Canadian Children's Opera Company
227 Front St E M5A 1E8 Toronto, ON, Canada

Our thanks to Opera Canada for including a review of the CCOC's recording of The Monkiest King in their Spring 2021 issue! "The tale, and its often-raucous score, move easily through Monkey's adventures, here beautifully sung by Madelaine Ringo-Stauble. Monkiest King's different states, ranging widely from sleep to hijinx, are brought to life superbly by CCOC Principal and Youth Chorus director Teri Dunn who also conducts the 10-piece mixed instrumental ensemble." Written by ...the award-winning team of Alice Ping Yee Ho (composer) and Marjorie Chan (librettist), The Monkiest King was premiered by the CCOC in 2018, as part of our 50th anniversary season. The original cast recording was released in 2020.

Game on! Take a break for family play time and support the CCOC while doing it! Purchase plastic or electronic gift cards from FundScrip and a percentage of your purchase will benefit the CCOC! With dozens of retailers to choose from you'll be sure to find what you're looking for - from sporting equipment to board games to puzzles and more - to nourish your children's appetite for play and even bring out the inner child in yourself.... Choose from retailers like Toys"R"Us Canada, Indigo, Chapters and Coles, Canadian Tire, Scholar's Choice, Sport Chek and more! For more information, check out: https://www.canadianchildrensopera.com//fundraising-initia #playtime #letsplay #gameon #familyplaytime #getoutandplay #fundscrip #choir #opera #childrenschoir

We support diversity of all kinds and proudly recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility. If you're looking for support or resources for kids, links are below: https://translifeline.org/resources/... https://mutuallyinclusivebooks.com//6-picture-books-to-c/

MONDAY MEMORIES: MY TIME IN THE CCOC BY LYNN ISNAR Member of the CCOC from 2002-2011... CCOC Memories I was a member of the CCOC for nine years between the years 2002-2011. I still remember going in for my audition vividly. Ann Cooper Gay was very warm and welcoming. I loved working with her and Errol. They inspired so many of us choristers to love singing and to appreciate music. They also taught us important life lessons which I still use today. The CCOC introduced me to opera and it’s the main reason why I decided to pursue music in university. There were countless memories made during rehearsals, annual camping trips and performances. My favourite experiences include the shows we performed at the Harbourfront Centre. Most notably, A Dickens of a Christmas - music which was composed by Errol Gay and libretto written by Michael Albano. During these opera productions, we had the chance to be a part of the excitement that goes into putting on an opera. It was truly a joy to be involved in this process at such a young age and be surrounded by wonderful musicians and lifelong friends. Every time I go skating at the Harbourfront Centre I think of the CCOC. I’ve attached some old pictures that were taken at that exact skating rink during a run of A Dickens of a Christmas back in December 2008. Where are they now? I’m currently based in the GTA. I work as a freelance musician and music educator. I perform, record as a session artist and run a teaching studio. Website: lynnisnar.com Facebook: Lynn Isnar Instagram: @lynnisnar Twitter: @lynnisnar

Each time you buy groceries, put gas in your car, make improvements to your home, garden, give gifts, or shop for things which you are already going to buy, much needed funds are generated to benefit the CCOC. All you have to do is pay for your purchases using gift cards bought from @fundscrip , and a percentage of every gift card purchased is contributed to our fundraising efforts... up to 10% back! From now until March 31, when you buy gift cards from Stokes, The Childre...n's Place, Ultimate Dining Card, and Thinkkitchen, a higher percentage than usual will benefit the CCOC. Take advantage of this before it's too late! #choir #opera #childrenschoir #giftcards #onlineshopping #shopping #getwhatyouneed #contactlessfundraising

Earlier this month we had a special visit from Matthew Cairns (Tenor) and Alex Soloway (Pianist and Intern Coach) from the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio. Matt and Alex joined one of our online rehearsals to talk to our choristers about their practice and how they express music. Alex also demonstrated how piano scores of operas require the use of different colours to bring various orchestral instruments to life. The highlight of the session was hearing Matt sing an... aria with piano accompaniment pre-recorded by Alex. Our choristers couldn't stop raving about these two wonderful musicians! A huge thanks to Matt and Alex for taking the time to join us and sharing their knowledge in a really engaging way! #choir #opera #childrenschoir #practice #singer #operasinger #operasingerlife #piano #pianist #collaborativepiano #music #collaboration #COCEnsemble

Being part of the CCOC is a really unique and exciting experience for our choristers and their families. Here's a look at the magic that happens!

For any of our choristers who want to improve their music tech skills!

And last, but not least, please welcome our new Interim Executive Director, Maureen Callaghan! Maureen Callaghan has worked in arts and learning environments for over 25 years, most recently as the Manager of School Programs at the Canadian Opera Company. As a stage manager she focused on Theatre for Young Audiences and training for young artist programs and as a teacher she worked with the Halton District School Board and Canada's National Ballet School. "This year has test...ed us all to access our creativity, resilience and determination. And after all, isn't that what arts education is all about? I'm excited to see what our choristers learn and discover in this unprecedented season". Welcome to the team, Maureen!

Thanksgiving greetings from the CCOC

More new CCOC-ers! Please welcome Angela Sweeting, who takes over as our new Programs Administrator. Angela is a photographer, poet, and banjo player who has spent over a decade working in operations, coordination, programming, administration and stage management. She has covered a wide variety of roles with Luminato, Regent Park Film Festival, TIFF, Pride Toronto, The Fringe Festival, Tafelmusik, National Aboriginal Day Live, and Harbourfront Centre (to name a few). In her... off hours she is active within social justice movements - her heart firmly in the communities around houselessness, harm reduction, climate justice, Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Sovereignty. In her work, her art and her activism, Angela is focused on community, care and showing up for each other. Welcome, Angela!

The CCOC welcomes Asher Farber as our new pianist for the Ruby and Intermediate Choruses! Asher Farber completed his Masters of Collaborative Piano Performance from the University of Toronto (2014) and his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from uOttawa (2011). Ever since his musical debut at age four, Asher spent his early years in Ottawa, Canada, working through all ten grades of RCM, performing and competing in local concerts and festivals, often placing at the top of... his class. Now situated and proudly serving the Toronto community, Asher remains true to the 'collaborative' title and nature of his education. Currently, Asher conducts and accompanies for several community based choirs In the GTA. He also frequently accompanies and collaborates with many singers and instrumentalists for performances, lessons, auditions, festivals, recordings, and competitions. He has been a repetiteur and vocal coach for a variety of operas, shows, and music festivals. Welcome, Asher!

Welcome to one of our newest team members! Sophia Mackey, our new Butterfly Chorus Rehearsal assistant is a CCOC alumni with a passion for working with children in the performing arts. She recently completed her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance Degree with Honours from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music , and is so excited to be joining the CCOC team. She has spent numerous summers choreographing and music directing children’s camp productions with TripleThreatTheatre, and has had the opportunity to perform in several of their shows. Sophia has very recently started her own company House to Home Theatrics, providing virtual artistic entertainment for children, and looks forward to what this year will bring!

Our next audition date is this Saturday, October 3. It's not too late to sign up for an audition. To find out more information on auditions, visit: https://www.canadianchildrensopera.com/... #audition #singing #choir #opera #musictheatre #drama #lessonsforchildren #singinglessonsforkids #singinglessonsforteens

We will be auditioning potential choristers throughout the fall and our next audition date is October 3. To find out more information on auditions, visit: https://www.canadianchildrensopera.com/

We're looking for new voices to join us for the 2020/21 season. Our programs develop musicianship skills, encourage a love of singing (safely!), and build self-confidence. To find out more information on auditions, visit:... https://www.canadianchildrensopera.com/ #opera #singing #musiclessons #singingforkids #drama #musictheatre #auditions #choir

Welcome back CCOC choristers and families! Our Principal Chorus kicked off their season in early September with a mini camp in High Park and our Youth, Intermediate, Apprentice, Ruby, and Butterfly choirs will begin rehearsals next week! We are so excited to see and hear you all very soon!

Happy Friday! :)

Produced by YMC and MusiCounts, this may be of interest to some of our CCOC parents!

Our next audition date is this Saturday. Complete the application form and book your audition today. Tap the link in our bio for more information. #singing #choir #childrenschoir #singinglessons #singinglessonsforkids #singinglessonsforteens #opera #music #musiclessons #musictheatre #drama #performance

A choreographed dance to Scene 2, "Cloud Chorus" from children's opera "The Monkiest King" by composer Alice Ho and librettist Marjorie Chan with the Canadian Children's Opera Company. Emily Cheung, choreographer; Jean-Luc Bedryk, dancer.