Summer 2026 Emerging Artists Opera Program 

Canadian stage director Rob Herriot’s career has taken him across North America. In the past year, Rob has been very fortunate to have stayed busy. He directed At the Statue and of Venus and Bon Appetite for the Little Opera Company’s I Need Opera…and Dance that premiered in the fall of 2020. Earlier this year he wrote and directed a 6-part series called Opera School for Manitoba Opera. He has directed productions of Madama Butterfly, Lucia de Lammermoor, La Boheme, Carmen, Rigoletto, and Don Pasquale (Manitoba Opera), Barbar of Seville, Don Pasquale (Livermore Valley Opera), La Traviata, Don Pasquale (Opera Hamilton), Carmen, Don Pasquale (Arizona Opera), Don Pasquale (Connecticut Opera, Utah Opera), new productions of Rigoletto (2019), HMS Pinafore (2018), Hansel and Gretel, and Magic Flute. Other productions from Edmonton include Turandot, Pirates of Penzance, La Fille Du Regiment, HMS Pinafore (Edmonton Opera-winner of a Sterling Award for Outstanding Musical of the Season); Tosca, The Mikado, La Cenerentola, all nominated for Sterling Award’s Best Musical Production of their year. For Calgary Opera he has directed productions of Tosca and Barber of Seville, both nominated for Betty Mitchell awards for Best Musical of 2009 and 2018 seasons, as well as La Boheme for the 40th anniversary of the company. Other productions for Calgary include The Magic Flute, Pirates of Penzance and Candide, as well as numerous shows for their Emerging Artists program.

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Denise Williams is a seasoned professional in the world of music and performance education, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talent. With over 30 years of experience as an international soloist, Denise has graced concert, opera, and theatre stages, collaborating with renowned organizations such as The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Mirvish Productions, and Theatre Northwest. ​ Denise founded No Strings Theatre with a vision to empower young artists by building their musical theatre skills and equipping them with essential life and team skills. As a respected voice educator, Denise has taught privately for over 25 years and serves as a Vocal Instructor at Sheridan College’s Music Theatre department. She is also an advanced voice teacher certified by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and a voice professor at Canada Christian College. ​ Her professional affiliations include her role as Vice President of the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), and member of Canadian Actors Equity. Denise’s leadership and commitment to inclusivity in the arts continue to inspire and guide No Strings Theatre’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality training and performance opportunities for emerging artists.

Marcia Whitehead sang professionally as a mezzo soprano with Opera companies and Symphonies across Canada for over 15 years. She apprenticed with Montréal Opera's L'Atelier Lyrique, and is an alumnus of numerous operatic young artist programs. Today, Marcia focusses on preparing the next generation of singers via her private teaching studio, high-energy masterclasses, and as a music festival adjudicator. As well, she gives motivational talks centred around her book, Botox Me - A memoir, which recounts the highs and lows of her her roller-coaster ride with muscle tension dysphonia. Marcia is thrilled to be back with No Strings Theatre's 2025 summer program as a mentor and masterclass clinician. To learn more about Marcia, please visit marciawhitehead.com

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