Nikan Ingabire Kanate Wins Canadian Opera Company's Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition

The second-year opera student won both the first prize and the audience choice prize in the prestigious national vocal showcase.

Congratulations to opera student Nikan Ingabire Kanate for winning the Canadian Opera Company’s 12th annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition following her performance of “Depuis le jour” from Charpentier’s Louise.

Kanate, the Edwin B. Garrigues Fellow at Curtis, won the first prize of $12,500—as well as the audience choice prize of $3,000. She also received an invitation to join the company’s prestigious Ensemble Studio, Canada’s foremost training program for emerging opera artists.

“There’s something magical about seeing the future of opera take shape before your eyes,” said Canadian Opera Company General Director David Ferguson, per Opera Wire. “To all of this year’s finalists: The path ahead is bright, and we can’t wait to see where your voices will carry you.”

Want to experience Kanate’s artistry first-hand? Join us for “La Passion de Simone” on February 26, 2026, where Kanate will star as Simone. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

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