NEWS

 

 

AUGUST | 2022

 

We're thrilled to announce that in-person Voice Lessons will resume September 2022 at our new Thamesford Ontario Studio! Virtual lessons will continue for those who prefer.

 

We can’t wait to coach our singers on their various performances, auditions, vocal exams, and of course our ‘Gift of Song‘ Studio Recital in December!

 

*We’ll be offering free Voice Assessments to new students from September 6-11, 2022. Please email us to reserve your spot!

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MAY 12 | 2018

 

Recital PosterThe singers of the Gassi Voice Studio are very excited to present our sixth annual Spring Sing Recital, on Saturday May 12 at 7pm!

 

Each singer has been honing their craft to deliver extraordinary performances of songs from Musical Theatre, Classical, Jazz and everything in between.  Their dedication and passion for singing will culminate in an extraordinary evening of musical magic.

 

Admission is free, and we hope to see you there!

 

If you are interested in joining our studio, please visit the Singing Lessons page and contact us with any inquiries.

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NOVEMBER 15 | 2017

 

We are excited to present our Studio's third annual Christmas Recital, "The Gift of Song.”  Our singers will present an incredible variety of music, from well-loved Christmas carols, to contemporary holiday hits  The recital will showcase each singer's vocal talents and musical developments.

 

Please join us for this wonderful event on Saturday December 9th, 7:00pm at New St. James Presbyterian Church in London!

 

If you are interested in joining our studio, please visit the Singing Lessons page and contact us with any inquiries.

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OCTOBER 19 | 2016

 

What a wonderful way to end the semester!  Our Studio will be presenting our second annual Christmas Recital, "The Gift of Song."

 

Performances will include well-loved Christmas carols and holiday hits, showcasing each singer's vocal talents and musical developments.

 

This concert will take place on Saturday November 26th, 7:00pm at New St. James Presbyterian Church in London, and is a free event!

 

If you are interested in joining our studio, please visit the Singing Lessons page and contact us with any inquiries.

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APRIL 30 | 2016

 

We are happy to be presenting our Studio's third annual "Spring Sing" Recital on April 30th. Our singers will have the opportunity to showcase all of their hard work and dedication with an entertaining evening of opera classics, musical theatre hits, folk songs and many more. Please join us at New St. James Presbyterian Church in London on Saturday April 30th, 7:30pm to support these gifted performers!

 

Our studio continues to grow and we are so grateful for the interest in lessons! If you know of any singers who are interested in lessons, please have them visit the Lessons page and contact us with any inquiries.

 

Have a great month!

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NOVEMBER 11 | 2015

 

Hello everyone!

 

We are thrilled to be presenting our Studio's first annual Christmas Recital, "The Gift of Song."

 

Our singers will have the opportunity to perform Christmas carols and holiday hits, showcasing their vocal accomplishments.  This joyous event will take place on Sunday November 29th, 3:00pm at New St. James Presbyterian Church in London, and is a free event!

 

Our studio continues to grow and we are so grateful for the interest in lessons! If you know of any beginner, intermediate or advanced singers who are interested in lessons, please have them visit the Singing Lessons page and contact me with any inquiries.

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APRIL 9 | 2014

 

After another wonderful semester of lessons, students of the Donnelly/Gassi Voice Studio are excited to be performing in the 2nd Annual "Spring Sing"Concert. This performance gives singers a platform to present their vocal advancements and musical accomplishments, and features an entertaining evening of opera classics and musical theatre hits.

 

Please join us at New St. James Presbyterian Church in London on Saturday April 26th, 7:30pm to support these talented performers!

 

The studio continues to grow, with the additional of our new male teacher Conlan Gassi sharing his teaching expertise. If you know of any beginner, intermediate or advanced singers who are interested in lessons, please have them visit the "Lessons" page and contact me with any inquiries.

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MARCH 22 | 2013

 

Hi everyone,

 

I wanted to send a big thank you to everyone who voted for me to perform the role of Donna Anna in Capital City Opera's May production of Don Giovanni.  With a margin of 40 online votes, I am thrilled to say I have been cast in the role!  Rehearsals start in lesson than 2 months, and I am so excited!  Please visit www.capitalcityopera.ca for further details.

 

Moreover, my Voice studio continues to grow here in London, and I am excited to announce our upcoming studio recital "Spring Sing" on April 27th.  If you know of any beginner, intermediate or advanced singers who are interested in lessons, please have them visit the "Lessons" page and contact me with any inquiries.

 

Have a great month!

 

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NOVEMBER 5 | 2012

 

Happy November!

 

As we gear up for the Holiday season, I wanted to share a couple upcoming projects with you!  Having recently received several inquiries to perform at Seasonal Events,  I've decided to create a new page on my website called "Hire a Performer."  This page outlines various events which I am available to perform at.  I will also be working in consultation with the event hosts/planners to hire other musicians and create the perfect Musical Program for their special occasions.

 

Moreover, I am currently expanding my Voice Studio here in London and am accepting three more new students.  If you know of any beginner, intermediate or advanced singers who are interested, please have them visit the "Lessons" page and contact me with any inquiries.

 

Thank you and all the best!

 

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AUGUST 26 | 2012

 

Hi everyone,

 

As the summer draws to a close, I thought I'd update you on my summer experiences and performances!  After an incredibly successful fundraising concert at St. John's Presbyterian, I flew to Edmonton, Alberta to perform the role of Echo in Strauss' masterpiece Ariadne Auf Naxos with Opera Nuova, as well as numerous concerts throughout my six weeks there.  Along with coaching the role with the incredible faculty at Nuova, I also had the pleasure to work with some of Canada's best trainers in Alexander Technique, Yoga, Dance and Movement.   Immediately following my time in Edmonton, I travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to sing the role of Micaela in Bizet's Carmen. This is a role I've been wanting to add to my resume for a very long time, and the experience in Halifax did not disappoint!  I can truly say that my time at this workshop was life-changing, and I was incredibly blessed to work with the talented faculty, cast and crew.

 

I want to extend a special thank you to all who supported my summer endeavors by attending the fundraising concert at St. John's, and through private sponsorship;  this sort of experience would not be possible without your incredible generosity.

 

Thank you!

 

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APRIL 14 | 2011

 

Hello everyone,

 

I hope you're having a great year so far!  It's been a few months since my last update, and I've just added a bunch of new pictures and video tracks from my recent performances, as well as info for my upcoming performances.

 

Having completed my final graduate recital at the University of Western Ontario last month, I'm happy to say I'm only a few weeks away from having my Masters of Music in Voice Performance.  I've had an incredible time at Western, and I'm excited about my upcoming commitments and performances.

 

In the past few months, I've had some great performance opportunites including scenes from Madama Butterfly with University of Western Ontario's Opera Gala, and another opportunity to perform the title role in Carlisle Floyd's masterpiece Susannah with Opera by Request.  I'm looking forward to June when I perform the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly with Martime Concert Opera.

 

I've been accepted into two Italian opera summer programs: The Centre for Opera Studies in Italy and Accademia Europea dell'Opera.  Both programs will include vocal lessons, coachings, performances, Italian language, art and cultural studies. To help pay for these programs, I'm performing a fundraising concert on April 29th entitled Una notte Italiana.  I will be joined by baritone Conlan Gassi, piainist Timothy Cheung, and guest performers in an evening of Italian classics.

 

All the best!

 

Natalie

 

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SEPTEMBER 18 | 2010

 

Hi everyone!

 

I hope you had a terrific summer!  It was a really busy one for me!  I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy for a second year, where I performed scenes from 7 operas including Suor Angelica, Un Ballo in Maschera, Norma and Eugene Onegin (my first experience with the Russian language!)  Along with the performances, I also had the opportunity to work with wonderful coaches from around the world.

 

I was home for a week before heading to Sulmona Italy to perform Violetta from Verdi's La Traviata,  with the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy program.  Being immersed in the Italian culture was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

After returning to Toronto for two days, I headed to Halifax Nova Scotia to sing the title role in Carlisle Floyd's masterpiece, Susannah.   It was a fantastic end to a terrific summer of intensive study and performance, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities!

 

In the fall, I will be returning to Western University to finish my Master's degree.  I am very much looking forward to it!

 

All the best and hope to see you all soon!

 

Natalie

 

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NOVEMBER 2 | 2009

 

Hi everyone,

 

I hope you're all well!

 

A lot has happened since my last update! I am now attending the University of Western Ontario's Masters of Music program. I was extremely fortunate to be accepted into this program on a full scholarship, and I am enjoying the program very much! In January 2010, I will perform the role of Donna Anna in UWO's production of Don Giovanni, in their new state-of-the-art theatre. Chris and I will also be performing a recital on March 13th here in London. Details to follow!

 

My summer performance of Madama Butterfly with Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society was very well received. Earlier this month, I was able to join my husband Chris for the last two shows of his Western Canadian tour. We performed two concerts of opera favourites for very appreciative and supportive audiences in Kamloops and Salmon Arm, BC. It was a great experience! Click here to read our reviews!

 

Natalie

 

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JUNE 10 | 2009

 

Hi everyone,

 

I hope you're having a great week!

 

I've just returned from London where I participated in the inaugural year of the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, performing scenes from La Boheme & Der Rosenkavalier. The intensive three-week program focused on scene preparation, coachings, stagings, character study, dance, movement, acting, and even stage-combat!

 

I was fortunate enough to sing in masterclasses for Steven Blier (NYC Festival of Song), Chantal Lambert (Aterlier Lyrique de L'Opera de Montreal), Timothy Vernon (Pacific Opera Victoria) and Simone Luti (Teatro della Scala). The performers were truly exceptional, and I was lucky and grateful to be involved in the program.

 

On another note, a special thank you to everyone who attended my concert on June 5th at St. John's Presybertieran Church. I'm happy to say that we raised almost $3000 for the Tanzania seed bank project! Stay tuned for music, videos and pictures.

 

My upcoming engagements include a Pocket Opera version of Madama Butterfly in Kitchener with the Voice a Fire Chamber Ensemble, as well as concerts in Barrie and Kamloops .

 

All the best!

Natalie

 

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FEBRUARY 12 | 2009

 

Hi everyone,

 

I hope you're all having a great week!

 

I'm excited to be back in Toronto having spent the last week in a Manhattan apprenticeship program called V.O.I.C.Experience with Sherrill Milnes. I had a great time, met many fantastic singers and coaches, and look forward to working with them in the future.

 

I'd also like to introduce you to my new website! Please visit often for music clips, photos, updates and upcoming performances. I have also uploaded my first videos to YouTube (www.youtube.com/nataliedonnellymusic) Hope you enjoy!

 

Stay tuned for more updates! All the best!

 

Natalie