Feature image caption: Emma Pennell (left) presented with the RBC Emerging Artist Award by Devinder Gill, RBC Regional President Ontario North and East (right), at the 2025 Governor General Performing Arts Awards Show in Ottawa on June 14th.

Emma Pennell, a rising opera soprano from South River, Ontario, and proud two-spirit Indigenous artist, has been named the 2025 recipient of the RBC Emerging Artist Award. Presented in collaboration with one of RBC’s community investment partners, the National Arts Centre, Emma was honoured at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Show in Ottawa on June 14th, alongside some of Canada’s most celebrated artists.

Emma’s story is as inspiring as it is unique. Raised in the remote Northern Ontario town, they discovered opera not in a concert hall, but through a battery-powered radio in their family’s rural home. It wasn’t until they enrolled at Cambrian College’s music program in Sudbury that they saw a live opera performance for the first time. It was a moment that changed their life.

“I showed up thinking someone’s going to hand me a guitar and we’re going to do some four-chord song jams,” said Pennell. “But no. They do a student showcase, and my now-dear friend gets up and sings an opera aria. I’d never heard someone sing like that and it blew me away. You can’t hide in the opera, you take up space which deeply resonated with me. That day, it was like a lightbulb went off. I had no idea how I got here or how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to try and I’ve been trying ever since.”

Emma Pennell sitting on a chair with arms crossed.

Photo Caption: Emma Pennell first discovered the opera through a battery-powered radio in their family’s rural home. It wasn’t until they enrolled at Cambrian College’s music program in Sudbury that they saw a live opera performance for the first time.

While at Cambrian College, they began their formal vocal training and quickly stood out for their talent and passion. That foundation propelled them to Western University, where they completed their undergraduate studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies and began actively advocating for better representation in the arts. After graduating from Western, Emma went on to study at The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music, where they recently completed their second year of the Artist Diploma Program.

Emma began booking higher-profile performances during their time at the Royal Conservatory, including a recent feature performance with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. They are currently preparing for the role of Ofglen in The Handmaid’s Tale opera at the Banff Centre, as well as for their upcoming work with the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio in August.

Pennell was chosen as the recipient of the RBC Emerging Artist Award by a committee of artistic leaders at the National Arts Centre who have a pulse on rising Canadian talent. The award is based on merit and impact on the community.  Daphne Burt, Senior Manager of Artistic Planning for the NAC Orchestra, nominated Emma.

“This is a star on the rise,” said Burt. “Despite their relatively young age, they have already demonstrated an ability to sing a wide variety of repertoire. A singer’s instrument takes decades to mature so for them to already have this range suggests a very exciting trajectory.”

Emma Pennell holding a puppet and performing on stage.

Photo Caption: Pennell was chosen as the recipient of the RBC Emerging Artist Award by a committee of artistic leaders at the National Arts Centre. The Award came with a $25,000 prize towards their career.

The RBC Emerging Artist Award comes with a $25,000 prize, which will help boost Pennell’s career.

“Not many people who come from places that I come from have these opportunities and so I owe it to all the Indigenous people that I’ve met along the way,” said Pennell. “Our voices, our art, our performances and our bodies belong on these stages just like everybody else. I actually have no idea how the National Arts Centre found me, but they did and it’s just amazing.”

The award will go to support their career, and according to Emma, also amplify other Indigenous voices in the opera.

“This RBC Emerging Artist Award will have a transformative impact on my career,” said Pennell. “This will help fund audition travel, vocal coaching, help refining my craft, and other essential professional development as I transition from a young artist into a full-time professional. It will also support the creation of future projects that centre Indigenous narratives in opera, ensuring that my work remains rooted in community as it grows in scale and ambition.”

RBC’s Emerging Artist Award is now in its third year of helping talented performing artists strive to reach their potential. It’s one of the ways RBC is supporting Ideas for People and PlanetTM and delivering on their ambition to equip people with the skills for a thriving future – by supporting creatives as they develop their crafts and careers.

“At RBC, we know the creative community makes meaningful and important contributions to our communities and our economy – it’s why we are proud to support this award year after year, shared Andrea Barrack, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Impact, RBC. “Congratulations to operatic soprano Emma Pennell, the recipient of the 2025 RBC Emerging Artist Award. Emma is a trailblazer whose work as an Indigenous activist champions Indigenous musicians and inspires us all. Thank you for your contributions to the arts and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition – we look forward to seeing how you will continue to use your remarkable gifts.”

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subject matter discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.