2024-2025 Wirth Vocal Prize Semi-Finalists

What music never fails to transport you?

‘Ici bas’ by César Cui

What made you choose to study at Schulich and in Montreal?

I really enjoy the artistic vibe in Montreal, and I'm inspired by the dedication of Schulich students as they pursue their musical dreams.

What’s next for you?

After finishing my master's, I plan to audition for various programs and competitions, and try to look for performance opportunities.

What are some of the ways you build positive routines in your music-making?

Read the lyrics aloud, translate them into my hometown language, and try to immerse myself in the story.

What is an essential part of making music for you?

Storytelling through text / poetry, it’s the main reason why I chose to be a singer and not an instrumentalist!

What’s something someone might be surprised to find on your playlist?

My workout playlist is basically just fast baroque pieces… Everyone makes fun of me for it! 😂

A memorable performance experience I had was...

Singing R. Murray Schafer’s « 7th String Quartet with obligato soprano » at Bourgie Hall with the Molinari String Quartet in October 2024. It was truly magical to perform in such a beautiful hall with musicians I admire so much - including my dear mom, who is the first violin and founder of the quartet! I had such a blast performing this funny, intense and touching character!

What’s next for you?

I am thrilled to say I will be a young artist at the Atelier lyrique of the Opéra de Montréal for the 2025-2026 season!

What’s something someone might be surprised to find on your playlist?

The entire discography of Brockhampton.

What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
I recently discovered the brilliance of Dialogues des Carmélites by Francis Poulenc when I had the privilege of being cast as Chevalier de la Force in Opera ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's production this season. The music in the opera is some of the finest music written in the 20th century.

What made you choose to study at Schulich and in Montreal?

I chose to study at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ after a trial lesson with my teacher, John Mac Master, whose wisdom and kindness were evident from our very first meeting.

What are some of your best practices for healthy music-making?

I believe that embracing mistakes and taking risks is the most effective way to make music. There's no shame in cracking on a high note, forgetting words in a performance, or simply having an off day in the practice room. What truly matters is moving forward, learning from each experience, and continuing to grow as an artist.

What music never fails to transport you?

Any of the vocal music of Benjamin Britten. His collaborations with Auden and Myfanwy Piper, who wrote many of his operatic libretti, create such special stories. And there is possibly no English text-music combination finer, in my opinion, than his setting of Hardy’s poems in Winter Words.

What’s something someone might be surprised to find on your playlist?

I listen to a lot of contemporary folk artists like Laura Marling and This is the Kit, who I saw live in Montreal almost exactly a year ago! (29 February!!) I love the suppleness and brilliance available to voices in this style, not unlike early Joni Mitchell, whom I also love. The album Song to a Seagull is a masterpiece.

A memorable performance experience I had was...

I had the opportunity to sing as a chorister in the Grands Ballets Canadiens’ Carmina Burana in April 2024. Being on stage, able to watch the dancers up close night after night was truly a privilege. This kind of work can be the most fun to do, and I’ve always loved the community inherent in choral singing. Adding the dancers of the ballet to that mix was new and exciting to me. Plus, Carmina is such a rewarding sing!

What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?

I’m currently preparing the title role in Handel’s Imeneo. Originally written for a bass-baritone voice, the Dublin premiere featured a new version where some solo recitatives and arias were transposed for tenor, leaving certain group scenes still in the original key. As a solution to this, and to give myself more expressive range in the recitative, I have been respelling the melody within the existing harmony to fit better in my voice. It’s like a hyper-extended form of ornamentation, and I LOVE how creative it feels.

What music never fails to transport you?

I am working on La Chanson D’Eve by Gabriel Fauré in Song Interpretation class this semester, and I am always in awe of it!

What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?

I am always in pursuit of more freedom in my singing, and I feel like I unlock parts of my voice through relaxation every day.

What made you choose to study at Schulich and in Montreal?

I came to Schulich for Opera ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, and am so glad that I did!

What’s next for you?

I am excited to go back to Toronto this summer to work with Opera5 on their inaugural Toronto Opera Festival! Yay Opera5!!!

What is an essential part of making music for you?

For me, an essential part of making music is being able to evoke emotions in the audience. As singers, we have the responsibility to deliver a message, and not only that, but to convey it with the emotion that the message carries. When the audience can recognize and feel it, I believe one of the most important goals of music has been achieved.

What are some of your best practices for healthy music-making?

I think that lately, one of my healthiest practices for making music has been maintaining a positive mindset and practicing self-compassion. Sometimes our practice or rehearsals don’t go as we would like, but it’s important to highlight the good things and not just focus on the negative. As for self-compassion, I now try not to criticize myself so much and instead treat my voice with kindness. It’s a living instrument, and we must take care of it with kind words and understanding! :)

What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?

Recently, I’ve been learning a lot thanks to the Wellbeing in the Musician seminar. For now, I’m very interested in learning more about mental practice and effective practice techniques!

What made you choose to study at Schulich and in Montreal?

I researched many universities for my master’s, and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ was my first choice. I liked the opera program and the quality of the professors. Plus, Montreal is an interesting city to explore!

A memorable performance experience I had was...

I stopped overthinking, sang my heart out, and somehow, it all just worked. What a relief!

What are some of your best practices for healthy music-making?
A loooot of good sleep, hydration, and eating a loooot!!!!

What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
Ottorino Respighi

What made you choose to study at Schulich and in Montreal?

For the outstanding voice faculty, and fantastic coaches!!!!!

What music never fails to transport you?

The ambient electronica of Jon Hopkins, especially his songs Immunity and Light Through The Veins. Electronica like that has a strange way of reflecting my emotions and experiences back to me from several different facets, and this music always takes me to a more still and honest place where.

What are some of your best practices for healthy music-making?
For me, sleep comes before all else. Sleep effects every facet of being alive, from cognitive function and physical function, to emotional regulation and general well-being. When I am prioritising healthy sleep hygiene, my ability to make music - learning notes, learning texts, expressing emotions, singing healthily, reinforcing technique and ability - is hugely elevated. I also love to swim!

A memorable performance experience I had was..

...performing a recital of operatic arias for my hometown in June of 2023, just before I moved to Canada. The hall was filled with people I grew up learning about music and other performing arts from, and with familiar faces from all stages of my childhood and early adulthood. It was a recital to show them that I wish to take everything that they have given me as far as I possibly can.

What made you choose to study at Schulich and in Montreal?

When choosing a masters program, I had three pieces of criteria: one - performance opportunities; two - singing teacher; three - how cool is the city? I chose Schulich because there is an abundance of performance opportunities, because I wished to study with Brett Polegato which was insisted upon by several of my advisors down under, and because Montréal is a fabulous and fun city.