The COC Ensemble Studio has welcomed four rising artists starting in the company’s 2023-24 season.

The rising artists chosen were soprano Karoline Podolak, tenor Wesley Harrison, baritone Korin Thomas-Smith, and pianist Mattia Senesi. The four will officially join the highly specialized development program for Canadian opera professionals this August, alongside returning sopranos Ariane Cossette and Charlotte Siegel, mezzo-sopranos Alex Hetherington and Queen Hezumuryango, and pianist Brian Cho.

In a statement, COC General Director Perryn Leech said, “The Canadian Opera Company has a long-standing commitment to recognizing and nurturing young artist development. For decades now, the Ensemble Studio has helped prepare generations of Canadian opera artists and then watch them launch major international careers. We are thrilled to see Karoline, Wesley, Korin, and Mattia join this exceptional program – I look forward to seeing everything they get from the experience. Opera’s future is in exciting young hands.”

Auditions for the 2024/2025 Ensemble Studio will open this spring, and the next COC Ensemble Studio Competition is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2023, with full details to follow at a later date.