Biographie

Praised for “an immense sweetness and precision which seemed to be flawless” (L’Opéra) and an “amazing versatility” (Opera Ramblings), Jennifer Szeto carves a dynamic path as a performer, producer, and administrator. She is a graduate of San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellowship, Merola Opera Program, Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, and L’Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. A sought-after collaborator for contemporary creations, Jennifer is Founding Artistic Director of Musique 3 Femmes, which commissions and develops operas by emerging female composers and librettists with a biennial $50,000 award - the Mécénat Musica Prix 3 Femmes. Highlights include INCONNU for UfaFabrik (Berlin); TRIPTYQUE in collaboration with La société de musique contemporaine du Québec; and Laurence Jobidon’s L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi for Opéra de Montreal, described described by the Montreal Theatre Hub as “exactly what opera needs.. bold, contemporary, poetic, political, feminist, theatrical, well-executed, and not afraid of traditionalists…” In 2023, Jennifer leads the world premiere of L’Écoute du perdu by Keiko Devaux in co-production with Paramirabo and Le Vivier, with stage direction by Marie Brassard. For Opéra de Montréal, she serves as music staff for the Canadian premiere of Golijov’s Ainadamar. 

A passionate administrator, Jennifer worked with Tapestry Opera to develop a new Canadian Opera Resource database (COR), as well as the Women in Musical Leadership Program, a fellowship for female and non-binary conductors in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Opera Victoria. A noted panelist for conversations around creation, young artist training, and entrepreneurship, Jennifer is on the musical staff of Opera McGill and a faculty member at Sewanee Music Centre’s OperaFest. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Association for Opera in Canada. Jennifer holds degrees from McGill University and University of Toronto.