Hometown: Middlemarch, Ontario

Hillary Tufford is a versatile and engaging performer, noted for her “rich and velvety tone,” (Opera Canada). A 2017 graduate of Western University (MMus), Hillary was invited to join the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program at Vancouver Opera, where she made her debut as Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana and “almost stole the show,” (Vancouver Sun). At Vancouver Opera she performed Hebe in HMS Pinafore, Berthe in Blond Eckbert, Jean in Le portrait de Manon, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has also appeared in productions at Tapestry Opera, Brott Opera, and Highlands Opera.  

Hillary also has a deep love for concert repertoire. She has made appearances with The Kingston Symphony Orchestra, The VanBach Choir, The Victoria Philharmonic Choir, and Magisterra Soloists. This season Hillary made her debut with the Elmer Eiseler Singers, performing the alto solo in Handel’s Messiah, she will also make her Toronto City Opera debut in the title role of Bizet’s Carmen this June.  

Hillary won grants from the Canadian Arts Council, Les Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques, The Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation, and the Hazel Crydermann-Wees Foundation. Hillary is a 2022 district winner at The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.  She was a finalist in IRCPA’s “Ten Singing Stars,” competition, as well as The Mozart Project Competition, and she was a Semifinalist in Les Nuits Lyriques Concours International de Chant de Marmande.