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discipline = "Mezzo-soprano"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1677439474/media/2023/02/Hillary_Tufford_yorkqs.jpg"
primary_image_credit = ""
related_companies = ["scene/companies/highlands-opera-studio.md", "scene/companies/vancouver-opera.md", "scene/companies/tapestry-opera.md"]
slug = "hillary-tufford"
title = "Hillary Tufford"
website = "https://www.hillarytufford.com/"
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url = "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085570975572"
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platform = "Instagram"
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url = "https://www.instagram.com/hillarytufford/"

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Mezzo-soprano, Hillary Tufford is a versatile and engaging performer, noted for her “rich, velvety tone,”(Dawn Martens, _Opera Canada_). During the 21/22 season Hillary performed at Highlands Opera in the role of Olga in _Eugene Onegin_, and at Vancouver Opera as Lola in _Cavalleria rusticana_, Hebe in _HMS Pinafore_, and Berthe in Judith Weir’s _Blond Eckbert_. She also sang Rossini’s _Petite messe solennelle_ with both the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, as well as The Vancouver Bach Choir. This season Hillary looks forward to debuting Hermia in _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_ and Jean in _Le portrait de Manon_ at Vancouver Opera. She will also sing Handel’s _Messiah_ with ChoralWorks, Collingwood and ProMusica, London as well as Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with Kingston Symphony Orchestra. 

Other role highlights include, Ramiro (_La finta giardiniera_), 2nd Witch (_Dido and Aeneas_), Clara (_The Light in the Piazza_), Cinderella’s Mother (_Into the Woods_) and Nadia in Tapestry Opera’s world premiere performance of Aaron Gervais’ _Oksana G_.

Hillary has won two grants from the Canadian Arts Council and she has won bursaries from Les jeunes ambassadeurs lyriques, The Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation, and the Hazel Crydermann-Wees Foundation. Hillary recently won The Idaho/Montana district in The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and she looks forward to competing in the 2023 regional. She was a finalist in IRCPA's "Ten Singing Stars," competition and she had the opportunity to sing the final round live on 96.3 The New Classical FM. Hillary was also a finalist in The Mozart Project Competition and she was a Semi Finalist in Les Nuits Lyriques Concours International de Chant de Marmande, France. 

Hillary’s training includes apprenticeships with Highlands Opera Studio, The Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program, Vancouver Opera, and Tapestry Opera's Emerging Artist Workshop. Hillary holds an MMus, Voice Literature and performance and a BMus, Honours Voice Performance (Western University).