Alyssa Bartholomew
Alyssa Bartholomew is a versatile soprano currently based in Toronto, ON. With a strong background in musical theatre, popular music, and classical music, she is an artist making waves across multiple genres. She recently joined The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory in its prestigious Artist Diploma Program, where she studies under Stephanie Bogle and David Eliakis.
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The 2025 season brings exciting performances and notable debuts for Alyssa. She recently made her Toronto Operetta Theatre debut as Casilda in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers and covered the role of Königin der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte at The Glenn Gould School. She is currently preparing for her first-year Artist Diploma recital on May 11 at 5:30 PM in Mazzoleni Hall, which features a diverse program with a large focus on 21st-century Canadian composers. Her 2024 season was equally eventful: she made her conservatory debut as Le Feu and Le Rossignol in Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges and participated in a masterclass with renowned Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan.
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Alyssa earned her Bachelor of Music from Western University, studying under Dr. Margie Bernal. During her time there, she performed the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel under the baton of Simone Luti and took on partial role studies of Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro and Madame Cortese in Il Viaggio a Reims. Other notable roles in her repertoire include Flora in The Turn of the Screw (Grand River Opera) and Sister Constance in Dialogues of the Carmelites (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre).
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In 2023, Alyssa made her concert debut as the soprano soloist in G.F. Handel’s Messiah with the Stratford Concert Choir. She frequently performs oratorio and sacred music as the soprano section lead and soloist at Glenview Presbyterian Church.
Earlier accolades include second prize at the NATS Great Lakes Region Competition and first prize, as well as the Most Promising Undergraduate award, at the Ontario level of NATS. In 2019, she was recognized by the City of Barrie at the Barrie Arts Awards and received the Most Promising Youth award for her contributions to the local arts scene and her potential for a successful career. That same year, she was generously supported by The Art Song Foundation, which helped fund her participation in Songfest in San Francisco, where she worked with esteemed artists such as Libby Larsen, Martin Katz, and Javier Arrebola to name a few. She has also trained at acclaimed programs such as the Canadian Opera Company’s Summer Opera Intensive, COSA Canada’s Professional Development Program, and Stratford Summer Music’s Vocal Academy.
"Alyssa Bartholomew is a bright voiced and expressive soprano
who brings charm to her role as Casilda."
- Denise Lai, Ludwigvan Toronto
"...A strong acting and vocal presence"
- Dawn Martens, Opera Canada
Beyond opera, Alyssa is an avid singer-songwriter who regularly performs at markets, private events, and local venues across Ontario, showcasing her original music. In 2020, she remotely recorded and released her first single, Hold On, along with a music video during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selected theatre credits include two premieres with Theatre by the Bay playing Tracy in The Ghost Watchers and Harvey Irwin in The Cenotaph Project.
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​A passionate advocate for safe and inclusive spaces in the arts, Alyssa was part of STOMPBOX, a queer, women-led music and arts collective in London, ON. The collective organizes community events, collaborates with other local organizations, and supports emerging artists, all with the goal of fostering a vibrant, inclusive arts scene.
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Outside of music, she enjoys running, crocheting, knitting, and supporting small, vintage, and local second-hand shops.