Classical Voice Canada

Recently noted as one of CBC's Top 30 under 30 to watch out for, and with a stunning voice, Soprano Jonelle Sills tell us about her formative years in school...and we talk about how she moved naturally into the professional performance world as soon as she graduated.

Most notably, she has performed with Against the Grain, and was part of the Ensemble in their production of Kopernikus that won a DORA award.   Her belief, and outlook on life is genuinely refreshing and she is taking steps wherever possible to bring awareness to the arts world on how important inclusivity and diversity is - not just on stage, but behind the scenes too.   She is a Mentor with the newly formed OperaInReach and tells us a bit about that, as well!

She shares with us a recent performance which takes a few steps away from the conventional, blending a beloved hymn with an indigenous beat and song.  She is not afraid to venture away from the norm!   

Daniella has traveled far and wide and has only recently made Toronto her home.  Her studies in Amsterdam, Israel, and in the US have created a treasure of a voice, and her bubbly personality shines through in everything she does.   Her favourite reminder is that we should always "sing how we cry, and how we speak, and how we laugh", to find our authentic voice.   Her most recent endeavours include a CD of Art Song entitled "The Eternal Feminine" with pianist Suzanne Yeo, and together, the two have begun a Podcast of their own, where they discuss the female composers of art song, poetry, and art that have always taken second seat...but who truly deserve to have their place in the canon of musical history.   Daniella also shares with us plans for an ensemble effort of three singers, who, along with Suzanne, will bring us a daring, fun, and inspiring digital performance, coming up on September 5th.  Don't miss DIVAS FOR HIRE!   You can find their event information on Facebook!

Taras joins us from Toronto and takes us on an insightful journey about what it means to be prepared, and, how he manages the demands of being not only a member of the Canadian Opera Company Chorus and an IT Specialist, but also those of being a dedicated husband and father.  From a musical family, Taras tells us how his path led him from beginning studies as a composer, to finding his true calling as a vocalist.  Welcome, Taras!

Meagan hails from Winkler, Manitoba and grew up in the Mennonite Choral Tradition.  Have a listen to find out about how we are connected through our Mennonite roots, and, what Meagan has to say about her love for the text in the music, (and especially Recitative!) her experiences in Germany, and another genre of music that she loves to sing!  We'll hear a small clip from Ah, Fuggi il Traditor, Donna Elvira's Aria from Mozart's Don Giovanni, and because it's a pretty short clip, a full Aria:  Deh!  Tu Bell'Anima from Bellini's "I Capuleti e I Montechhi" (Romeo and Juliet), of course with a beautiful Recitative to start!