Measha Brueggergosman-Lee’s career effortlessly embraces the broadest array of performance platforms and musical styles and genres. She has presented innovative programs at numerous renowned theatres with celebrated collaborative pianists Justus Zeyen, Roger Vignoles, Julius Drake and Simon Lepper. She is the permanent Artist In Residence for the Canadian opera company, Opera Atelier.
Learn more about 2023 Muriel Sherrin finalist Measha Brueggergosman-Lee by reading below.
In your own words, can you describe your practice and why you're drawn to the art you do?
I started voice and piano lessons when I was 6 years old and I honestly thought I was supposed to be a pianist. I believed you had to suffer for your art and, believe me, playing the piano made me suffer. But singing was too effortless and joy-filled to be “work.” It didn’t take me long to realize that what brings you joy can also be what pays your bills and my parents, as my first agents, played a huge role in helping me to believe that. What followed (after a lot of hard work) was an international career as an opera singer that morphed into a multi-genre, multi-market outpouring of creativity that I could never have planned or prayed for. The “art I do” has the thread of grace running through it. Yes, it’s “singing" but I’m healed by the act of giving it as much as I endeavour for my audience to be healed through the act of receiving it. But I’ve been doing this long enough to recognize that I’m only as good as the people I collaborate with. Whether I’m conducting, composing, writing or producing, I know the real blessing comes from giving a platform to someone who wouldn’t have one until you come along and create a space for exactly what they have to offer. That’s why I’m drawn to the art I do.
Tell us what it means to be recognized as a Toronto Arts Foundation Award finalist.
I did some research on Muriel Sherrin and there wasn’t much to find since this intrepid leader and promoter of the arts was the director of a Toronto-based music and dance festival that existed before the internet. What the “evidence” does reveal is that the Toronto Arts Foundation memorialized her with an award that celebrates artists who pour their hearts and souls into this great city called Toronto. Having done my FIRST university degree, my first Canadian compositional premiere, my first full-length recital, attended my first NBA *and* NHL games in the city that has now nominated me for an award I couldn’t even apply on my own to receive? That essentially makes me the beneficiary of “good” gossip and I don’t have words to adequately express my gratitude. I want to congratulate my fellow "blood-letters” who have risked it all, let it all hang out and put it all on the line for this great city. At this point, through their benevolence and the commendation of a jury of our peers, the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards have confirmed that what we do has an impact, it does matter, that COVID can suck it, and that someone was watching while we toiled in exile. That is pretty much everything I’ve ever wanted my career to accomplish.