Emily Richter (Winner)
Where do you call home?
I'm originally from Arlington,VA, but I come from a Foreign Service family, so I grew up moving all over the world from Armenia to London. My family most recently lived in Tokyo.
What would being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize enable you to do?
Winning the Wirth Prize would be monumental in being able to start a career in music. I'd hope to use that savings to be able to really focus on trying to make it in music my first few years after graduation.
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Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I study with the lovely Dominique Labelle. I'm collaborating with Rebecca Klassen-Wiebe who was my Song Interpretation Class partner this year!
Do you have a favourite part of your program?
I really love my program and the way it flows together. I really enjoy how the Strauss and Duparc both contrast and complement one another.
What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
A big thing for me this year has been learning how to let the music lead me. This year in Song Interpretation I've been focusing on Duparc. I think it's really taught me how to trust the music I'm singing and expand into phrases instead of trying to always "make music happen.” I'm learning to receive more from the music I make. It's so tempting to try to "make moments" but sometimes the most beautiful musical moment is when you trust the music to tell you how to phrase.
This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
This year singing has been a saving grace. To have a space where I can challenge myself and think creatively has been huge for my mental health. I think learning how to focus on music even when I'm not performing for others as much has really taught me how to thrive on the introspective part of the process.
When you’re not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
Especially in Montreal, I love long walks and exploring new parts of the city. I also love cooking and listening to music. Hopefully, I'll be cooking for my friends soon!
Biography
Emily Richter is a first-year Masters student at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University studying with Dominique Labelle. Originally from Arlington, VA, Emily grew up mostly abroad most recently living in London and Tokyo, she now permanently resides in Arlington, VA. She recently graduated with her BM in Vocal Performance from Lawrence University where she sang the role of Countess in La Nozze di Figaro.
This past season at McGill, Emily made her Canadian debut as the Governess in The Turn of the Screw. She also sang in the mini-opera A Little Rain must fall (Sonia) and the new opera Vanishing Point (Aida) in collaboration with Musique 3 Femmes. She was recently named an MONC Illinois District Winner.
In the summer of 2021, she will be an Emerging Artist at Seagle Music Colony. In addition to opera, Emily thoroughly enjoys chamber and choral repertoire and has sung a variety of new works. When not singing, Emily can be found exploring the streets of Montreal!
Jacqueline Woodley (Finalist)
Where do you call home?
Montreal has been home now for 18 years (ah!) But in the summer, I still “go home” to Lake Huron and hang out in the sand as much as possible.
What would being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize enable you to do?
Pay off debt! haha. I wish I were joking… This would be such a gift though, to be able to breathe, and work less while finishing my degree. Having the honour of singing the recitals is very exciting and receiving the prize itself would mean a lot. I also have a few projects in mind that I’ve been wanting to bring to fruition. I would like to celebrate with a commissioned piece, as I’m passionate about celebrating living composers and librettists. I think it would be a wonderful moment to finally collaborate with artists I’ve been wanting to work with.
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Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I study with Dominique Labelle and Jennifer Szeto is my pianist. She and I have worked many times together so it’s really wonderful to do this together. I will also collaborate with Sylvain Bergeron on theorbo for my Purcell piece, I’m really excited!
Do you have a favourite part of your program?
I hate the favourite questions! It’s never easy to pick just one… I love that this program is a bit quirky because I only picked pieces I love and really wanted to sing. I have both old and new pieces on there - I love the feeling of pulling on an old sweater, and the nervous butterflies of a new piece! I do think the Lori Laitman piece Sitting on the edge is my favourite at the moment. She’s an American composer and has been so warm and generous in my correspondences with her. The music feels wonderful to sing and the poetry by Margaret Atwood is complex - it’s fascinating to explore.
What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
I recently did a Feldenkrais workshop. I have some experience with Alexander Technique and have been enjoying yoga lately, but I finished the workshop feeling like I’d been singing (well) for an hour when all I had sung was one line of music about 5 times throughout the morning. It was another reminder how much tension the body holds and how free the voice can be when all that is pared away. Now, to start practicing that…!
This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Coming back to school this year has been a true gift. Having the opportunity to make music in the same room with others, to have lessons, coachings and rehearsals with such wonderful people has made me feel myself, after months of beginning to feel quite lost. Being able to participate and respond to music being made in the same room has made me feel human and alive again. It seems unthinkable that this is unusual or special… this last year has felt somehow like an eternity. It’s hard to believe how much I was craving making music. I’ve been so lucky to be able to experience this, being at McGill. On the flip side, strangely, I have felt more connected to friends across the globe, musically speaking, as so many more concerts are being streamed. I’ve been able to connect with music from all over in a way that wasn’t possible before. That being said, I can’t wait until we can safely bathe in the sights and sounds of live music!
When you’re not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
Kids. As soon as I walk in the door, they drag me from my thoughts and work, and I can delve into home life. I love our cuddles, pizza and movie nights, endless baking, and bike rides. This year though, I’ve also begun doing yoga and that has been a game-changer. I have noticed a big difference in my focus and stress management. So that helps!
Biography
Soprano Jacqueline Woodley has been praised for her fearless versatility, changing styles fluidly from early music to contemporary, from opera to art song. Acclaimed as Milice in Svadba-Wedding (Toronto, San Francisco and Philadelphia), recent performances include Tina in Pacific Opera Victoria’s Canadian premiere of Jonathan Dove’s Flight, Daphne and Apollo for Montréal Baroque Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest and Toronto Masque Theatre and as a guest soloist in the recurring series “Bach Odyssey”with acclaimed violinist Emmanuel Vukovich.
Notable credits include Tapestry Opera’s searing Oksana G and award-winning M’dea Undone, Papagena in The Magic Flute and Forest Bird in Siegfried for the Canadian Opera Company, Messiah (National Arts Centre, Edmonton Symphony, Grand Philharmonic Choir, Against the Grain Theatre), a recording of Norbert Palej’s music with Canadian Art Song Project; and appearances with Montreal Symphony, Edmonton Opera, Vancouver Early Music and Clavecins en Concert.
Jacqueline is in her first year of a music performance doctorate at McGill University, from where she also holds a master’s in opera and was a member of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio.
Wesley Harrison (Finalist)
Where do you call home?
I grew up in Windsor, ON, Canada.
What would being named the winner of the Wirth Vocal Prize enable you to do?
Being named the winner of the Wirth vocal prize would enable me to further pay for the schooling I love and am trying to pay myself. It would also enable me to take another step towards creating and building upon my singing career.
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Who are you studying with and who will be your collaborative pianist?
I studied with Tracy Smith Bessette in the fall term and Matthew Treviño in the winter term. Esther Gonthier is my collaborative pianist.
Do you have a favourite part of your program?
My favourite part of my program is working with such insightful studio professors as well as the many opportunities that have been made for us singers.
What’s a recent musical discovery you’ve made?
A recent musical discovery I have made is an incredible amount of release and freedom in my singing and I love how this feels!
This has undoubtedly been a challenging year. How has music helped you find connection?
Music has helped me find connection in many ways this year and I am grateful for that! I have found more connection with my artistic self this year, as well as connection with other students in performances and sharing music we enjoy listening to.
When you’re not in preparation and practice mode, how do you disconnect?
To disconnect I love being outdoors on either a hike or a long bike ride by the water.
Biography
Wesley Harrison is a young tenor hailing from Windsor, ON Canada who began his musical journey with his first piano lessons at the age of 5. As he matured he began to sing in children’s choirs, church choirs, and high school ensembles as well as participating in competitions for piano and voice such as the Kiwanis music festival.
Having graduated from Wilfred Laurier University studying voice performance, he has been able to enjoy performing with the school as well as collaborate with other musicians and community ensembles. Wesley has enjoyed the opportunity of performing in musicals and operas such as L’elisir d’amore, Tender Land, and footloose as well as winning first place in the Wilfrid Laurier Concerto competition (2019), first place in his category for the NATS Ontario vocal competition (2019), and winning Most promising singer at the NATS Ontario vocal competition (2019).
Wesley is now enrolled in a Master’s of opera and voice performance program at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, and had the opportunity to perform in the Canadian premier of Joseph Bologne’s L’amant anonyme as well as take part in opera workshops with local composers. Wesley seeks to further grow and develop in his vocal training as well as continue to share his passion of music with the people around him.
