Gwenlynn Little
After graduation from the University of Toronto with ARCT diplomas in both Piano and Voice, as Solo performer in each, Gwenlynn Little went on to have a 45-year singing career. As a Mozart specialist she was soloist with the Canadian Opera Company for 10 years, leading soprano in the Mozart operas at the Avon Theatre at the Stratford Festival for 4 years, and for 10 years sang leading roles with the New York City Opera. She was a frequent guest artist in major roles with opera houses in England, Scotland, Switzerland and Germany.
Ms. Little performed in the first opera ever presented at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa (Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro). Numerous performances with symphonies and choirs in concerts and oratorios took her all over North America, and she has appeared in many recitals and concerts of chamber music. Ms. Little was nominated for a Genie award for her portrayal of Serpina in the CBCTV production of La Serva Padrona, and she debuted Sydney Hodkin’s Chanson de Jadis at the National Arts Centre. When the Ottawa Chamber group L’Espace Musique held a tribute to Louis Applebaum, Ms. Little was asked to sing his song cycle Folio of Shakespearean Songs and coached them with the composer.
Ms Little is now in demand for master classes, workshops,lectures, and as a music festival adjudicator. She has many private students in both classical voice and music theatre. Several of her students are already performing with opera companies in Europe. Former students of hers have sung in London’s WestEnd and with opera companies throughout Canada. She currently presents workshops at the Stratford Festival, and teaches a number of the Festival artists privately. Since September of 2004, Ms. Little has been on the teaching faculty of the University of Western Ontario.
In the Fall of 2006, 4 celli and Ms. Little formed the chamber ensemble “Celli-bration” unique in that it embraces soprano and strings. Their repertoire encompasses music of Beethoven, Brahms, Lehar, Romberg, Mancini, and Debussy. At present they are enjoying performances around Ontario.
On Oct. 30, 2009, Gwenlynn and Sir William Hughes launched their first CD (Classically Celtic) (voice and flute) with a performance in Von Kuster Hall at Western University and are working on their second CD now.
Ms. Little was recipient of 7 Canada Council Awards, winner of the Sir Tyrone Guthrie Award at the Stratford Festival, attended the Opera School for the Canadian Opera co. on full scholarship for 3 years. She received the silver medal for the highest marks for Grade 10 singing exam at the Royal Consevatory of Music.
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