(Credit: Canadian Opera Company official website)

The Canadian Opera Company has announced that it will offer two digital programs in March 2021.

First up is the “Gender and the Opera.” The interactive discussion will explore how gender constructs affect opera professionals, and the art form itself. The virtual event will be moderated by Aria Umezawa, Canadian stage director, consultant, and co-founder of the Amplified Opera.

The panel will spotlight the Amplified Opera’s co-founders Teiya Kasahara, Marion Newman, and Asitha Tennekoon; COC Ensemble Studio baritone Jonah Spungin; performer, creator, and transgender advocate Avery Jean Brennan; and actor and singer Jonathan Christopher.

The event will take place on March 5, 2021 at 7 p.m. EST.

Next up is a program entitled “Exploring new opera.” The event will take place between March 15 and March 19 2021 at 2 p.m. EST, and will be hosted by COC Opera Teaching Artist Makenzie Morgan. The series of events will feature groups of artists and craftspeople exploring what a career in the performing arts can look like. Admission is free.

Among the artists included in this series are composer Ian Cusson; COC Ensemble studio artists Matthew Cairns and Alex Soloway; COC Props Supervisor Wulf Higgins; Wig and Makeup Supervisors Sharon Ryman and Sandra Corazza; Dramaturg Julie McIsaac; and Therapist Dr. Sarah Rose Black.