With a voice that has been described as dark and unusually rich, Shannon Cole is establishing herself as a soprano of unique capabilities in both operatic and concert repertoire.

Shannon most recently appeared as a quartet soloist in Mendelssohn’s Elijah, conducted by Helmuth Rilling at the National Arts Centre. In April, she premiered John Armstrong’s Uncommon Prayers with the University of Ottawa Orchestra and Choirs, and in February she appeared as the Second Elf in the National Arts Centre and Monte Carlo Ballet production of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Le Songe). Other recent performances include the soprano solo in Schubert’s Mass in G, and the Alto in R. Murray Schafer’s The Princess of the Stars with the Patria Music Theatre Project. In 2007, Shannon appeared as the soprano soloist in Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, and performed the role of Blanche in Dialogues des Carmélites.

Ms. Cole recently finished her Masters in Musicology at the University of Ottawa, where she also completed her Bachelors degree. She was chosen as a finalist in the 2008 St. Andrews Aria Competition, and in the 2006 Elora Festival competition. This November Shannon is performing the role of Belinda in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and in March 2009 she is presenting a recital, “Songs of the Traveller,” as part of the Glebe St. James recital series in Ottawa.