HCA SOCIETY PRESENTS
OPERA EXCEL AUDITION BOOTCAMP
Opera Excel Audition Bootcamp is a high-calibre, tuition-free training program for emerging artists who want to stand out in the audition room, curate their perfect aria package, and start hearing ‘yes’ from YAPs. Bookended by two group mock auditions, the entirety of the program is one-on-one, including vocal and acting coachings, professional career consultations, and headshot sessions. Participants work closely with an extraordinary roster of industry leaders: internationally-acclaimed soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, collaborative pianist and Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio Music Director Liz Upchurch, and award-winning theatre and opera director Jennifer Tarver. We also regularly welcome guest clinicians, most recently Morgan Reid, Managing Director of Dean Artists Management. Each cohort of this elite program is limited to just six singers and two collaborative pianists. Participants are guided to discover their authentic artistry, tapping into their unique strengths to unlock their full potential.
Program returning October 2026, stay tuned!
Meet the Faculty
Jennifer Tarver
Adrianne Pieczonka
Liz Upchurch
Vocal Coach
Voice Consultant
Stage Director
Pianist, educator, and vocal coach Liz Upchurch celebrates her 28th season as the Music Director of the Ensemble Studio at the Canadian Opera Company. In 2019 she was awarded the prestigious Ruby Mercer Award for her exemplary contribution to the operatic industry.
In her role as Music Director she has now helped to train and develop an entire generation of Canadian singers and pianists. Born and educated in Britain, Liz is a graduate prize-winning soloist of the Royal Academy of Music where she studied with Roger Vignoles and Martin Isepp.
She has performed and broadcast chamber music and song recitals throughout Europe and North America as well as having an extensive career as a repetiteur and vocal coach.
In 2021 she recorded Clara Schumann lieder with the Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, this CD in collaboration with the NAC was nominated for a Juno award. She is a frequent guest teacher at art institutions all over the world as well as international guest coach at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka has performed on the world’s leading opera and concert stages for over 35 years. Raised in Burlington, Ontario, she studied at the Universities of Western Ontario and Toronto.
She has appeared regularly at major opera houses including La Scala, Royal Opera House, Vienna State Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and the Canadian Opera Company, as well as at renowned festivals including Salzburg Festival, Bayreuth Festival, and the BBC Proms.
She has collaborated with many of the world’s leading conductors, including Sir Georg Solti, Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado, and Daniel Barenboim. Among her honours are a Dora Award for Sieglinde in Wagner’s Die Walküre, the Austrian title of “Kammersängerin,” a Juno Award for Pieczonka Sings Puccini, appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada, and Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada.
From 2019 to 2026, she served as Chair in Voice at the Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music, and is President of the Jury for the CMIM Voice Competition.
Award-winning creator, and director, dramaturg, Jennifer Tarver has worked internationally in both theatre and opera for over 25 years.
Recent productions include Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito for Pacific Opera Victoria, a staged Pergolesi’s Stabat (Edmonton premiere Opera), of Mater the Marshal’s Pomegranate at the Canadian Opera Company and Rota’s Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze (University of Toronto).
She has also directed for the Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, the Tarragon, Soulpepper and Buddies in Bad Times Theatres, as well as the Goodman Theatre (Chicago), The Long Wharf Theatre and Hartford Stage (Connecticut).
Jennifer was Artistic Director of Necessary Angel Theatre from 2013-2019, and has taught acting and directed for: the Royal Conservatory of Music, the University of Toronto’s opera department, the National Theatre School of Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University, George Brown College, McMaster University, Sheridan College and York University.
How to Apply
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
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All pieces must be submitted by video recording.
For Singers
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2 contrasting arias.
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There is no upper age limit, but singers should be at the emerging professional level, ie. completing/recently completed graduate school (or equivalent training)
For Pianists
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2 contrasting arias, one of which must include an accompanied recitative by Mozart; the orchestral interlude to ‘Casta Diva’ from Bellini’s Norma; and one of the following:
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A short solo piece
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OR
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Play & sing Act 1 of Puccini’s La bohème up to Schaunard’s entrance
OR
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Play & sing Act 2 finale of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro up to Antonio’s entrance
Applications for the Spring 2026 Opera Audition Bootcamp are now closed. Thank you for your interest.
Stay tuned: returning in October 2026!
Program History
HCA Society has a rich history of operatic training spanning over a decade. Until 2025, we hosted an annual single-day opera masterclass for local young opera singers and collaborative pianists. Having witnessed the success of this program, and recognizing the need for elite, highly-personalized professional training, Artistic and Executive Director Vitek Wincza founded Opera Excel with the vision of preparing young artists for remarkable careers. Our holistic approach, incorporating technique, stagecraft, career planning, and mental wellness, ensures that each participant is able to focus on their individual path, fostering a positive, supportive environment in which participants and faculty celebrate each others’ successes and build meaningful industry connections. This program is supported by our Artistic Advisory Committee, Liz Upchurch, Adrianne Pieczonka (herself an HCA alumna), and Jennifer Tarver, whose long-term partnerships offer abundant industry expertise.