Opera (Diploma)

Laurier’s Opera Diploma is a two-term program for singers and collaborative pianists who have completed an undergraduate degree or diploma in music and are looking to deepen their knowledge and skills in opera. Running from September to April, the program offers specialized instruction in voice, collaborative piano and stagecraft.

You’ll receive intensive training from leading stage directors, acting clinicians and opera coaches, with instruction in movement, acting, audition readiness, stagecraft, the art of coaching and all aspects of the business of opera. Embrace a highly interactive environment where you’ll explore every facet of creating opera and music theatre from the ground up.

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Program Details

Diploma Highlights

At Laurier, your professors are dedicated to providing a current, comprehensive and career-focused education. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Master the Foundations 
    Build core skills in interpreting and adapting piano/vocal scores, following conductors and exploring orchestral colour. Gain experience in coaching techniques, recitative and pit performance. Many students use this time to prepare audition materials for graduate school or professional opportunities.
  • Enhance Your Performance Skills 
    Vocalists work on refining their technique, developing practical audition skills and creating effective publicity materials. Collaborative pianists focus on developing their accompanying and rehearsal techniques while deepening their interpretive skills. Both groups work with prominent stage directors and clinicians in movement, acting, stagecraft, publicity and makeup. Advance your craft through courses such as The Practice of Opera, Advanced Practical Study and Studio Recital.

Top Experiences

These are some of the most memorable and impactful learning opportunities available to students in the Opera Diploma:

  • Immersive Performance Opportunities 
    Take part in Opera Laurier’s annual season—featuring themed operatic and music theatre excerpts in the fall and a full-length opera production in the winter.
  • Learn from Canada’s Best 
    Collaborate with top performers, creators and educators from across the country. Pianists participate actively in rehearsals and performances where applicable.
  • Individualized Artistic Development 
    Receive tailored mentorship to refine your vocal or pianistic abilities, while building confidence in stage movement, makeup and the overall art of performance.
  • Past Opera Productions 
    Le nozze di Figaro (2025), Into the Woods (2024), Little Women (2023), Dialogues des Carmelites (2021)

Admissions

  • Format: full time
  • Duration: two terms
  • Start: September (fall term)

Your Career Awaits

For more than 50 years, Laurier's diploma in Opera has enjoyed a fine reputation as a training ground for advanced pre-professional Opera and music theatre singers, directors and repetiteurs.

Our many alums who have gone on to achieve great success in music include:

  • Jane Archibald, Juno Award-winning soprano, with performances at La Scala Milan, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Paris Opera and more
  • Daniel Cabena, acclaimed concert singer, recitalist, chamber musician and singing actor
  • Sarah Dufresne, second prize winner (Aria) at the 2022 Montreal International Competition and featured on CBC’s 30 Under 30
  • Sandra Horst, Chorus Master at the Canadian Opera Company
  • Erica Iris Huang, chorus member with the Canadian Opera Company
  • Adam Luther, tenor, with recent performances as Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus (Edmonton Opera) and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly (Vancouver Opera)
  • Midori Marsh, winner of the 2019 Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio Competition

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot. With more than 60 programs in arts, science, business and music, you can customize your degree, gain hands-on learning opportunities and join in the community beyond the classroom.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

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Delivered In Person

Join us on campus and experience university life firsthand.

You can complete your program primarily through in-person courses where you will attend classes in a physical classroom on scheduled days and times, which you will see and choose from when you register for courses. 

Connect face-to-face with your professors, learn alongside your classmates and be part of the campus community from day one.  

Hear From Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?