Praised for her supple and lustrous voice, Eugenia Dermentzis has been hailed as “[…] a mezzo-soprano to watch, clear of voice with a hearty sound in development.” (Opera Canada) She began her training in the performing arts at a young age as a dancer, and since then has developed a great affection for the stage. Her passion for the arts manifests itself in her career, not only as a performer, but also as a music educator. Having graduated with a Masters of Music in Voice Literature and Performance at the University of Western Ontario, Eugenia has since been performing in and around Toronto, across Canada, and in Europe.
Eugenia trained as a Britten-Pears young artist in the French Grand Opera and Mélodie Masterclass Programme. In this programme she had the honour of studying with Natalie Dessay, Laurent Naouri, and Roger Vignoles. Most recently, she sang the role of Queen in FETE GALANTE with Opera Five, and Madame Defarge in the World premier of Victor Davie’s A TALE OF TWO CITIES. Her current roles include Orfeo in Gluck’s ORFEO ED EURIDICE, and Augusta Tabor in THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE with Opera by Request, Penelope in IL RITORNO D’ULISSE with Accademia Europea de L’Opera, and the title role in CARMEN with Halifax Summer Opera Workshop.
Apart from her experience in opera, Eugenia enjoys and regularly performs in operettas. She was most recently seen performing the role of Aurelia in THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER, and Edith in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE with Toronto Operetta Theatre. Eugenia was thrilled to be invited to sing the role of Elizabeth Simcoe in the Canadian premier of John Beckwith’s TAPTOO, and role of Mariana in the zarzuela LUISA FERNANDA to high acclaim. She has been a featured soloist in Toronto Operetta Theatre’s “Gilbert and Sullivan Extravaganza,” and “Vienna Gold Gala,” and sang the role of Enrichetta di Francia in I PURITANI for Opera in Concert. Other roles and performance experience include: Carmen in CARMEN (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre), Sorceress in Opera on the Avalon’s production of DIDO AND AENEAS, Carmen (cover) in CARMEN (Pellegrini Opera), Lapàk in THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN (Banff Opera as Theatre), Dritte Dame in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE (Opera Nuova), Alto Soloist for Vivaldi’s GLORIA (Orchestra London), La Zia Principessa in SUOR ANGELICA (UW Opera), and Nicklausse in THE TALES OF HOFFMANN (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre).
In 2012, Eugenia was chosen as a “Jeune Ambassadeur Lyrique,” and went on to represent Canada at the 24e Concours International de Chant de Marmande in which she became a finalist. During her Master’s at UWO, Ms. Dermentzis received the London Opera Guild Scholarship, and was a finalist in the London Music Scholarship Fund competition. She is also a winner and finalist of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions.
