For decades, most young Canadian singers had little choice but to set off to Europe after their studies and look for a position in an opera house, more often than not in Germany, in order to gain some experience singing major roles. Soprano Jonelle Sills, however, is a prime example of how things are slowly changing in this country. Based in Toronto, a graduate of York University and the Glenn Gould School, most of her engagements are taking place within Canada. Her portrayal of Helena in Vancouver Opera’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream last season was critically acclaimed, prompting the Vancouver Sun to write that “none was more present and impressive than soprano Jonelle Sills as Helena.” On October 8, she made her surprise debut as Mimi, a role she was understudying, at the Canadian Opera Company. This as well as a number of further engagements singing important roles with Canadian companies in the near future are allowing Ms. Sills to carve her own path in this industry, one step at a time.
