https://www.edmontonopera.com/rumbold-2025-apply

Rumbold Vocal Prize, Edmonton, AB (2026)

11/24/2025

We are delighted to announce Korin Thomas-Smith as the First Place Winner of the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize. Alongside the top honour, Korin received the Residency Prize and The Grace Audience Choice Award, completing a remarkable sweep that illuminated this year’s celebration of emerging Canadian talent.

Now in its fourth year, the Rumbold Vocal Prize continues to honour the vision set by Grace and Arnold Rumbold: to champion the next generation of Canadian vocalists and create pathways toward professional operatic careers. Their commitment laid the foundation for an award that opens doors, nurtures artistry, and gives young singers the space to grow, evolve, and be heard.

Our sincere thanks to the audiences, donors, mentors, artists, and community partners who helped make this year’s program such a meaningful success. Your support and enthusiasm shaped an inspiring week for everyone involved.

Photos:

11/13/2025

Introducing the Grace Rumbold Audience Choice Award

This year, we are honoured to introduce a new $1,000 prize at the Rumbold Vocal Prize: the Grace Audience Choice Award, created in memory of Grace Rumbold, whose vision and generosity helped bring this national competition to life.

Grace—alongside her husband, Arnold Rumbold—has been a cornerstone of Edmonton’s arts community for more than six decades. Since their first Edmonton Symphony Orchestra concerts in 1960, Grace’s devotion to the arts never wavered. Her philanthropy extended far beyond the concert hall, supporting initiatives from the Trans Canada Trail to women in trades, all rooted in her belief in lifting others up.

Four years ago, Grace and Arnold approached Edmonton Opera with a remarkable proposal: a nationwide opera prize that would champion emerging artists, build skills, foster professional networks, and offer meaningful opportunities at a pivotal moment in their careers.�The result was the Rumbold Vocal Prize.

Grace was a warm, joyful presence at every event. She greeted artists with genuine enthusiasm, cheered passionately from the audience, and celebrated each finalist as they stepped offstage. Her love of music and community made an indelible mark on Edmonton, and she is deeply missed by her opera family.

As we approach this year’s Rumbold Vocal Prize Concert, we invite you to join us in celebrating Grace Rumbold’s enduring legacy. Thanks to her vision, we continue to uplift the next generation of opera artists from across Canada—now with a new award shaped by the voices of the audience she loved so much.

The Grace Rumbold Audience Choice Award�Honouring legacy. Celebrating artistry. Powered by you.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025�
📍 Horowitz Theatre�
🎟️ Reserve your seat before they’re gone: https://www.edmontonopera.com/rumbold-2025

10/30/2025

Meet the Finalist: Korin Thomas-Smith

We are proud to introduce Korin Thomas-Smith, finalist for the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize.

Named one of ’s “30 hot classical musicians under 30”, Canadian baritone Korin Thomas-Smith has performed across North America with a growing list of distinguished companies. In 2025, he joined The Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Artist, covering Conte Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro and performing Count Ceprano in Rigoletto and Schaunard in La bohème.

An alumnus of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio , Korin returns to the COC stage as Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, before making his house debut at The Dallas Opera in The Little Prince in 2026. Previous highlights include performances with the Glimmerglass Festival , Des Moines Metro Opera , and the Ravinia Steans Music Institute .

A graduate of the University of Toronto Opera and Yale University , Korin continues to earn acclaim for his versatility, artistry, and commanding stage presence.

🎟️ See who takes home the prize! Join us for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale—an unforgettable evening celebrating Canada’s next great opera voices.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025 📍 Horowitz Theatre

Photos: (1) , (2) , (3) , (4)

10/27/2025

Meet the Finalist: Queen Hezumuryango

We are honoured to introduce Queen Hezumuryango, finalist for the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize.

Originally from Burundi, Queen holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance from the University of Montreal and is an alumna of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio . She is also a laureate of Théâtre Lyrichorégra’s Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques .

Her recent performance credits include Carmen (BrottOpera ), Cavalleria rusticana and La reine-garçon (Canadian Opera Company), and Il barbiere di Siviglia (Highlands Opera Studio ). She was named one of ’s “30 hot classical musicians under 30” and nominated for a Dora Award for her role in Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha.

A rising star in the Canadian opera scene, Queen continues to impress audiences and critics alike with her vibrant stage presence and magnetic voice.

🎟️ See who takes home the prize!
Join us for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale—an unforgettable evening celebrating Canada’s next great opera voices.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 Horowitz Theatre

Photos: (2) .umontreal (3) (4)

10/22/2025

Meet the Finalist: Duncan Stenhouse

We are delighted to introduce Duncan Stenhouse, finalist for the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize.

A Canadian-British-Irish bass and composer, Duncan is currently a member of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio and was named one of CBC Music’s “30 hot classical musicians under 30.” His 2024/25 season includes performances across Canada, the UK, and the United States, where he made his U.S. debut as a Resident Artist at The Glimmerglass Festival.

An artist of remarkable range, Duncan’s repertoire spans from Mozart and Verdi to Britten and Bartók. This season at the Canadian Opera Company, he performs in Rigoletto and Il barbiere di Siviglia, and continues his studies on roles in Roméo et Juliette and Bluebeard’s Castle.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador, Duncan has earned numerous awards, including the The Christina and Louis Quilico Awards and the Sybil Tutton Opera Award.

🎟️ See who takes home the prize! Join us for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale—an unforgettable evening celebrating Canada’s next great opera voices.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 Horowitz Theatre
🎟️ https://tickets.edmontonopera.com/8603/8627

Photos: (1) Sam Gaetz, (2) Craig Fuller, (3) Michael Cooper, (4) Matthew Williams-Ellis

10/20/2025

Meet the Finalist: Hannah Crawford

We are thrilled to introduce Hannah Crawford, finalist for the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize.

With a spinto soprano voice praised for its colour and emotional range, Hannah continues to captivate audiences across Canada. Originally from Bancroft, Ontario, she gave her first paid performance singing O Canada at the Bancroft Annual Rockhound Gemboree. Since then, she has appeared with The Royal Conservatory of Music, Chicago Summer Opera, and made her Edmonton Opera debut as Helmwige in Die Walküre.

Her achievements include top prizes at the Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage Competition, the The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, and the Wagner Society of New York Competition.

🎟️ See who takes home the prize!
Join us for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale—an unforgettable evening celebrating Canada’s next great opera voices.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 Horowitz Theatre
🎟️ https://tickets.edmontonopera.com/8603/8627

Photos: (1,3,4) Stuart Lowe, (2) Nanc Price

10/02/2025

Meet the Host: Carole Anne Devaney

We are delighted to welcome Carole Anne Devaney as host of the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize Finals.

Carole Anne is the co-anchor of Global News at 5 and Global News Hour at 6 in Edmonton. Proudly Franco-Ontarian, she grew up in Ottawa and continues to champion causes close to her heart, including the Edmonton Burn Treatment Society, the Kids With Cancer Society, and READ IN Week.

A familiar face to Edmonton Opera audiences, she was also the MC for our Dianna Kipnes Valentine’s Gala. Beyond her work and community advocacy, Carole Anne is married to a firefighter, and together they are raising three children here in Edmonton.

🎟️ See who takes home the prize!
Join us for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale—an unforgettable evening celebrating Canada’s next great opera voices.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 Horowitz Theatre

09/24/2025

The wait is over—the finalists are here!

After a nationwide audition tour across Canada, five extraordinary singers are stepping into the spotlight as the 2025 Rumbold Vocal Prize contenders:

Hannah Crawford, Soprano
Queen Hezumuryango, Mezzo-Soprano
Korin Thomas-Smith, Baritone
Duncan Stenhouse, Bass
and with special recognition, University of Alberta Student Finalist, Wiktoria Jurkiewicz, Soprano

This November, these remarkable artists will bring their artistry, passion, and power to Edmonton for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Finals—an unforgettable evening where the future of Canadian opera takes centre stage.

Swipe through to meet the voices of tomorrow, and join us in celebrating this thrilling moment for Canadian opera.

09/05/2025

The Rumbold Vocal Prize is one step closer to discovering the voices of tomorrow.

After receiving applications from across the country, a talented group of finalists has been invited to the next stage: live auditions. These artists will perform for Edmonton Opera’s Executive Director, Robin Whiffen, and Head of Artistic Operations, Holly Kroeker — bringing their voices and artistry directly into the room.

It’s a moment of opportunity, growth, and inspiration. From here, the journey continues toward the announcement of this year’s prize.

Follow along as we highlight the artists and share glimpses of their path to the stage.

08/28/2025

Meet the Judge: Shannon Hiebert

A familiar face to Edmonton Opera audiences as our Chorus Director, Shannon Hiebert returns to the Rumbold Vocal Prize jury – bringing her expertise back to the panel after serving as a judge in past competitions.

A graduate of the University of Manitoba and the University of Michigan, Shannon has studied with renowned teachers Martin Katz, Martin Isepp, and Sydney Young McInnis, and has performed across North America, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan.

Her career spans collaborations with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and Edmonton Opera, along with tours for Broadway Across Canada in productions such as Mamma Mia, Spamalot, Wicked, and Book of Mormon. As Music Director, she has led acclaimed productions including Spring Awakening, A Little Night Music, Fiorello, and The Light in the Piazza.

An award-nominated music director and passionate educator, Shannon has coached at universities across Canada and with programs including Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program, Opera NUOVA, and the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy. She joined Edmonton Opera as chorus master in 2022 and continues to inspire singers with her artistry, precision, and dedication.

🎟️ See who takes home the prize!
Join us for the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale – an unforgettable evening celebrating Canada’s next great opera voices.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 Horowitz Theatre
🔗 Tickets: tickets.edmontonopera.com/8603

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