Emerging Artist Jeremy Scinocca was still buzzing from a night of heavy riffs when he got the news: pack your bags, you’re needed in Tosca.
Photo by Curtis Perry
The Call That Changed Everything
When Jeremy got the call, it wasn’t a sure thing — just the kind of “this might happen” opportunity every singer secretly hopes for but doesn’t fully expect. So he carried on with life as usual. That Wednesday night, “life as usual” meant being at a System of a Down concert with his brother, surrounded by pounding guitars, political anthems, and the joyful chaos of a metal crowd.
In between songs, Jeremy’s phone buzzed. Texts flew back and forth. “I finally asked if I could give my official yes in the morning, just to let everything sink in,” Jeremy remembers. “The whole night was a bit overwhelming, but I still really enjoyed the concert. Having my brother there made the experience even more meaningful — he was a steady support in the middle of all that noise and excitement.”
By the next morning, the confirmation had landed: he would get on a plane to Ottawa, learn and perform the role of Spoletta in Puccini’s Tosca with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Edmonton Opera.
Crash Course in Courage
Jeremy spent his first hours making a flurry of calls to jobs, gigs, and family commitments he suddenly had to cancel. Once everything was cleared, he dove headfirst into the score.
“My approach was to zero in on the tricky corners — the spots that could slow down a rehearsal. If I could get through that first rehearsal without holding anyone back, I knew I’d have time to polish and refine on day two.”
With four hours of study, a whirlwind half-hour of packing (with big thanks to his partner), and a flight across the country, Jeremy landed in Ottawa with only determination and adrenaline to carry him through.
“I kept trying to shift the question in my head from ‘can I learn this role in time?’ to ‘there is no other option but to learn and perform it.’ That mindset helped me stay focused and kept doubt from taking over.”
Stepping into the Fire
Photo by Curtis Perry
The next day, Jeremy stepped into one of the most high-pressure rehearsal rooms imaginable: the National Arts Centre Orchestra under Alexander Shelley, alongside soloists Ailyn Pérez, Nathan Berg, Matthew Cairns, and director Joel Ivany.
“It would have been easy for them to be frustrated as I stumbled through with my score, just trying to minimize mistakes. But instead, every single one of them came to me with encouragement, support, and genuine commendation for the work I had done in such a short time. That generosity of spirit gave me so much confidence moving forward.”
He credits a private coaching session with NAC music staff member Christopher Gaudreault as a grounding moment — a familiar presence from his McGill days who helped him focus before stepping into the fire.
Where Metal Meets Opera
The timing of it all — jumping from a System of a Down concert into Puccini’s world — wasn’t lost on Jeremy.
“SOAD is incredibly political, and Tosca is, at its core, a deeply political opera. Both worlds channel that intensity — rallying around ideas, causes, and raw emotion. Honestly, based on his politics, I think Cavaradossi might have been a System of a Down fan.”
The Final Bow
Photo by Curtis Perry
Days later, Jeremy stood on stage at the National Arts Centre, taking a bow in front of a sold-out audience. “That moment — the sigh of relief, the surge of pride — standing in front of a sold-out crowd in that gorgeous theatre, alongside world-renowned artists, was probably the most emotionally powerful part of the whole experience.”
Looking back, Jeremy calls it one of the most rewarding and fulfilling moments of his career so far. His advice to young singers who might one day get a last-minute call?
“Trust your training, trust your technique, and remember that everyone around you wants you to succeed and will help you get there.”
Jeremy’s leap from metal concert to Puccini spotlight shows not only the unpredictability of live performance but also the resilience and heart of the Emerging Artists Program — where courage and preparation meet opportunity in the most unexpected ways.