Mezzo-Soprano, Maria Lynn Tassone is a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Maria completed a master of music degree, studying in the studio of Jackie Short, at the University of Western Ontario (2012) and also completed her Bachelor of Education degree at Lakehead University (2013). Miss Tassone received her Bachelor of Music degree at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, studying with both Tellervo Kahara and Mary McGhee (2010). Maria began her musical career as a cantor at St. Anthony’s church in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at the age of 8 and began taking voice lessons when she was 14 years of age. Maria has sung the role of the second woman in Lakehead Universities Opera Studio production of Dido and Aeneas as well as Susanna in their Le Nozze di Figaro Opera scenes. Maria also played the role of Corrado in UWOpera’s performance of La Griselda under the direction of John Hess. In 2011 Miss. Tassone ventured overseas to Novafeltria, Italy, to partake in La Musica Lirica’s Young Artist program in recitals and opera scenes, playing Meg in Verdi’s Falstaff and Annio in Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. Maria also had the opportunity to play the role of Virtu in UWOpera’s production of Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and participated in the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy (COAA)May (2012) where she had the opportunity to sing opera scenes with Orchestra London Ontario. Maria has had the opportunity to work with many vocal coaches through master classes and private coachings. Brian Leeper, John Hess, Irena Wellasch Baerg, Monica Whicher, Dixie Ross Neil, Martin Katz are a few among many. Furthermore Miss Tassone received many scholarships at Lakehead University and received a western graduate research scholarship at the University of Western Ontario. Maria also works independently singing/performing for various special events, weddings and funerals, and currently offers private voice lessons out of her home studio in Thunder Bay, Ontario.