Mezzo-soprano Jessica Lyublinsky is gaining recognition for her powerful voice, dramatic timbre, and emotional performance. With a contralto-like resonance in her lower register, an extended high range, and striking squillo, her instrument has been described as “Wagnerian” and the quality that of a “true dramatic mezzo.”
The Toronto native is a graduate of The Royal Conservatory: Glenn Gould School Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance (2020-2024) where she was the recipient of a four-year long, full-tuition scholarship. While at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, Jessica studied under GGS vocal chair Adrianne Pieczonka and coached with répétiteurs and pianists Rachael Kerr and David Eliakis.
Jessica is currently pursuing her Master’s in Classical Voice Performance and Opera (2025-27) at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Robin Rice, supported by a full-tuition scholarship. Jessica has made her mark internationally, most recently being the youngest singer and winner of the Pittsburgh District round of the 2024–25 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and advancing to the Great Lakes Region quarterfinals.
Jessica’s 2025 summer season is marked with being a professional emerging artist with Opera Quest, where she premiered in JÉHANNE composed by Opera Quest artistic director Colin Doroschuk. The opera was a bilingual libretto in English and French in operatic and contemporary/crossover styles.
The world premiere took place on June 27th, 2025 at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Jessica performed the role of Saint Margaret who watches over JÉHANNE. In her primary aria as the Saint Margaret, Jessica embodies the visceral thoughts of JÉHANNE who awaits her execution.
Jessica’s 2024/25 season includes performances with The Glenn Gould School Opera, in her professional role debut as the Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte at Koerner Hall. Jessica also performed as a soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in their POPS Goes to the Movies: The Music of Hans Zimmer concert in early April at Roy Thomson Hall under the baton of Trevor Wilson.
Jessica’s 2024/2025 season is marked with many significant performances, including the Ben Steinberg Musical Legacy Award recital alongside pianist Jonathan Alter. As the 2024 recipient of the Ben Steinberg Musical Legacy Grant, she performed alongside Jonathan Alter at Temple Sinai in March 2025, presenting works by Bellini, Massenet, Verdi, Charles Osborne, Mahler, and Strauss. As Duo Tikvah, Jessica and Jonathan made their Koerner Hall chamber debut in the GGS Chamber Competition finals (March 2024), earning second place in the duo category.
Aside from opera, Jessica is an avid choral performer, being the alto lead and rehearsal soloist with The Mandel Philharmonic (Alto choir lead in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Carmina Burana excerpts, and rehearsal alto solo for Mahler 2); the alto and soprano lead and featured soloist with the Toronto Korean Canadian Choir (TKCC) and Seohan Orchestra (Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Verdi’s Requiem excerpts, Karl Jenkins’ Joy to the World alto solo, and more) in their 45th anniversary concert; and more.
Jessica’s time at The Glenn Gould School was marked with several outstanding performances and masterclasses, including performing with as Mere Jeanne de l’enfant Jesus in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites in spring of 2024; her piano-voice debut in Koerner Hall alongside her duo partner Jonathan Alter in the finals of The Glenn Gould School Chamber Competition 2024; Lieder Abend 2023; Handel’s Rinaldo (ensemble) in 2022; several French mélodie symposiums and vocal showcases; chamber music recitals and masterclass with Canadian and Internationally acclaimed artists.
In early 2024, Jessica contributed her voice remotely to Robby Good’s score for the video game Project: Eden’s Garden. Jessica recorded both Alto and Soprano (I and II) parts in the Main Theme.
Jessica made her European debut in 2023 as La Zia Principessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica at the Saluzzo Opera Academy (SOA) under the baton of Kevin Class. Jessica was invited to SOA on a full scholarship and living stipend.
Since 2018, Jessica has been a student at IYDV, and in 2019 she made her philharmonic debut at 16 as Schwertleite in Die Walküre (scenes) under Laura Jackson with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. She has since performed Waltraute in the same scene in concert. At IYDV and AWP, Jessica has worked with industry professionals including Dolora Zajick, Luana DeVol, John Parr of the Berlin Staatsoper, Beatrice Benzi of Teatro alla Scala, Yelena Kurdina of The Metropolitan Opera, acclaimed Italian opera director Fabio Sparvoli, and many more.
Dedicated to culturally significant projects, Jessica was part of the North American premiere of Henekh Kon’s Yiddish opera Bas Sheve at the Ashkenaz Festival (2022). She also holds leadership roles in choral and symphonic works, serving as the alto choir lead and rehearsal soloist for the TKCC (Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Handel’s Messiah, etc.) and Mandel Philharmonic. In recital, Jessica champions lesser-known compositions and culturally significant music, having a repertoire that spans over 13 languages and different styles.
Jessica currently studies with Robin Rice, Dolora Zajick and coaches with Rachael Kerr Luana DeVol and Brahm Goldhamer.
Fluent in English and Russian, Jessica continues to develop her artistry across a diverse and challenging repertoire, working towards specializing in the works of Wagner, Verdi, Strauss, Russian opera, and bel canto repertoire, while maintaining her artistic philosophy of being a versatile and erudite musician.
JESSICA LYUBLINSKY | MEZZO-SOPRANO 