About Camille
Performer
Researcher
Researcher
A dynamic interpreter of opera, concert works, and musical theatre, specializing in historically informed performance
(Above: photo by Richard Lu)
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Investigating how problematic historical works of music theatre can be transformed and made relevant through the bodies of modern queer performers
Educator
Researcher
Educator
Committed to offering an accepting and exploratory space for students and musicians of all levels to develop holistically
(Above: photo by Kinsey Holt)
Biography
As a performer, Camille Rogers (they/them) has been praised for their “tremendous stage presence” and “real flair for comedy” (Operaramblings). Camille’s “gossamer mezzo-soprano” (Mooney on Theatre) has been described as “even-keeled and grounded even in times of intense physicality” (Schmopera). Camille has also been recognized for their work as Co-Artistic Director of Toronto’s queer opera collective OperaQ, and has been invited to speak at related events hosted by Amplified Opera, the University of Toronto, and VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto.
Camille currently studies at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts with a Collaborative Specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies. Their research, supported by the prestigious Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship, investigates how problematic historical works of music theatre can be transformed and made relevant to today’s audiences through the bodies of modern queer performers. As part of their studies, Camille is currently developing a narrative recital portraying the extraordinary life story of gender-non-conforming opera singer and duellist Julie d’Aubigny (1670-1707). With OperaQ, Camille is in the process of producing a queer chamber opera with a libretto by award-winning Canadian poet Charlie Petch.
An active performer in many styles of opera, Camille most recently appeared as Suli/Suzie in Buddies in Bad Times’s world premiere of Pomegranate, and as Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas with OperaQ. Other past engagements include the role of Lake in FAWN's collectively improvised techno opera Belladonna, Young Girl in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Atelier, and the title role of L’Italiana in Algeri with MYOpera. Camille has also been featured as a soloist with the Toronto Bach Festival and Cor Unum Ensemble, and has presented solo recitals with Centric MusicFest and Lethbridge Pride Fest.
Select Performance Credits
Solo Recital "Category Is: 'Femme' Realness" - University of Toronto (2020)
Voice (Music for 18 Musicians- S. Reich) - U of T Percussion Ensemble (2020)
Music Director: Aiyun Huang
Solo Recital "I'm Not That Girl" - Lethbridge Pride Fest (2019)
Suli/Suzie (Pomegranate- K. Marshall) - Buddies in Bad Times (2019)
Director: Michael Mori
Music Director: Jennifer Tung
Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas- H. Purcell) - OperaQ (2019)
Director: Madison Angus
Solo Recital "She Shines on the Earth" - Centric MusicFest (2018)
Artistic Director: Ryan Kolodziej
Lake (Belladonna) - FAWN Chamber Creative (2018)
Director: Amanda Smith
Alto (Stabat Mater- G.-B. Pergolesi) - Cor Unum Ensemble (2018)
Artistic Director: Ruth Denton
Young Girl (The Marriage of Figaro- W. A. Mozart) - Opera Atelier (2017)
Director: Marshall Pynkoski
Music Director: David Fallis
Isabella (L'Italiana in Algeri- G. Rossini) - MYOpera (2017)
Director: Anna Theodosakis
Music Director: Natasha Fransblow
Alto (St. Mark Passion- J. S. Bach) Toronto Bach Festival (2017)
Music Director: John Abberger
Tirinto (Imeneo- G. F. Handel) U of T Opera (2017)
Director: Tim Albery
Music Director: Dan Taylor
Alto (Gloria- A. Vivaldi) Schola Cantorum (2016)
Music Director: Paul McCreesh
"Gender in Opera." Opera InReach. December 18, 2020.
"Take the Note." Amplified Opera. December 11, 2020.
"Listening for a Queer Utopia: Unexpected Pleasures in Baroque Castrato Roles." Whatever: A transdisciplinary journal of queer theories and studies 2, no. 1 (2019).
Public Presentations
“#ThusDoAllWomen: Comedy, Sentimentality, Ambiguity,
and a Così fan tutte for the #MeToo Era” Panel Presentation (2020)
U of T Graduate Music Conference
“Trans Voices” Pedagogy Lecture (2020)
VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto
Post-Performance Panel (The Queen in Me) (2019)
Amplified Opera
"Queer Artist Experiences in Opera" Panel Presentation (2019)
Multidisciplinary Creative Conference
"L'Eraclito Amoroso" Lecture and Performance (2018)
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Baroque Dance Workshop (2018)
Lethbridge Registered Music Teachers' Association
Education, Awards & Scholarships
Doctor of Musical Arts - University of Toronto (2019-present)
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (2019)
Master of Arts, Musicology - University of Toronto (2019)
Jack Hallam Award of Excellence (2018)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2018)
Master of Music, Music Performance (Opera) - University of Toronto (2017)
SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Masters (2016)
Janet Stubbs Graduate Fellowship in Opera (2015)
Alberta Heritage Fund Arts Graduate Scholarship (2015)
Bachelor of Music with Great Distinction - University of Lethbridge (2015)
University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts Gold Medal (2015)
Current Positions
Co-Artistic Director - OperaQ
Teaching Assistant - University of Toronto
Mentor - Opera InReach
Private Instructor - Voice & Music Theory
Past Positions
Gender Diversity Consultant - Opera Laurier (2019)
Research Assistant - University of Toronto (2018-2019)
Opera Division Assistant - U of T Opera (2016-2017)
Music Director - Lethbridge Shakespeare in the Park (2015)
Senior Student Instructor - University of Lethbridge Conservatory (2014-2015)
Programming Intern - Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra (2013-2015)