I started singing!

4. What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?鈥�

To be named the winner of the Wirth Prize would mean so incredibly much to me. I really love studying at 91黑料网 and to be awarded this prize would make me feel very honoured. I would like to thank Schulich for this incredible opportunity and I the other finalists good luck!

5. Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

I currently study with Tracy Smith-Bessette, and during the finals, my collaborative pianist will be the incredible Jennifer Szeto.

2. Where do you call home?

I am originally from Gatineau (Quebec) but Montreal has definitely stolen my heart.

3. What is one unexpected talent or pastime you have?鈥�

I love playing hockey! In the winter, there is nothing I like more than to play a game with some friends at the rink after a long day at school.

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2017 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

It took me a while to choose my program for the Wirth Vocal Prize. I really wanted to show who I am in the repertoire but also explore many different styles. I am definitely most excited to perform the Poulenc set that I am singing. Deux po猫mes de Louis Aragon was written during World War II and it has always been very special for me to perform them.

5. What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?鈥�

Just to be part of the finals is already such a huge honor, I cannot imagine how you feel after winning!

6. Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

I am studying with Dominique Labelle. Esther Gonthier will be my collaborative pianist.

2. Where do you call home?

I was born in Newmarket and grew up in both Aurora and the tiny town of Sunderland (it can be found about 45 minutes west of Peterborough, Ontario). I鈥檝e also lived in Ottawa during the completion of my Bachelors and Masters degrees and I鈥檓 now approaching my two-year anniversary of moving to Montr茅al.

The only consistent place of gathering for my family and friends has been our family cottage in Haliburton, Ontario. This is where I feel most at home-- close to the people I love most, close to the water, and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I feel at home where the pavement ends.

3. What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I consider myself a bit of a green thumb, though my plants might disagree. I鈥檓 also an avid weekend explorer of small historical towns. My recent favorites include Essex (located along Lake Champlain in New York) and Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm.

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2017 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

I began by creating a shortlist with my top choices and then consulted with my coaches and teacher in selecting my program. We decided on a mix of operatic and song repertoire that challenges me to stretch both my voice and storytelling skills.

I鈥檓 most excited to perform all of it! I love singing in Pollack Hall and my program includes some of my favorite music. If I had to choose, I would pick the excerpts from Libby Larsen鈥檚 Try Me, Good King. The texts are the final letters and gallows speeches of the wives of King Henry VIII. I love digging into historical research and really admire the way that Larsen weaves elements of lute songs and bell-tolling throughout the cycle to reflect the inner crises and exterior reality of each queen.

5. What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

I already feel like a winner in being named a finalist. It鈥檚 such an honor to be recognized by my professors and the semi-final panelists in this way. The trajectory of change that I鈥檝e experienced over the past three terms has been everything I could have hoped for and more. It would be a testament to the vision of Aline Kutan, Michael McMahon, Stephen Hargreaves, Olivier Godin, and Patrick Hansen in hearing hidden possibilities in my voice and bringing them to light through our work together. Regardless of the competition outcome, I feel like I鈥檓 becoming the artist I always hoped and dreamed I could be.

6. Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

I鈥檓 currently studying with Aline Kutan and coaching with Stephen Hargreaves and Michael McMahon. Julien LeBlanc will be joining me at the piano on December 2nd.

2. Where do you call home?

Right now I call Montreal home! I also have deep connections to Detroit, Michigan where I taught 4th grade for three years and Minneapolis, Minnesota where I was born and raised.

3. What is one unexpected talent or pastime you have?鈥�

I鈥檓 a cowgirl! I love horses. I grew up trial riding with my mom and brother. My childhood horse Fauna still lives at my family鈥檚 home in Wisconsin and I ride her every time I visit.

4. What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2017 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

I wanted to choose repertoire that I really loved, that also showed my strengths as a performer. The selections I鈥檝e chosen have been pillars of my training here at 91黑料网. I鈥檝e enjoyed perfecting them over the past few months and I hope the hard work shows!听

5. What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?鈥�

It鈥檚 an honor to simply have been nominated for the Wirth Vocal Prize. This school is full of talented people and I鈥檓 constantly amazed at the level of commitment my colleagues bring to our work every day. As I finish my time at 91黑料网 and begin to carve my way into the field, this nomination is a vote of confidence from the Schulich community that I鈥檓 on the right path. To be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize would be icing on the cake!听

6. Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

I study with Dominique Labelle and will be performing with fellow Schulich School of Music student Brandon Tran.

2.听 Where do you call home?

I call Qu茅bec city home, because that is where I am from and that is where my family and friends live. I miss walking in the old part of the city and I love seeing the castle with the river and the mountains all around. I miss sometimes the friendly people and ambiance of the city and I love the fact that it only takes 10 minutes to drive from the city to be in the country. When I go back home and arrive at the bridge, and I see the river and all the beautiful things in Quebec, I really feel like I am at home!

3.听 What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I really love to cook. When I was 13 years old my father obligated me to go work, so I got a job washing dishes in a restaurant which gave me sense of responsibility. At sixteen years old I was promoted to become a cook and at twenty one I was a sous-chef. Now I use those skills as a hobby and I enjoy making dinners at my place for my friends and to see their satisfaction!

4.听 What went into choosing the repertoire for the finals of the 2017 Wirth Vocal Prize? Which piece(s) are you most excited to perform, and why?

I wanted to built my program around art songs, what are my first love for music and what in some way brought me to singing! I am really excited to perform Die beiden Grenadiere by Schumann. I really like the progression of the characters in the lied. I am also really excited to perform La croix douloureuse by Caplet. This is a beautiful and unknown piece that I hope the public will appreciate and discover at the same time!

5.听 What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

To win the Wirth Competition would be an amazing encouragement. It illustrates that all the hard work I have done has paid off and that I need to continue to work and grow. On the other hand, to not win the competition means that I have still come very far, and that I need to continue working and growing that much harder. I am a guy who when a door closes I open another. When I got refused for some things in the past, I just told myself 鈥榃ell, which project can I do now?鈥� I started back at square one and tried again, since I believe that these setbacks have taught me perseverance, and I believe that the hard times have made me stronger! I firmly believe that is all about a point of view!!

6.听 Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?

I am currently studying with Dominique Labelle and my pianist is Pierre-Andr茅 Doucet.

Where do you call home?

I am originally from Vancouver, but have lived in five different cities including Toronto and Montreal. At this point, I cannot say which city I consider home, as I鈥檝e loved living in each city for very different reasons. As a rather social person, I would say that home for me is where my friends and family are (clich茅, I know), which could be in almost any city I go to.

Other than on stage or in the practice room, where might one find you?

If we鈥檙e not including home, I would likely be out for coffee, beer, or dinner with some friends or my wonderful boyfriend.

What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I LOVE knitting, crochet, sewing, and fashion design in general. My family is extremely crafty, and it has definitely been passed along the generations. If I weren鈥檛 a singer, I could imagine myself designing clothes and sewing鈥� But hey! I don鈥檛 see why I couldn鈥檛 be a fashion designing opera singer!

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

It would be such an honour to be named the winner! It would be an incredible opportunity to help launch my career as I graduate from the 惭补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 in Opera and Voice program. Whatever the outcome, I am so thankful to have been a participant of the competition, and would have to attribute a huge portion of that to the wonderful program and faculty at the Schulich School of Music.

Where do you call home?

2) I call Qu茅bec city home, because that is where I am from and that is where my family and friends live. I miss walking in the old part of the city and I love seeing the castle with the river and the mountains all around. I miss sometimes the friendly people and ambiance of the city and I love the fact that it only takes 10 minutes to drive from the city to be in the country. When I go back home and arrive at the bridge, and I see the river and all the beautiful things in Quebec, I really feel like I am at home!

Other than on stage or in the practice room, where might one find you?

3) I can say that I have a kind of routine, which I think it is really important if we want to have a career. When I am not at school practicing I am mostly at home doing that routine. Every evening after dinner I go into my room, close the door and look at my score for two hours without singing. After I might play a video game, or read or watch a TV show to calm my mind because I cannot sleep if I go to bed right after looking at my scores. My mind is thinking too much then and too busy. I also like to go to the gym, about four times a week. I go to the 91黑料网 gym when I finish school early, before I go home and I also go to a gym close by my house.

What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

4) I really love to cook. When I was 13 years old my father obligated me to go work, so I got a job washing dishes in a restaurant which gave me sense of responsibility. At sixteen years old I was promoted to become a cook and at twenty one I was a sous-chef. Now I use those skills as a hobby and I enjoy making dinners at my place for my friends and to see their satisfaction!

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

5) To win the Wirth Competition would be an amazing encouragement. It illustrates that all the hard work I have done has paid off and that I need to continue to work and grow. On the other hand, to not win the competition means that I have still come very far, and that I need to continue working and growing that much harder. I am a guy who when a door closes I open another. When I got refused for some things in the past, I just told myself 鈥榃ell, which project can I do now?鈥� I started back at square one and tried again, since I believe that these setbacks have taught me perseverance, and I believe that the hard times have made me stronger! I firmly believe that is all about a point of view!!

Where do you call home?

Home for me is the place where I have my family and friends who always wait, support and love me and where I feel myself comfortable and can be myself without hiding my emotions, happiness or sadness.

Other than on stage or in the practice room, where might one find you?鈥�

On the metro going from home to school and the other way around. (Joking) You can find me in the gym, walking or biking in the parks, sometimes listening to jazz concerts and other types of music. I love walking through old parts of different cities, so old port in Montreal would be the place too.

What is one unexpected talent or pastime you have?鈥�

I studied and competed in Martial Arts for 6 years.

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?鈥�

Winning any competition is a result of collaboration and hard work between singer and his or her teachers and mentors, as well as support of the family. My teachers and mentors are very kind and patient with me and my family is extremely supportive about everything I am doing. To be named winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize would be thanking these people for all their hard work, patience and support.鈥�

Where do you call home?

I consider my heart to always be where my Dad is, and for now he is still living in my hometown of Abbotsford, British Columbia. That is where I grew up and learned to love music. I also lived in Vancouver for three years, and loved it there. That being said, Montreal is the first place where I feel like I鈥檝e built my own independent home. To me, Montreal is a perfect mixture of a big city with European charm. Being so close to both Toronto and New York via train is also a big pull since these three cities are where the majority of my auditions are happening these days. I鈥檝e also made so many wonderful friends and colleagues here that I can鈥檛 imagine leaving anytime soon. In fact, the way things are looking I may set roots here for the next little while.

Other than on stage or practicing, where might someone find you?鈥�

When the weather permits, I love to go running or spend time in the beautiful parks here in Montreal. I am also learning to love to cook, and really enjoy cooking with friends. When I鈥檓 back home visiting B.C, you can find me outside hiking, camping or fishing!

What is one unexpected talent or pastime you have?鈥�

I am the household foosball champion, and very proud of it. Any takers?

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?鈥�

First of all I am grateful to be a finalist, and to win would such a substantial and meaningful award would be an incredible honour.

Since I am graduating this year, I am stepping in to the big wide world without having the security of school. I feel like as singers, we juggle a lot of different financial burdens: coachings, lessons, headshots, travel cost, proper apparel, applications fees, audition fees, pianists. Not to mention the basic things such as rent, food, and transportation. I am not going to lie, it can all be very daunting and stressful. Winning this competition would mean that I could make more opportunity for myself, and ultimately worry less. I could take also take further steps to sing internationally by taking auditions in Europe.

My primary job after graduation is to keep seeking more contracts and opportunity. For me, the lifting of financial burden would mean that I could go to New York to take that audition, and not have the immediate worry or feel guilty that I may not make my visa payment this month. I could travel to Europe to do an audition tour, and have a few lessons with a teacher I know in D眉sseldorf. Winning this competition would free me up to actively create more opportunity for myself without the worry of taking two steps back finically. I would consider this scholarship an incredible investment in my future as a singer, and would use the money to further pursue a career in Opera.鈥�

Where do you call home?

Burnaby, British Columbia.

Other than practicing or on stage, where might someone find you?

You'd probably find me day dreaming of hiking or skiing in my native province of BC!! (Mt Royal is not a 'real' mountain!!).

What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

I won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2012.听

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

To be named the winner of the Wirth Voice Prize would mean a whole lot to me because I truly admire and look up to all my friends who I have the pleasure of singing and learning with here at the Schulich School of Music!

Where do you call home?

I hail from Carignan, a small town on Montreal鈥檚 South Shore, nestled between the bustle of the city and the quaintness of the country. It was a quiet community to grow up and its proximity to the city has allowed me to feel connected to my home and family throughout my post high school studies.

Other than on stage or practicing, where might someone find you?

I am a huge foodie so you could easily find me at a good restaurant or cafe. I have irresistible urge to always try new places, switch it up and perhaps be able to answer the eternal mystery: which Montreal cafe has the best espresso?

What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

During this past holiday season I discovered an interesting pastime, woodworking. I decided to make a coffee table for a loved one from scratch. My father helped me design and chose the materials, and I worked hours on end filling holes and crevices, finishing, sanding and staining this piece of furniture. I took great care in these finishing touches and found myself very satisfied and proud of the work had I done.

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

I have a deep respect for the opportunities and instruction that I received during my undergraduate and graduate studies at the Schulich School. I am proud of the work that I have accomplished with the help of my instructors and colleagues during my time at 91黑料网, and to be recognized in such a way would be an immense honour.

Where do you call home?

Calgary, Alberta.

Other than on stage or practicing, where might someone find you?

On a pair of skis or a听mountain bike in the听Rocky Mountains.

What is one unexpected talent or pastime that you have?

Don't let my height fool you,听I was the MVP of my high school Rugby Team.

What would it mean to you to be named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize?

People often find that transitioning听from school to the听professional world can be very听difficult. I think this is in part due to a lack of confidence when spreading ones wings, as well as financial听constraints. 听Winning the听Wirth听Vocal Prize would be a meaningful encouragement to minimize both of these difficulties upon graduating.听