Our Mission

To foster the love of opera in young people through a disciplined and rigorous artistic practice by providing training and enriching performance experiences and being a leader in the creation and development of diverse Canadian children’s operatic repertoire.

About CANADIAN CHILDREN'S OPERA COMPANY

Established in 1968 by Ruby Mercer, the Canadian Children's Opera Company is a world-class ensemble that introduces the magic of opera to children and youth through professional musical and dramatic education and the performance of established and newly commissioned operatic and choral repertoire. We commission and produce professional-level operas performed by children and youth every year. Our staff and guest instructors provide world-class training in both music and drama. Over the years, we have been the children’s chorus of the Canadian Opera Company, commissioned 14 major operatic works, released six albums, and performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Art of Time Ensemble, Soundstreams and the Luminato Festival. 

OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide a unique and comprehensive musical and drama education to young people that will cultivate formative life skills of confidence, community, collaboration and empathy in the interest of fostering a lifelong enjoyment of the arts in children and youth.
2. To produce and participate in professional-level operas and choral concerts.
3. To represent the diversity of the community in our choruses, our repertoire, and organization in the interest of fostering an inclusive and supportive culture in our learning and performance environments.
4. To commission operatic and choral repertoire for children and youth by leading Canadian and international artists.
5. To introduce young audiences to storytelling through opera, and general audiences to the unique art form of children’s opera.
6. To build a community support and sustained growth through exemplary governance, management, volunteer and staff development, and innovative partnerships.

CORE VALUES

The CCOC is committed to being a world-class ensemble company rooted in these core values:

1. Team work and the process of working collectively and collaboratively.
2. A barrier free, accessible program for young artists, regardless of their socio-economic background, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, learning or physical abilities.
3. Transformative environment to enhance, advance, and nurture individual creative growth.
4. The advancement of opera and storytelling, using a combination of all the arts, regardless of musical style, culture, or period.
5. The creation of new works and productions, from and for children’s voices, that are of social importance and modern relevance.

NEW OPERA’S COMMISSIONED AND PRODUCED FOR CHILDREN’S VOICES

The CCOC has commissioned major operatic works by Canadian and International composers and librettists:

• 1973 – The Selfish Giant, Charles M. Wilson
• 1979 - Chip and His Dog - Gian Carlo Menotti
• 1982 - Canon’s Cure - Derek Holman & Robertson Davies
• 1988 - A Midwinter Night’s Dream, Harry Somers & Tim Wynne Jones
• 1993 - The Snow Queen, 1993, John Greer and Jeremy James Taylor
• 2004 - The Hobbit, Dean Burry
• 2005 - A Dickens of a Christmas, Errol Gay & Michael Patrick Albano
• 2008 – Dragon in The Rocks,
• 2010 – The Secret World of Og, Alexander Rapoport
• 2012 – Laura’s Cow: The Legend of Lara Secord, Errol Gay and Michael Patrick Albano
• 2014 – East ‘o the Sun and West ‘o the Moon, Norbert Palej and K.T. Bryski
• 2015 - Alice in Wonderland, Errol Gay & Michael Patrick Albano
• 2017 – Brundibar, Hans Krasa (produced only)
• 2018 - The Monkiest KingAlice Ho and Marjorie Chan
• 2022 – Nightingale of 1000 Songs, Serouj Kradjian and Marjorie Chan