McPhee Artist Development Program

Each season, Calgary Opera provides emerging professional artists with the opportunity to study and perform with the support of industry professionals. Led by McPhee Artist Development Program Manager Dr. Tara M. Laberge, the program serves as a bridge between academia and the professional world of opera, offering the experience and practical training necessary to succeed as a self-employed artist in a highly competitive international environment.

Calgary Opera is committed to empowering all voices, regardless of background or identity, and is dedicated to creating belonging through safe spaces. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds who share in our commitment to building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment.

One of only a few emerging artist residency programs for Canadian opera singers. Participants receive paid Equity contracts for a minimum of 44 weeks over two years.
McPhee Artists have weekly sessions with our internationally renowned resident coaching faculty.
Voice lessons with master pedagogues, trained in working with professional artists on technique, performance practice, and vocal health.
Work with and alongside singers, directors, and conductors from all over the globe, both onstage and in professional development seminars.
Artists craft, well-being, body/mind work, and development of reflective practice is explicitly taught.
Caring, supportive, artist-centered program administration.

MEET THE PROGRAM FACULTY

SUPPORT THE MCPHEE ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The McPhee Artist Development Program is supported in part by individual patrons. If you are interested in enabling professional development and performance growth for future opera stars through the McPhee Artist Development Program, please contact Pam Snowdon, Individual Giving Officer:

psnowdon@calgaryopera.com
403-802-3409

APPLY TO THE PROGRAM

Applications for the 2027/28 McPhee Artist Development Program open at the end of May. *At this time, we are only accepting applications from singers who are Canadian citizens or residents of Canada.*