Ariana Maubach, Angelo Moretti, Nicholas Murphy, Emma Pennell, and Ben Wallace — the Canadian Opera Company has announced the names of the five new members of the Ensemble Studio for 2025/26. They’ll be joining returning members soprano Emily Rocha and bass Duncan Stenhouse.
Soprano Emma Pennell, mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach, tenor Angelo Moretti, baritone Ben Wallace, and bass-baritone Nicholas Murphy were selected for the program after a national audition tour. Maubach (First Prize and Audience Choice Award), Pennell (Second Prize), and Murphy all placed as finalists at the COC’s 11th annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition.
“We are thrilled to welcome these five incredibly talented singers into our longstanding professional development program for emerging opera artists,” says Dorian Cox, Director of the Ensemble Studio in a statement.
“This new cohort will bring a fresh energy to the program with each singer bringing their unique voice and passion for opera. I look forward to seeing how they grow over the course of this new journey and contribute to the future of this art form!”
The Ensemble Studio is an invaluable career building program that includes practical and professional experience, along with coaching, mentoring and other professional development activities geared to the participants. Members of the Ensemble Studio connect with visiting artists, and work with the COC’s leadership throughout the process.
It’s the 45th anniversary of the COC’s innovative program, which includes pianists as well as singers. The program’s current pianist/coaches, Brian Cho and Mattia Senesi, will be completing their term with the Ensemble Studio. Auditions for the pianist/coach positions are being held currently, with the successful applicants to be announced later this year.
Currently a second year Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia, PA, soprano Ariana Maubach is a graduate of the Music Academy of the West, College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati, The Glenn Gould School, and Eastman School of Music.
Acadian bass-baritone Nicholas Murphy is currently in residence with Calgary Opera’s McPhee Artist Development Program. He’s performed with Brott Opera, Opera McGill, and Highlands Opera Studio. Along with the Ensemble Studio Competition, he’s placed as a finalist in the Wirth Vocal Prize and Atelier lyrique’s Talent Gala.
Tenor Angelo Moretti had his professional debut in 2022 in Verdi’s Il Trovatore at Opéra de Montréal, where he’s performed several roles since then. He recently performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Orchestre Classique de Montreal.
Soprano Emma Pennell is a Two-Spirit opera singer with Mi’kmaw roots from South River in Northern Ontario. They studied voice performance and Indigenous Studies at Western University, Cambrian College, and The Glenn Gould School. Notable performances include debuts at Koerner Hall and the Banff Centre.
Baritone Ben Wallace currently studies at the University of Toronto. He earned a Bachelor of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he also won the Laurier Concerto Competition. He’s performed with Highlands Opera Studio, UofT Opera, Opera Laurier and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.
Four of the current singers will be completing their term with the Ensemble Studio at the end of this season. Soprano Karoline Podolak will be taking the stage at the Four Seasons Centre soon as Kate Pinkerton in the COC’s production of Madama Butterfly. Mezzo-soprano Queen Hezumuryango will be singing the role of Ebba Sparre in the COC’s upcoming La Reine-garçon, and Lola in Cavalleria rusticana. Tenor Wesley Harrison performed in COC productions of Fidelio, La Bohème, and Nabucco during his time with the program. Baritone Korin Thomas-Smith performed in COC productions of La Bohème and Faust, and will be one of the apprentices in the cast of Wozzeck this spring.
Opera lovers will be able to experience performances of all six of the graduating Ensemble Studio members at two farewell concerts. Part of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, they’ll take place on May 20 and 29, 2025.
For next gen opera singers: the next COC Ensemble Studio Competition is scheduled for October 23, 2025, and national auditions will be announced this spring.
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