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Versatile, dynamic soprano Lilac Caña is operatically trained, and has taken
the vocal art form to the outer limits. Her signature performances – whether
on the theatre or concert stage, television and radio – all sizzle with her
unique style and desire to communicate with audiences worldwide. Her innate
musicality embraces a wide range of vocal styles, from art songs in several
languages, opera arias, jazz, cabaret, gospel, Broadway, and contemporary
pop styles.She began classical voice training in Austria with the American Institute of Musical Studies, graduated with honors from the University of Toronto Opera Performance program, and studied at the Glenn Gould Professional School at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Ms. Caña has had the pleasure of learning from several top coaches, including Prof. Jean MacPhail and conductor Richard Bradshaw in Toronto, Warren Jones and Evelyn Mandac in New York City, and now continues to perform in Canada, the United States, and the Philippines.
With the Canadian Opera Company she appeared as Chorus member in several original productions (1997 to 2000), most notable in Der Fliegende Höllander (Wagner), Dialoques des Carmélites (Poulenc), and Oedipus Rex / Symphony of Psalms (Stravinsky).
Her operatic roles include Annina in La Traviata, and Frasquita in Carmen (Opera Mississauga); musical theatre roles include Valencienne in The Merry Widow and Tuptim in The King and I (CVS Productions). She created the role of Lai-Gwan in the world premiere of Iron Road, a new Canadian opera (Tapestry Music Theatre), which was first produced at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre in 2001.
As concert soloist, Ms. Caña has appeared with numerous orchestras and
choirs, in symphonic, chamber, oratorio, and new music works. She has sung
with the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, Orchestra da Camera Toronto,
Toronto Synfonietta, Kammermusik Toronto, Mississauga Symphony, the
Northumberland Orchestra, Counterpoint Community Orchestra, Sinfonia Sacra,
with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, and with the Philippine Ballet Theater at the Danny Kaye
Playhouse in New York City.She has served as cantor at several churches in Toronto (Rosedale Presbyterian Church, St. Peter’s Church, St. Isaac Jogues), and has appeared on CTV in televised Masses, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Toronto. She had the distinct honor of singing for Pope John Paul II during World Youth Day 2002, as a featured soloist with the World Youth Day Choir, in several performances, and continues to lead in concerts with the Sacred Music Society and the WYD Choir.
With the founding of her own recording label and production company, LilacSounds, Ms. Caña has released three compact disc albums of songs and arias: ENCANTADA (1998); LABING DALAWA (1999) – featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Raul Sunico; and EXULTATE (2001). With LilacSounds, she has given concerts and created various multi-media arts events, which have benefited several charities in Canada and the Philippines. Her company also helps promote local artists, in various performance productions, using current Audio-Visual and P.A. equipment.
An active member of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, ACTRA, and
SOCAN, Ms. Caña enjoys being involved in creative projects with artists in
several media. After a productive exploration period while living in New
York City, she now continues to work with contemporary Canadian musicians,
most notably with the Ardeleana Trio, and currently enjoys teaching music to
children of all ages in the Greater Toronto Area.Recent performances and projects include a guest appearance in concert with international singing star Pilita Corrales (July 2003); a concert and teaching tour throughout the Philippines (August 2003); a new recording of original songs by Canadian composer Brenda Muller, Wolf at My Door; a breathtaking tour of the cathedrals of Europe (Portugal, Spain, France and Italy), where Lilac had the pleasure of singing; a cabaret concert with Austrian piano Duo Kutrowatz; creating the role of “Spirit of Love” in the premiere performance (February 2004) of Harvest Sky, a new opera with ballet, by Douglas J. Rice; and a fundraising concert for St. Joseph the Worker church in Oshawa with contemporary Christian guitarist/composer Fred Cacciotti.
Watch for her this autumn in downtown Toronto, as she appears in a cabaret musical evening at Hazelton Lanes, Yorkville, beginning Saturday, October 9th. As well, Ms. Caña is a finalist for this year’s Mississauga Arts Award in the Music category. On October 20th, 2004, join her and all arts awardees in celebration at the Living Arts Centre Gala presentation.
