We are thrilled to announce the rest of our spectacular cast for our November production of Ravel's The Child and the Spells.
Lauren Halász- The Cat/The Squirrel
Ottawa native Lauren Halász received her Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from Western University and is currently continuing her studies in Toronto under the guidance of mezzo-soprano Shannon Coates. Favourite opera credits include Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro (Long Reach Opera Workshop, 2019), Edith in The Pirates of Penzance (UWOpera, 2018), Third Lady and Third Spirit in Die Zauberflöte (Opera NUOVA, 2018; UWOpera, 2017), Suor Osmina and Prima Sorella Cercatrice in Suor Angelica (UWOpera; Halifax Summer Opera Festival, 2016), and The Female Scarecrow in R. Murray Schafer’s The Spirit Garden (Sounds of the Next Generation, 2016). Lauren has a passion for performing Canadian repertoire, and was recently featured in Tapestry Opera’s Songbook IX.
Conlan Gassi- The Cat/The Broken Clock
Tenor Conlan Gassi is quickly becoming recognized as a gifted performer on the concert and operatic stage. A graduate of the Masters of Music Program at Western University, Conlan made his operatic debut in 2010 in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. In May 2010, he worked with Orchestra London in Handel’s Giulio Cesare. The following month, Conlan made his international debut as the title character in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, in Sulmona, Italy. Conlan Spent many summers abroad, performing roles including Masetto in Don Giovanni, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Sid in Albert Herring, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Escamillo in Carmen, Marcello in La Bohème and the title role in Gianni Schicchi. Conlan has been an active performer in southern Ontario, performing the roles of Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Fritz in L’amico Fritz, all with Abridged Opera. He has also recently performed as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Opera by Request, Sam in Susannah with Peck Productions, John Harker in Dracula with Vera Causa Opera and as the Tenor Soloist in the Schoberg & Sondheim concert with the Karen Schuessler Singers. Music theatre engagements include Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden with London Community Players, and Larry in Company with Music Theatre on the Thames.
Alyssa Woolhether- The Owl/The Louis XV Bergère
Saskatchewan born soprano Alyssa Woolhether recently completed her Master of Music in Performance at Western University this spring under the tutelage of Torin Chiles. After obtaining her Bachelor of Music from the University of Regina in 2010, she continued to refine her skills as a performing artist while living and working in Toronto, ON. Alyssa is also an active songwriter and in 2015 released her debut album titled Home. The album consists of a collection of folk/pop songs which she wrote, performed, and co-produced. Now residing in London, ON, Alyssa continues to pursue a career as a performer and voice teacher. Previous credits include: Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw with Western Opera (2018); Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro with AADO (2018); Micaëla in Carmen with Toronto City Opera (2017); Anna Gomez in The Consul, and Mrs. Hays in Susannah with Long Reach Opera Workshop (2017/2016); Female Chorus (cover) in The Rape of Lucretia with MYOpera (2016).
Máiri Demings is a mezzo-soprano hailing from Springhill, Nova Scotia. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Acadia University and has recently completed her Masters of Music in Vocal Literature and Performance at the University of Western Ontario. While at Acadia, she was an active member of Acadia’s Singing Theatre Production Ensemble, as well as a soloist in the Acadia Performing Arts Series Tom Regan Memorial Concert, Acadia University Chorus, Parrsboro’s Classics by the Bay, and was the Nova Scotia voice representative for the 2016 National Music Festival in Edmonton. Roles include Mercédès in Carmen (Halifax Summer Opera Festival), Edith in The Pirates of Penzance (UWOpera), Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro (Accademia Europea Dell’Opera), and creating the role of Professor Van Helsing in Dylan Langan’s Dracula (Vera Causa Opera). Most recently she sang Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Halifax Summer Opera Festival and Maddelena in Rigoletto with La Musica Lirica. She currently resides in London, Ontario where she studies with tenor Torin Chiles and keeps up an active teaching and performing schedule.