A NOTE FROM CARA
Thank you for visiting my website!
Since I was a very young girl, my passion and gift has been to connect with audiences by helping them engage with their humanity and emotions. It is my hope to make even a brief difference in your life through the music I sing and stories I tell.
I’ve learned, through a confluence of events, there’s no ONE right way to do this. From singing in the Canadian Finals Rodeo competition in the early 90’s, to performing the role of the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro in a courtyard in Rome, Italy in 2009, to co-creating and performing in the outdoor concert series, Music in the Air, in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, to teaching, adjudicating, and creating performance opportunities for many students (and myself) over the years, my work has been ever-changing and evolving.
The metamorphosis expanded when I released two original singles in 2022, recounting a very personal part of my journey. With two more releases in 2023, there will undoubtedly be more exploration and releases on the way in a variety of genres.
There are so many more stories to tell, and although the future is uncertain, I promise there will be love, music, passion, vulnerability, and imperfection in all I do.
I hope you’ll stay with me on this journey!
From my heart to yours,
Cara
Biography
CARA LIANNE MCLEOD’s musical and artistic journey has taken her down winding and rewarding paths. Connecting with people through music is Cara’s passion and gift, and consistently she is recognized as a vibrant and generous artist, both on and off stage.
From childhood voice lessons, to the Canadian Finals Rodeo singing competition finals in the early 90’s, to performing the role of Contessa in Le Nozze Di Figaro in Rome, Italy in 2009, to writing and recording her own music, she continues to reinvent herself. Ms. McLeod’s operatic performances include Annina in La Traviata, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Nedda in Pagliacci, and Micaëla in Carmen. Most recently she performed in, and subsequently produced and performed in Roberto Devereux as Queen Elisabetta, her most challenging role to date. In recital and concert, she has appeared with Vocal Alchemy, Edmonton Youth Orchestra, Calgary Civic Symphony and Calgary Concert Opera Company, and numerous times with Alberta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) under the direction of Emilio De Mercato.
One of Cara’s performing highlights is sharing the stage with her dad singing “Country Roads” by John Denver. A year after his passing, she would be invited by Rick Worrall to join Rocky Mountain High concerts with ESO at the Winspear Centre, and would be invited to appear as the guest soprano soloist once again, before touring with the band in 2023. At the onset of the Covid19 pandemic, Cara sang from her balcony for neighbours and friends, and ended up garnering national media attention, which connected her to friends throughout Canada. For the next 2 years Cara remained active; singing in online and outdoor performances (with Edmonton Opera, Peace Region Music Series, and Calgary Concert Opera Company), teaching, and adjudicating the Ontario Music Festival Association Provincial Junior Voice classes. She co-created & performed in Music in the Air, an outdoor concert series with ASO - together with Emilio De Mercato, they offered 26 performances in Edmonton and Alberta. In 2022, Music in the Air - One Night at the Amphitheatre, offered the audience a full-length concert of opera, classical, and pop music, and included the first live performance of Cara’s debut single, My Love. She has gone on to record three other singles. As her artistic endeavours continue to diversify, Cara will continue to write and record music, and cross many genres on stage, as she remains a sought-after performer, teacher, adjudicator and clinician.
Resumé
Operas
Queen Elisabetta
Roberto Devereux by Donizetti with Calgary Concert Opera Company and CLM Productions, Music Directed by William Shookhoff
Annina
La Traviata by Verdi at Edmonton Opera, Directed by Alain Gauthier and Conducted by Judith Yan
Donna Elvira
Don Giovanni by Mozart at Edmonton Opera, Directed by Oriol Thomas and Conducted by Christopher Larkin
Berta
Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini at Edmonton Opera, Directed by Allison Grant and Conducted by Robert Dean
High Priestess
Aida by Verdi at Edmonton Opera, Directed by Dejan Miladnović and Conducted by Richard Buckley
Micaëla
Carmen by Bizet at Calgary Concert Opera Company, Directed by Barbara King
Carmen by Bizet at Vancouver Island Opera, Directed by Tatiana Vasilieva and Conducted by Gerald van Wyck
Contessa
Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart at Operafestival di Roma, Directed by Dr. Peter Atherton and Conducted by Francesco Carotenuto
Nedda
Pagliacci by Leoncavallo at Mercury Opera, Directed by Darcia Parada and Conducted by Mark Hyscko
Sandman & Dew Fairy
Hänsel and Gretel by Humperdinck at Opera NUOVA, Directed by Kim Mattice Wanat and Conducted by Ruggero Barbieri
Despina
Cosi fan Tutte (in concert) by Mozart at The Opera Project, Directed by Heidi Klassen and Conducted by Ruggero Barbieri
Concerts
Serendipity Recital with pianist Mark Payne, Western University Fridays at 12:30pm recital series
Rocky Mountain High: An Evening of John Denver Western Canada Concert Tour
Madonnaizetti Concert with Opera by Request, Toronto, Accompanied by William Shookhoff and Stacie McGregor
Mozart Vespers Vocal Alchemy & Chronos Vocal Ensemble, Conducted by Jordan Van Biert
Tribute to Renoir Alberta Symphony Orchestra, Conducted & Directed by Emilio De Mercato
Rocky Mountain High: An Evening of John Denver Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Lee Holdridge
National Anthem for Canada Day 150, Alberta Legislature
Opera al Fresco for Edmonton Opera, University of Alberta Botanic Garden
Symphony of Hope: Benefit Concert for Fort McMurray for Alberta Symphony Orchestra, Accompanied & Conducted by Emilio De Mercato
Symphony Paradiso: The Movie Music of Ennio Morricone & Nino Rota, Artistically Directed and Conducted by Emilio De Mercato
Premiere Tour of Alberta for Alberta Symphony Orchestra, Accompanied & Conducted by Emilio De Mercato
A Night at the Opera Gala for Mercury Opera, Directed by Darcia Parada and Conducted by Boris Derow
La Dolce Vita – A Taste of Italy, Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
Ft. McMurray Music Teachers’ Association Concert, Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
Viva Verdi Gala Concert for Edmonton Opera / Edmonton Youth Orchestra, Conducted by Michael Massey
Let the Music Move You, Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
Valentine’s Gala, Edmonton Opera
Glenn Gould Piano Festival
Opera NUOVA Cabaret, Directed by Kim Mattice Wanat
Debut Gala Concert, Calgary Concert Opera Company, Directed by Barbara King
Oceanside Recital Series, Vancouver Island Opera
Music for Life: Cancer Society Fundraiser, Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Claude Lapalme
Teaching
In addition to her performing, Cara McLeod has been teaching voice to students of all ages for over 15 years. She cares deeply for her students and focuses on their individual needs, encouraging them to reach their full potential, whether in private lessons or workshop settings. Ms. McLeod has also vocal coached and artistic directed numerous projects, including the small vocal ensemble at Keyano College and the Alberta Heritage Music Project, bringing seniors and students together in a music-memory collaboration and performance.
Cara is a sought-after adjudicator and clinician who finds a strong sense of gratification in working with singers of all ages, and providing them with feedback on their singing journey. In 2010, she conducted three workshops for choristers in the Elk Island Choirs, wherein Leesila Dawkins, the Junior Honour Choir Director stated, “Cara is energetic and organized. She has a warm, powerful lyric voice, as well as a beautiful interpretive dramatic and musical sense. I feel she is a singer and workshop leader of wonderful potential.” In 2018, she was a mentor for the Artist In Residency program with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and as a result of that work, was inspired to create workshops “Reveal your Voice: Exploring Expression & Creativity through Singing” to empower participants to uncover their true potential.
Ms. McLeod is also a past committee member of the Friends of Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, and past Board member and Chair of Alberta Music Education Foundation, a registered charity that provides funding and innovative ideas for music education throughout Alberta, which she still supports as a member and volunteer.
Voice Teacher
Private Voice Instruction, 2003 – Present
Musical Theatre Instructor, Keyano College Conservatory, 2010-2011
Voice Instructor, Keyano College of Visual & Performing Arts, 2009-2010
Small Ensemble Director, Keyano College of Visual & Performing Arts, 2009-2010
Vocal Coach/Clinician
Visiting Masterclass Clinician Kamloops Symphony Music School, April 2024
Visiting Masterclass Clinician Western University, March 2024
Visiting Masterclass Clinician University of Alberta, November 2021
Visiting Masterclass Clinician Maura Sharkey-Pryma private studio, 2017, 2020 and 2022
Grande Prairie Regional College Visitor in the Arts and Masterclass Technician, February 2020
Vocal Training Mentor Artist in Residence program, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, July 2018
Vocal Coach, Grease, Keyano Theatre, 2008
Introduction to Opera Workshops Elk Island Honour Choirs, 2010
Adjudicator
Ontario Music Festivals Association, Junior Voice provincials, 2021
Oilsands Rotary Music Festival, Voice, 2019
Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival, Voice, 2016
High River Music Festival, Voice, 2012
Lacombe Music Festival, Voice, 2012
Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival, Junior Voice, 2011
Sherwood Park Music Festival, Senior Voice, 2009
Artistic Director
Music in the Air, Outdoor concert series, 2021
Alberta Heritage Music Project, Connecting Seniors and Students, Rotary House & Golden Years Society
La Dolce Vita – A Taste of Italy, Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
Let the Music Move You, Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts
Training
Programs
Artist Diploma in Performance with Distinction, University of Western Ontario
Teachers
Coaches
Affiliations
Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA)
Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association (CMFAA)
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) (Apprentice)
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