{"id":123758,"date":"2026-05-05T09:05:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=123758"},"modified":"2026-04-30T21:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T01:05:29","slug":"interview-canadian-soprano-alexa-frankian-builds-career-international-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/05\/05\/interview-canadian-soprano-alexa-frankian-builds-career-international-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Canadian Soprano Alexa Frankian Builds A Career On The International Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Canadian
Canadian soprano Alexa Frankian (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alexa Frankian, a Canadian soprano based in Oakville, is making her mark in the world of opera.<\/p>\n

Alexa trained at the University of Toronto (BMus) and the Glenn Gould School (Artist Diploma), where she was the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships. She was a Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia, where she sang multiple roles.<\/p>\n

Alexa performed in the North American premiere of the Yiddish opera Bas Sheve, and the Dora-nominated world premiere of Alice Ho\u2019s The Monkiest King.<\/p>\n

She went on to be accepted into the Merola Opera Program<\/a> in San Francisco in 2024 and again in 2025.<\/p>\n

There, she performed the role of Mim\u00ec in Puccini\u2019s La Boh\u00e8me, as well as the title role of Tchaikovsky\u2019s Iolanta. During her second Merola season in 2025, she sang excerpts as the title role from Puccini\u2019s Suor Angelica, Alice Ford from Verdi\u2019s Falstaff and Fidelia from Puccini\u2019s Edgar.<\/p>\n

This year, 2026, is another year of growth and recognition for the young artist. Alexa was named the 2026 recipient of the Igor Gorin Memorial Award, given to young artists to help build their professional careers. She has also joined the renowned Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera.<\/p>\n

Through April, she has been performing the role of Mim\u00ec in SFO\u2019s production of Boh\u00e8me Out of the Box<\/a>, a travelling performance of the opera.<\/p>\n

LV caught up with Alexa Frankian to talk about her career and more.<\/p>\n

\"Canadian
Canadian soprano Alexa Frankian (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alexa Frankian: The Interview<\/h2>\n

Did she always know she wanted to be an opera singer?<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually knew very early in life,\u201d she says. \u201cI was about 14 years old when I saw my first opera. I remember turning to my mom and saying \u2014 that’s what I want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says her Mom called the Canadian Opera Company<\/strong> for advice right away, and whoever she spoke with recommended beginning with the Canadian Children’s Opera Company<\/strong> (CCOC).<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom that time, everything aligned around that goal,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

She loved her time with the CCOC, and the opportunity it gave her to sing with people her own age throughout high school. \u201cI really felt like that gave me a really amazing opportunity,\u201d she says. \u201cFrom a young age, I was already going on to these big stages.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CCOC, she notes, often performs in Canadian Opera Company productions, as well as occasionally with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. It\u2019s valuable stage experience for young singers, often performing in front of hundreds and even thousands of people.<\/p>\n

She credits her time at CCOC for teaching her a great deal about not only musical skills, but discipline and stage craft \u2014 and more. \u201cHaving friends as a young teenager who were interested in opera.\u201d<\/p>\n

She attended Hitherfield School in Milton, where there was a robust theatre program. \u201cI would always be in the plays,\u201d she recalls. The school\u2019s young artists were supported by teachers, and often got involved in competitions. \u201cI was always in voice lessons,\u201d she says. \u201cI even used to sing to my teddy bears as a kid,\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n

After high school came formal studies at the University of Toronto, then an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory. \u201cI just feel like I\u2019m really grateful for each stage,\u201d she says. \u201cThen to the Merola Program.\u201d In between summers at Merola, she studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

The post-graduate programs help in transitioning to mainstage work as an opera singer, and building a career as a young professional, a working singer. The opportunity is crucial to a singer\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be able to really focus and hone my skills,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

She describes it as holistic training. \u201cWe as people are our own instrument, and to be able to focus on our art,\u201d she says. It\u2019s also about learning to take in the ups and downs of a singer\u2019s life. \u201cSome days, if things are off, it’s not the end of the world.\u201d Emotional support, and being able to cope with everyday issues along with building the trajectory of a long term career is important.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s an incredible environment,\u201d she says, \u201cto grow as an artist while working in a major opera house. They help you to continue to refine repertoire,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels like this bridge between training and a long term career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexa Frankian sings \u201cIn uomini, in Soldati\u201d from Cosi\u0300 fan tutte:<\/p>\n