Recently named one of CBC's “30 hot classical musicians under 30”, mezzo-soprano Alex Hetherington is quickly establishing herself as a skilled interpreter of operatic and concert repertoire, with a specialty in contemporary music.  She is in her second year of residency at the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio and has performed on major stages across Canada.

Recent operatic highlights include making her Canadian Opera Company debut as Mercédès in Carmen, as well as singing the role of Attendant in the COC’s production of Salome, and premiering the role of [Riley] in R.U.R. A Torrent of Light with Tapestry Opera, for which she won a 2022 Dora Mavor Moore Award for outstanding ensemble performance.  Other operatic credits include Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Carmen in La tragédie de Carmen (U of T Opera), Nicklausse in Tales of Hoffmann (Toronto City Opera), Juno in Semele (Toronto Lyric Opera), and one quarter of the House in Tapestry Opera’s cast recording of Rocking Horse Winner, which made its premiere on CBC Music’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera.

Equally at home on the concert stage, Alex’s recent concert performances include Mozart Requiem, Golden Slumbers Kiss Your Eyes, and being a featured performer in the Focus: Clara, Robert, Johannes Festival (National Arts Centre Orchestra), Songs from the House of Death (Victoria Symphony), and Neruda Songs (UTSO). She   

Alex holds a Master’s in Opera Performance from the University of Toronto, where she won the Jim and Charlotte Norcop Award in Art Song, as well as the UTSO Concert Competition. In the course of her studies, she completed a research-creation project examining art song performance practice through the lens of modern gender theory. She has a passion for contemporary music, composition, and innovative recital programming.  In her spare time, Alex can be found reading, gardening, and doting on dogs (primarily, but not exclusively, her family’s sweet pup, Max).