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 Cassandra Bourne is an internationally renowned Director, Master Teacher, Performer, Adjudicator and Examiner, with an incredibly dedicated and passionate commitment to the Arts and the highest standards of excellence in every challenge she undertakes. She has an extensive and varied experience, with an informed knowledge of all aspects of Arts Education, and has become renowned as a contemporary Impresaria.
Poised on the edge of an exciting career, award-winning soprano Cassandra Bourne is one of the most recent of Canada’s extraordinary emerging young performing artists as well.
She has an impressive Vocal pedigree. Included among her teachers and coaches are Metropolitan Opera Sopranos Sharon Sweet, Renata Scotto, Evelyn Lear and Lorna MacDonald, William Neill and Dixie Ross Neill, Michael Evans, Michael McMahon and Order of Canada recipient Stuart Hamilton.
She began her training at the Royal Conservatory of Music during which she was awarded the Emily Tedd and Ernesto Vinci scholarships. She later entered the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She subsequently became assistant conductor of the University of Toronto’s Women’s Chorus and performed in the Opera Division’s production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s PATIENCE directed by Michael Albano while still an undergraduate in an Education program.
Ms. Bourne continued her studies at McGill University in the Licentiate in Voice Performance program, later earning a Masters of Music in Voice Performance. During this period she performed under the baton of Timothy Vernon the roles of Pease Blossom in Benjamin Britten’s A MIDSMUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, La Voix in Offenbach’s THE TALES OF HOFFMAN and the Mother in Charpentier’s LOUISE. She has also appeared in the title role in Strauss’ ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, Lady Billows in Benjamin Britten’s ALBERT HERRING and the Third Lady in Conrad Sousa’s TRANSFORMATIONS.
Excerpted roles performed include those of Elisabeth in Wagner's TANNHÄUSER, Salomé in Massenet's HÉRODIADE, Leonora in Beethoven’s FIDELIO, the first lady in Mozart’s DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE and the Countess in Mozart’s LE NOZZE DI FIGARO as well as numerous Oratorio solos including those from Handel's MESSIAH, Mendelssohn's EIJAH, Beethoven's CHRISTUS AM ÖLBERGE, Bach's CANTATA NO. 21, and Pergolesi's STABAT MATER.
As honoured recipient, Miss Bourne was awarded the Austrian Scholarship in 1997, which enabled her to study with famed opera singer Julia Hamari at the Wiener Master Class in Vienna.
Performing engagements have included the Opera Hamilton productions of Puccini’s LA BOHÈME under Peter Oleskevitch and Daniel Lipton, and Verdi’s I DUE FOSCARI with direction by Christopher Newton. As a member of Iwan Edward’s Capella McGill, Ms. Bourne performed in Stravinsky’s LES NOCES under Charles Dutoit, Paco Peña’s MISA FLAMENCA and Beethoven’s SYMPHONY #9 with Timothy Vernon.
Her performing expertise and immediate interests lie with the complete Operatic and Classical Vocal repertoire for the Lirico-Spinto and Dramatic Soprano with a concentration in Verdi, Strauss and Wagnerian roles. She is fluent in English, French, German and Italian repertoire and is equally at home with all Vocal genres from Art Song and Opera, to R & B and Jazz.
In addition to singing, Ms. Bourne is continuously engaged as a Music examiner, adjudicator and keynote speaker, presenting seminars, workshops and master classes, throughout the country and abroad. Miss Bourne has prepared students, teachers, choirs, bands and orchestras for public Concerts, Opera and Musical Theatre, Television and Film engagements, Festivals and Competition, University Entrance Exams and Careers in the Performing Arts. She also is a Music Examiner for the International Baccalaureate Organization, and adjudicates throughout Canada at various competitions of the National Music Festival.
Miss Bourne’s expertise covers a wide area of responsibilities, providing her with unique insights into the desirable qualities in a Master Teacher. Her experience has prepared her for the challenges that arise in educating and inspiring students of all ages and at all levels of ability and achievement in their preparation for the wonderful world of Music. She is dedicated to enhancing the student experience while imparting a deeper understanding of Music production and artistry in the study and performance of challenging repertoire.
Ms. Bourne is very active as an adjudicator at Festivals and Competitions across the country. Past engagements include the Barrie Music Festival, Kiwanis Club of Carbonear Regional Music Festival, Pembroke Kiwanis Music Festival (for which she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of enthusiastic encouragement and mentoring of Vocal participants), Rotary Burlington Music Festival, Quinte Rotary Music Festival, St. John’s Kiwanis Music Festival, Brampton-Caledon Music Festival, Pickering Greater Toronto Area Music Festival, Central Newfoundland Kiwanis Music Festival, the Markham Music Festival, the Brandon Festival of the Arts, the Lakehead Festival of Music and the Arts, the Queen's County Music Festival in affiliation with the Prince Edward Island Music Festival Association and the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals as well as the New Brunswick Federation of Music Festivals 33rd Provincial Finals for the Canadian Music Competition. Upcoming Festival engagements include the Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival and the Orillia Kiwanis Music Festival.
Miss Bourne is the Executive and Artistic Director of Arts Integra Centre for Music and the Arts. She is a member of the Markham Arts Council, the Canadian Federation of Music Adjudicators’ Association, and the Chamber of Commerce. She is also an Adjudicator and Senior Music Examiner for various Organizations worldwide.
As an Impresaria, Ms. Bourne is committed to contributing to the cultural development of Canada, realized through the creation of Gallery Exhibitions, Opera Training Programs and Concert Recitals.
Her commitment and desire to promote a higher interest and awareness in phenomenal young performers and Artists guided her to create and develop the Arts Integra International Emerging Artist Summer Programs and the Arts Integra International Festival Competition.
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