MESSIAH 2018 SOLOISTS: GENA VAN OOSTEN, MEZZO SOPRANO
Mezzo-soprano Gena van Oosten was recently named a winner of the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Western Canada District, and is known for her vocal sensitivity, warmth and musicality. Currently a member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program with Vancouver Opera, she can be heard in their upcoming production of La Cenerentola as Thisbe.
Gena holds a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto, where she was the 2018 Concerto Competition winner.
She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance, with a minor in psychology, from McGill University.
Some of her past roles include Eduige in Rodelinda with Opera in Concert, the Witch in Dido and Aeneas with Theatre of Early Music, and the title roles in Rinaldo and Giulio Cesare with Opera McGill.
Gena has also been a concert soloist with Theatre of Early Music, the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Operetta Theatre, and has extensive choral experience with La Chapelle de Québec.
When not singing, Gena enjoys baking everything from cookies to cakes, running, and spending time with her family.