Canadian Soprano Marion Samuel-Stevens has been described as an engaging, direct performer and actress. Her performances range from the intimacy of recital performance to the grandeur of opera. Marion has been the Ontario winner of the Natsaa competition and second runner up in the regional Natsaa competition in Indiana, where her voice was described as "beautiful and rich with evenness and colour throughout". She was also a semi-finalist in the prestigious Eckhardt-Grammatté competition which gives special attention to new Canadian music. In both competitions Marion showed her well-developed ability to switch between a wide variety of vocal and dramatic styles with efficiency and finesse.
Marion has performed across Canada and the United States and Europe. She is a graduate from the University of Toronto's Voice Performance program. As well as studies at Wilfrid Laurier University she has attended many prestigious enrichment programs across North America and Europe where she had the pleasure of studying with many acclaimed musicians including Elly Ameling, Rudolph Jansen and Martin Katz.
Marion is an adjunct professor Voice at the University of Guelph where she is active in creating a new program for contemporary music and maintains an active private studio. She also serves as the Artistic Director of the Guelph Youth Singers and has conducted several ensembles in the Guelph area. Described as “intelligent, relatable and engaging” she is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator.
An avid supporter of new music she has had the pleasure of debuting several works by Canadian composer Peter Skoggard, as well as performing works by Ronald E. Beckett, Jake Heggie. Ricky Ian Gordon and John Harbison all under the guidance of the composers themselves. Her unique approach to poetry and ability to interpret challenging works with ease has also allowed her to perform in the Bohlen-Pierce scale. On her portrayal in Ronald E Beckett's Ruth “ Marion Samuel-Stevens was outstanding in the title role. Her warm, full voice floated across the registers, especially to some silvery, shiver producing high notes. I found I was keenly looking forward to her next solo moment.” Murray Charters Equally comfortable on the operatic and concert stage, Marion is sought after for her subtle interpretations of text and character, as much as for her warm, supple and luminous voice.
Most recently Marion has completed certification in Vocal Health First Aid and Vocal Habilitation. (Assisting those with vocal injuries, fatigue, or any other voice related questions). Marion is also currently pursuing a Master’s in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Wales (Voice Study Centre) where her area of focus is the athleticism of singers as well as the parallels between athletic and vocal coaching. As an instructor, she strives to help each student find their unique voice and have the artistic ability to use many vocal and dramatic colours in their performances. Marion’s trauma informed teaching treats each student with care and her wide knowledge and adaptability allows her to work with students from all walks of life.