Opera, creativity and the politics of inclusivity with Teiya Kasahara

Hosted by Trevor Pittman

Open to all UWindsor students, staff and faculty

Register here [link]

 

First-generation Nikkei-Canadian settler Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them) is a queer, gender non-binary, interdisciplinary performer-creator. Heralded as “a force of nature” (Toronto Star) and “an artist with extraordinary things to say” (The Globe and Mail) Teiya comes from a background of over a decade of singing both traditional and contemporary operatic roles across North America and Europe and explores the intersections of identity through opera, theatre, electronics, and taiko within their artistic practice.

 

In January 2020 Teiya Kasahara performed the lead role of Cio-Cio-san to thunderous ovations in the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s concert performances of Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

 

Teiya is a co-founder of Amplified Opera, a new initiative which is bringing Canada an “injection of [...] creativity & politics of inclusivity” (barczablog) to the opera sector. Upcoming engagements include ELECTRIC MESSIAH (Soundstreams), THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT (Confluence Concerts & Amplified Opera), and their disruptive and imaginative opera-theatre work THE QUEEN IN ME set to premiere following the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2021/2022 season. Teiya is the founder/head coach of the Vocal Dōjō, and makes their home in Tkarón:to (Toronto).

 

 

 

Teiya Kasahara performs the part of Cio-Cio San during Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s rehearsal of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at Capitol Theatre Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Behind, Maestro Robert Franz conducts. PHOTO BY NICK BRANCACCIO /Windsor Star