Vikki’s CCOC story began serendipitously—with a conversation on a bus from Hamilton to Toronto. Her mother, seeking a choir for her young daughter, got chatting with a woman involved in music at the University of Toronto, who recommended the then-nascent Canadian Children’s Opera Company. Soon after the family’s move to Toronto, Vikki auditioned and was selected as one of only two new singers that year. At the time, the choir—under the direction of Lloyd Bradshaw and manager Cathy Brown—had just 32 members.
Between 1970 and 1974, Vikki sang under Bradshaw and Donald Kendrick. She recalls sharing the role of Snowflake in The Selfish Giant at the St. Lawrence Centre as a highlight. Her favourite COC production, La Bohème, remains her favourite opera to this day. Other memories include performing at the opening of Ontario Place and singing a rousing rendition of “Oh Happy Day” with the legendary Salome Bey at Massey Hall.
Vikki went on to earn a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from OISE, leading to a career as a music teacher with the Toronto District School Board. “The calibre of music training and the exceptional opportunities that are given in the CCOC have had a profound influence on me and my family,” she says. “Participation does require a high level of commitment from both singers and parents but the results are well worth the effort. Working with professional singers in COC productions offers the CCOC experience that cannot be found anywhere else.”
The next generation
Jessica performed as Alice in A Dickens of a Christmas and as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. The former offered her the full theatrical experience—solo roles, choreography, and stagecraft—while the latter challenged her to learn the full role of Gretel in a short period, ultimately building her confidence as a performer.
Jessica has since built a successful career as a professional musician under the name Tilsen, amassing over 20 million streams on Spotify. Her talents extend to songwriting for other artists and television shows including Virgin River, Magnum P.I., and CBC’s Tokyo Winter Olympics coverage. She also owns and operates White Roses Entertainment, offering live music and DJ services for weddings and corporate events, and teaches early childhood music education through Musikgarten.
Jessica’s brother, Gordon Nesbitt, sang with the CCOC from 2008 to 2012, under the direction of Ann Cooper Gay and manager Ken Hall. His standout moments include playing Tiny Tim in A Dickens of a Christmas and portraying one of the three spirits in a Toronto Symphony concert version of The Magic Flute at Roy Thomson Hall. His favourite COC Opera, at the Four Seasons Centre, was A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A 2011 European tour, which included a second-place finish at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, remains a treasured memory.
Today, Gordon works behind the scenes in the performing arts. A graduate of the Etobicoke School of the Arts and Humber College, he is now Head Scenic Carpenter at Young People’s Theatre in Toronto and a stagehand with IATSE Local 58. “The CCOC gave me the first taste of what the theatre industry is and sparked my lifelong love of theatre,” he says.
For this family, the CCOC has been more than just a place to sing—it has provided a foundation for artistic growth, lifelong friendships, and professional careers in the arts. From auditions to mainstage roles and international tours, their story speaks to the transformative power of music and the deep, lasting impact of the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. We’re grateful to Vikki, Jessica, and Gordon, for sharing their experiences, which will no doubt resonate with many current and past members of this incredible community.
If you have alumni memories to share, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch at alumni@canadianchildrensopera.com.