_{Artist of the Week} 17 Qs for Caitlin Wood

What/who inspired you to sing?
When I was a child, I always loved music and singing. Luckily, my parents noticed and wanted to support this. They bought the Classical Kids “Mozart’s Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through ‘The Magic Flute’” CD, and I listened to it nonstop! I was completely taken by how their voices could convey so many emotions, and I knew I wanted to do that too! The rest was history! Bonus fact: Russell Braun sang Papageno on that CD. When I met him years later during my time at UofT, I was completely star-struck, and I blushed so much my face was the shade of a tomato.

Top 3 favourite operas
Le nozze di Figaro, La fille du régiment, Falstaff.

Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Marie in La fille du régiment! I adore this role, the score, and the hilarious story. To have the opportunity to sing her glorious music and finesse the comedic timing needed to pull this role off, would be a dream come true. 

Who is a singer you admire that is currently working?
Erin Morley. Her vocal technique is flawless, her commitment to character and story telling is always present, and I adore her gorgeous, ever spinning, and effortless vocal quality. 

What’s something most people don’t know about opera life?
It can be quite lonely. We spend many weeks away from our homes and loved ones while we are on contract. It is a strange thing to uproot yourself for such a large time, but we are lucky to live in the time of cell phones and video calls. 

Tent or hotel?
Tent! I grew up going camping and hiking with my family in the Rocky Mountains. Now, my husband and I try to get out to Algonquin at least once a summer. Nothing beats sipping coffee over a fire and having beautiful nature surround you. 

Where did you go to school?
I completed my undergraduate degree from University of Manitoba studying with Valdine Anderson, my master’s degree from University of Toronto studying with Mary Morrison, and then spent a year at Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program. I’m really grateful to all those who generously mentored me during this time, and I would highly recommend all of these programs for a young singer.

What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
Meeting, getting to know, and becoming lifelong friends with the wonderful people that work in this industry. I have dear friends that I met as a young artist that are still important people in my life. Luckily, because we travel a lot, this means we get to see each other quite a bit too! I recently was a part of Sound the Alarm’s “Music of the Night Tour” and became fast friends with everyone involved. I feel quite lucky to work in an industry, where my colleagues are often also friends. 

What book are you reading at the moment?
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.

Which TV show did you binge-watch last?
Don’t judge me….”Is it Cake? Holiday Edition”.

Are you superstitious? If yes, can you share what it’s about?
Slightly. My dear friend and a fabulous mezzo-soprano, Stephanie Tritchew, gave me a beautiful bracelet many years ago. It has been my “good luck charm” ever since.

Who has been inspiring you lately?
Rachel Fenlon. She is an incredibly gifted artist who is forging her own path in this industry. Talk about talent, who else can sing and accompany herself on Schubert’s Winterreise!?

The music industry is tough, and filled with rejection. How do you cope? Does it get easier?
There are a few things that help me with this hard part of the industry: 1. Knowing that what is meant to come to you will come, and every “no” leaves space for another “yes” that is just around the corner. 2. Remembering that singing and performing is an act of service.

Were there any directors in the past that have really inspired you?
Michael Cavanagh was such a source of inspiration and generous knowledge-sharing for a whole generation of young performers. I was lucky enough to work with him at Opera NUOVA, and I credit him for teaching me stage craft and how to be curious about how to best tell stories on the stage. He made a deep lasting impact on me, as I know he did for many other singers. 

Which of your roles has had the greatest impact on your perspective?
Ava in the opera Missing by Marie Clements and Brian Current. The opera follows two girls, one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous, as they are impacted by the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls crisis along the Highway of Tears. Working with incredible colleagues like Marion Newman, Melody Courage and Timothy Long and performing the opera for families directly affected by the crisis has given me deeper understanding of how performance can amplify a message and be the impetus for beginning of hard discussions. 

What is happiness for you?
Happiness is being surrounded by my family and friends, knowing they are happy, safe and healthy.

What does success look like to you?
Being the best I can within my abilities and always striving to learn more.