Following a cross-country audition tour, seven of the country’s brightest new opera voices are about to step into the spotlight as finalists in the Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition, happening October 23, 2025 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The evening is the COC’s largest fundraiser of the year, with all proceeds supporting the company’s world-renowned Ensemble Studio; since 2013, Centre Stage has raised over $4.5 million for the innovative career development program for emerging opera artists.

“This is a pivotal moment and milestone for any emerging singer,” says Dorian Cox, Director of the Ensemble Studio. “To be named a finalist is not only a recognition of exceptional talent, but also the start of a journey that can propel these artists onto national and international stages. We’re thrilled to welcome this year’s finalists and celebrate the extraordinary possibilities ahead of them.”

117 candidates applied to join the Ensemble Studio next season, with COC judges traveling all over Canada in a nation-wide audition tour presented by Pamela & Paul Austin and The P. Austin Family Foundation. After hearing nearly 60 young singers in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto, the judges selected seven finalists for this year’s competition; they are:

Jacob Abrahamse, tenor

Jackson Allen, tenor

Sarah Anderson-Caulfield, soprano

Onur Hilaloglu, bass

Nikan Ingabire Kanate, soprano

Camila Montefusco, mezzo-soprano

Søren Pedersen, baritone

Left to right, top to bottom: tenor Jacob Abrahamse, tenor Jackson Allen, soprano Sarah Anderson-Caulfield, bass Onur Hilaloglu, soprano Nikan Ingabire Kanate, mezzo-soprano Camila Montefusco, baritone Søren Pedersen.

On October 23, competition finalists will perform one last time, accompanied by the acclaimed COC Orchestra led by COC Music Director Johannes Debus for a shot at cash prizes and the chance to be invited to join the COC’s career-launching Ensemble Studio. Audience members will also have the chance to live-vote for the Audience Choice Prize, generously sponsored by Hatch.

Newly announced, Marci Ien will host the evening’s exciting vocal competition. The former Member of Parliament, broadcast journalist, and co-host on CTV’s The Social says she’s looking forward to celebrating Canada’s rich pool of operatic talent. “The arts have the power to transform, to heal, and to connect us in ways that nothing else can,” says Ien. “They remind us of our shared humanity and inspire us to dream bigger than we ever thought possible.”

This year, the company is also thrilled to toast to an inspiring Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio success story: internationally renowned dramatic tenor Ben Heppner! A member of the Ensemble Studio in 1982-1984, Ben returns as our special guest at Centre Stage to mark another remarkable milestone—his 70th birthday.

Once again, the Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition will be livestreamed for viewing across the country and beyond. In addition, at-home audiences will be eligible to cast their vote for Audience Choice Prize, sponsored by Hatch.

Register to watch at pages.wordfly.com.