Edmonton Opera’s 2026/27 Emerging Artist Program will feature soprano Teresa Tucci and tenor Spencer VanDellen.
Throughout the season, they will take part in performances, residencies, and outreach work across Edmonton and the Yukon, including the Dawson City Summer Residency, Edmonton Opera Residency, and Yukon Arts Centre Outreach Tours.
Soprano Teresa Tucci is recognized for her vibrant stage presence, vocal agility, and versatility across the operatic repertoire. A Fellow of The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School, she has recently performed with Manitoba Opera, Toronto City Opera, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Praised by Opera Canada for his “glorious, lyric sound” and “accomplished vocal technique,” tenor Spencer VanDellen has performed leading roles across North America in opera, operetta, concert, and recital repertoire.
We look forward to sharing their work with audiences throughout the season ahead.
This season marked a new chapter for Edmonton Opera’s Emerging Artist Program.
The 2025/26 season brought together artists for hands-on experience in rehearsal rooms, on stage, and in communities across Canada. Through collaborations with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Yukon Arts Centre, and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Emerging Artists took part in productions, residencies, and outreach work that reflected the realities of a professional career in opera today.
From Tosca to Siegfried, these artists stepped into understudy roles, worked alongside internationally recognized performers and creative teams, and continued developing their craft in real time.
Over the course of the season, they travelled to Ottawa and the Yukon, performed for new audiences, and took part in one of Edmonton Opera’s most ambitious years yet.
We are proud of everything this year’s Emerging Artists have accomplished and look forward to following where their work takes them next.
Leila Kirves covered the title role in Tosca at the NAC and sang the role in Whitehorse and in Saskatoon. She is also covering “Brünnhilde” in Siegfried.
Zachary Rioux covered “Cavaradossi” in Tosca at the NAC and sing the role in Whitehorse and in Saskatoon.
Elias Theocharidis sang “Spoletta” in Tosca in Whitehorse and Saskatoon. He is also covering “Mime” in Siegfried.
Jeremy Scinocca will sing “Spoletta” in Tosca at the NAC.
Jeremy Scinocca sang “Spoletta” in Tosca at the NAC.
Danlie Rae Acebuque sang “Angelotti/Jailer” in Tosca at the NAC, in Whitehorse, and in Saskatoon.
George Theodorakopoulos sang “Sacristan” in Tosca at the NAC, in Whitehorse, and in Saskatoon.
Layne Spencer sang “Sciarrone” in Tosca at the NAC, in Whitehorse, and in Saskatoon.
Rebecca Klassen served as the Assistant Repetiteur for the Tosca Tour.
Vivien Illion served as the Assistant Director for the Tosca Tour.
Claire Thorton served as the Assistant Stage Manager for the Tosca Tour.
