Trans Music Tuesday: Emma Pennell

Today’s #transmusictuesday artist is Emma Pennell (they/them), a two-spirit soprano, poet, and activist of Mi’kmaw heritage. Their voice and stage presence are incredible, and were recently recognized with the $25,000 RBC Emerging Artist Award! Pennell is dedicated to lifting up indigenous voices in music through actions like founding the Faculty of Music Indigenous Leadership Initiative at Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music and performing works by fellow Indigenous creators such as Ian Cusson and Michelle Sylliboy. Here’s an aria by Ian Cusson, which I was fortunate to hear Pennell sing this Sunday at a very moving NDTR concert: