Jessica Derventzis is a Stage Director, Dramatic Coach, and Dramaturge based in Toronto but she is willing to travel anywhere and everywhere for the right gig. Her work has taken her all over Canada, directing and assisting at the major houses, opera schools, summer programs, and indie companies. She is a Dora-nominated stage director (for “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with Opera 5) and is consistently praised by colleagues and press outlets for her knack with comedic timing, collaborative rehearsal process, and innovative story-telling. Some of her favourite past projects include Cinderella, The Bremen Town Musicians (Calgary Opera), Die Zauberflöte, La Bohème (Opera Kelowna), Dido and Aeneas and La Liberazione di Ruggiero (Opera McGill), selection from Tapestry Opera Briefs (Tapestry Opera), Our Town (Opera Nuova, Canadian premiere), Book of Faces and The Chair (Musique 3 Femmes - Opera McGill and University of Ottawa, and Highlands Opera Studio), Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Toronto City Opera), Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Bohème and The Merry Widow (Brott Opera), The Medium, Le Docteur Miracle, L’Heure Espagnole (Stu&Jess Productions). Coming up, Jessica will be directing L’Elisir D’Amore with Toronto City Opera and Elegies: A Song Cycle with Opera 5.

Rounding out her portfolio, Jessica is also a licensed Funeral Director and volunteer chauffeur for Toronto Cat Rescue. Jessica is a champion of new opera, adores working with young artists and changing the landscape of opera in Canada, and would love to share a rehearsal hall with you.