Province/Territory: Ontario
City: Markham
Role(s) in this year's festival:
Participating in the 10-Day Intensive Program
How are you preparing for NUOVA's program?
I am currently working on challenging and diverse repertoire with my applied voice professor, building up my skill set in order to be best prepared for an intensive program. I am gaining performance experience through Collegium performances at the Marjorie Young Bell Conservatory. Through my research work with Dr. Linda Pearse and my history courses, I am discovering lots of interesting new repertoire. I am most drawn to works by underrepresented composers, such as women, BIPOC, and trans composers. The historical context of my studies allows me to find intriguing repertoire as well as create deeper connections with the emotional aspects of the texts, and understand the performance practices and political, social, economic, and religious backgrounds surrounding them. I am also immersing myself in reading on healthy vocal techniques: SOVT, Alexander Technique, and other pedagogical devices to ensure that I am ready to sing at a high level in an intensive period. My scholarship and applied practical performance are the driving ways in which I am preparing for NUOVA.
What attracts you to NUOVA's programs? Why this year?
I am excited to have performance opportunities that I have missed due to the pandemic. I have heard about the NUOVA programs for a few years and I feel that I am now at the right place to take part in this program. I have an extensive performance and training background, however, I have not had much experience with opera yet, and NUOVA gives me that experience. I am ready for the challenge of an intensive program and work well in a fast-paced learning environment, which attracts me to the depth and speed of learning allowed by the NUOVA program. I am excited to perform at the NUOVA Opera and Music Theatre Festival and am exhilarated to get the chance to look at what the next steps might be for my educational and career goals by observing other artists. I also believe that NUOVA will give me the incredible opportunity to meet like-minded students and artists with whom I can make meaningful connections. I am eager to find new perspectives on music and performance and engage in conversation with both teachers and fellow students in order to open up my worldview and ideas on performance.
Artist Bio
Emma Yee is going into her third year of her Bachelor of Music in Voice and Bachelor of Arts in History programs at Mount Allison University. She currently studies with Dr. Vicki St. Pierre and has previously studied with Dr. Catherine Abele Landry and Carolynne Davy. Emma has an extensive theatrical background, performing in roles such as Sibella in "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" (Motyer-Fancy Theatre), Joan in "Fun Home" (Motyer-Fancy Theatre) and Ruth in "Pirates of Penzance" (Davy Studio). She is a 3-time ORMTA Regional winner and a NATS New England Regional Finalist. She performed with the Elliott Chorale, where she performed in the debut of Hope Salmonson's "Et tibi miserere", and with the Ontario Youth Choir in 2019. Emma has performed in masterclasses with Aury Murray, Wendy Nielsen, Kimberly Barber, and Dr. Betty Allison. She is also a continuing research assistant with Dr. Linda Pearse, in her project "Changing Colonial Narratives in Music History."
