Autumn Debassige is a mezzo-soprano of First Nations heritage based in southern Ontario.
Born in Sudbury, raised in Orillia, Autumn Debassige is a mezzo-soprano of First Nations heritage with a ‘rich and expressive’ voice, whose performances have been described as ‘lovely and stylish…wonderful, varied, and consistently engaging.’
A versatile freelance soloist, Autumn has been featured by Chor Amica, Guelph Chamber Choir, The Cellar Singers, Spiritus Ensemble, Symphony in the Barn, and by the Elora Festival in the inaugural roster of their Vocal Academy. She has appeared on stage at Niagara’s former Oh Canada Eh Dinner Theatre and performed in Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s Wild,Wild West and Fiddlin’ Around concerts. Most recently she has been alto soloist for the world premiere of The Gatherers by award-winning Canadian composer, Justin Lapierre; for J.S. Bach’s Lutheran Mass in G minor, performed by Chor Amica; for Guelph Chamber Choir’s performance of Messiah; and for Symphony in the Barn’s signature Messiah Amongst the Cows.
Autumn is an active recitalist who, by the generosity of the Art Song Foundation of Canada, has participated in the new Art of Lied Mastercourse offered by Daniel Lichti and Laetitia Bougnol. She has also sung in concert series at St. John’s (Elora), Yorkminster Park and St. James’ Cathedral (Toronto), First United Church (Waterloo), St. Andrew’s and St. John’s (Kitchener), St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), and St. James’ Anglican Church (Orillia).
Photo by Gaetz Photography (2023)
Solo work aside, Autumn teaches voice at Uptown School of Music (Waterloo) and sings alto in KW’s Spiritus Ensemble as well as in the professional Parish Choir at St. John’s, Elora. She is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music (BMus, Hons. Theory 2016) having studied voice with Leslie Fagan and piano with Dr. Joe Ferretti; she is an alumna of The Ontario Youth Choir (2017); and she holds an Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance from St. Clair College (2019).
Autumn is currently under the tutelage of Dr. Elizabeth Lepock, with additional coaching from Daniel Lichti.
“She has a clear, powerful sound, and is capable of unleashing a depth of passion that brings this gorgeous music to life.”
“Autumn is a beautiful singer and brings so much passion to whatever she performs. It is a joy to collaborate with her.”
“The balance of warmth and beauty of tone is just perfectly united in [her] soul.”
“How refreshing it has been for me to work with a vocalist with such a stunningly beautiful and well trained voice, and one with such class! Autumn masterfully handles difficult musical scores while making it look effortless!”
“Autumn has voice and technique in spades...her interpretation: wow. Everything so well prepared and thought out, but went so far beyond that. Clearly a fiery quality in Refiner’s Fire, a fantastic dance in O Thou That Tellest, and a truly broken heart in He Was Despised, which I’ve only ever seen once, many years ago. To say that she sings from the heart is an understatement. The spiritual connection that Autumn has with the music is something that’s very rare - a true gift from God.”
Height
5' 4"
Weight
125 lbs
Hair Colour
Brown
Eye Colour
Green