The Ottawa Choral Society Presents New Discoveries:A World Class Platform for Emerging Vocal ArtistsThe Ottawa Choral Society’s New Discoveries Auditions are held in alternating years to provide emerging vocal artists with a professional platform, broad audience exposure, and career development opportunities. The Choral Society is proud to have encouraged many of Canada’s most accomplished concert artists to find success with audiences across the country through this initiative. Many of our past laureates are now appearing on opera and concert stages across North America and Europe. During the 2017-18 season, the Society welcomed back seven previous New Discoveries laureates and is thrilled that five of the six soloists for the choir‘s St. John Passion in March, 2019 will be returning Laureates. |
Results of the 2018 New Discoveries Auditions
The Ottawa Choral Society's New Discoveries Auditions for Young Artists were held the week of May 21st, 2018 in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal and attracted a roster of over 90 gifted young concert artists who performed before a distinguished panel of judges for cash prizes, professional engagements, and a Showcase Recital. Winners
German-Canadian soprano Anna-Sophie Neher holds a Masters degree from McGill University where she was a student of Dominique Labelle. In 2017, she was First Prize winner in the Montreal Symphony Competition and the 2017 Winner of McGill University‘s important Wirth Vocal Prize, and the three-time recipient of the Jacqueline Desmarais Scholarship (2015-2016-2018). In August, Anna-Sophie will join the Ensemble Studio of the Canadian Opera Company.
Distinguished Mentions
From Vancouver, BC, 23-year-old countertenor Nicholas Burns performs throughout North America and is known for his “thrilling voice” (Opera Canada). The recipient of many awards, his recent engagements include Monteverdi’s Vespers with the American Bach Soloists, Bach’s B Minor Mass, St. John and St. Matthew Passion with Ensemble Caprice, and Messiah with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. In the upcoming 2018-19 season, Nicholas will debut with Early Music Vancouver in les Idées heureuses. Aside from singing, Nicholas is also a former world champion bagpipe player.
A native of Toronto, 29-year-old Danielle is a graduate of York University and an alumna of the Glenn Gould School, the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, and Palm Beach Opera’s Benenson Young Artist Program where she recently returned to sing Cherubino in their 2018 season of Le nozze di Figaro. She has been a recipient of the IRCPA Maureen Forrester Scholarship, a winner of the St. Andrew‘s Arts Council Aria Competition and Regional Finalist Winner in the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Praised for her “bright, pure, well focused high lyric soprano” (Musical Toronto). 27-year-old Megan, holder of a Masters degree from McGill University, was recently First prize winner in the Toronto Mozart Vocal Competition. Credits include the title character in Dawn Sonntag’s new opera Evangeline, Despina (Così fan tutte), and appearances with Tapestry Opera and the Toronto Mozart Players among others. Upcoming performances include Berta (Il Barbiere diSiviglia, Opera5), and Papagena (The Magic Flute, BrottOpera). She joins Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Development Program for the 2018/2019 season.
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We welcome donations to support the fund.
You will receive a tax receipt for your donation. The Society's Charitable Foundation Number is 89866 0264 RR001
Please contact Maggie McCoy, New Discoveries Registrar, for additional details.