Stephanie DeCiantis

Master of Music in Literature and Performance from the University of Western Ontario Bachelor of Music (Voice Performance) from the University of Western Ontario For the past twelve years, Stephanie has been in training and training others how to sing and play piano. Although classical music is the focus of her career and her teaching, Stephanie has been delighted to coach and perform other styles of singing as well. Every lesson will begin with proper vocal technique, as Stephanie believes it is the cornerstone to any singer. Resonance, breath control, diction, drama, and ease on stage are all facets of a well-rounded performer and will be developed in every lesson. She can prepare her students for university auditions, competitions, Royal Conservatory exams, other music exams, performances for high school, or perhaps just to enjoy a beautiful art form. All of Stephanie’s lessons are tailored to the goals of the student and she helps create an atmosphere of learning and fun. In piano lessons, Stephanie covers all areas of musicianship – technique, application of historical knowledge to the style of a particular piece, proper hand shape and posture, and the true painting of a picture through expression. She can prepare students for all of the exams and competitions listed above, up until RCM Grade 7. Stephanie's Students have placed/won major competitions, such as Peel Festival, Merriam Festival, Ontario Provincial Music Competition, the International Music Festival and Competition, the Ontario Music Festival’s Provincial levels, and the Burlington Rotary Festival. As well, Stephanie's students have been accepted to major universities, including University of Toronto, Western University, and Laurier University. Stephanie DeCiantis is a ‘…top Canadian voice’ (Opera Canada) gaining attention for her "powerful" sound (Jake Evans, the Intelligencer) and "lush musical ebb and flow"(Opera Canada). Recent performances include at the Meermusik festival in Dusseldorf, Germany, as the Overseer in Powerhouse Opera's Elektra, as the Soprano Soloist in Shostakovich's Symphony No. 14 with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, and as Leonora in Opera Sustenda's production of Il trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi. This year, Stephanie was a semi-finals for the Vincerò World Singing Competition. Stephanie was a winner and laureate of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques with Thèâtre Lyrichorégra 20 and a semi-finalist for both the Elizabeth Connell prize for Dramatic Sopranos and the Francisco Araiza Sonora International Opera Competition. Also, she won the special Prize of Gabriela Beňačková’ from Opera Mladỳch at the11th International Vocal Competition of Gabriela Beňačková. She also sang for Sondra Radvanovsky in masterclass, through the IRCPA Joan Hall Scholarship. Performance highlights include Nedda from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (Southern Ontario Lyric Opera), Senta from Wagner’s Der Fliegende Höllander (Opera by Request), and Donna Elvira from Mozart's Don Giovanni (Brott Opera). Stephanie DeCiantis completed her Master’s degree at the University of Western Ontario; studying for a degree in Performance and Literature with mezzo-soprano Sophie Roland. “DeCiantis showcased her clear and precise tonality… exhibiting a beautifully-contrasted darker timbre for her more dramatic scenes. …DeCiantis sang with the lush musical ebb and flow that Leoncavallo’s score demands.” - Opera Canada “DeCiantis’ exquisite rendition of ‘O mio babbino caro’… made for [a] sweet lull in the action’ - Opera Canada “..the performance of Senta… was astounding. Stephanie DeCiantis’ powerful voice almost lifted the roof off the sanctuary..." - Jake Evans, The Intelligencer