The RBC Emerging Artist Award for 2025 has been awarded to Mi’kmaw of Ktaqmkuk soprano Emma Pennell.
Emma grew up in the small town of South River in Northern Ontario, and says she remembers the trees of the forest as their first audience. With a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Voice Performance and a minor in Indigenous Studies from Western University, Emma went on to study in the Artist Diploma Program at The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Pennell was the 2nd Prize winner at the 2024 Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio Centre Stage Competition.
Along with their work as a vocalist and poet, Pennell is an Indigenous activist who looks to create spaces for Indigenous voices in music. They co-authored the Indigenous Policy Paper for the Ontario Universities Student Alliance, and founded the Faculty of Music Indigenous Leadership Initiative at the Don Wright Faculty of Music.
“Not many people who come from places that I come from have these opportunities and so I owe it to all the Indigenous people that I’ve met along the way,” said Pennell, who identifies as two-spirited, in a statement.
“Our voices, our art, our performances and our bodies belong on these stages just like everybody else. I actually have no idea how the National Arts Centre found me, but they did! It’s just amazing.”
Emma Pennell at the 2024 Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio Centre Stage Competition:
The RBC Emerging Artist Award comes along with a $25,000 CAD cash prize, and will be presented during the weekend celebrations for the 2025 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.
The jury was made up of a committee of artistic leaders a the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The award recognizes not only artistic merit, but impact on the community. Emma was nominated by Daphne Burt, Senior Manager of Artistic Planning for the NAC Orchestra.
“This is a star on the rise. Despite their relatively young age, they have already demonstrated an ability to sing a wide variety of repertoire. A singer’s instrument takes decades to mature so for them to already have this range suggests a very exciting trajectory,” explained Daphne Burt.
Financial support is crucial to emerging artists. Auditions often involve travel and other expenses, including the formal clothes worn on stage. It’s a big financial burden.
“It’s a life-changing amount of funding. With opera, specifically, if you don’t have the money, it’s almost like you can’t do it because it’s just so expensive to audition,” says Emma Pennell.
It’s the third year that the RBC’s Emerging Artist Award has been offered to worthy candidates.
“At RBC, we know the creative community makes meaningful and important contributions to our communities and our economy — it’s why we are proud to support this award year after year. Congratulations to operatic soprano Emma Pennell, the recipient of the 2025 RBC Emerging Artist Award,” shared Andrea Barrack, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Impact, RBC.
“Emma is a trailblazer whose work as an Indigenous activist, champions Indigenous musicians, and inspires us all. Thank you for your contributions to the arts and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition — we look forward to seeing how you will continue to use your remarkable gifts.”
Pennell will receive the award at a special event on June 14 during the weekend of celebrations for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.
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