EMERGING ARTISTS
Jamii's
RBC Emerging Artist Program
JONELLE SILLS, MUSIC
LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII
As part of the RBC Emerging Artist Program at Jamii, Jonelle Sills was invited to be Jamii’s Lead Artist for the month of February. This role offered her the opportunity to take on responsibilities similar to that of a programming director and curator. Jonelle chose a theme that resonated deeply with her, designed the month’s programming around it, and selected a diverse and inspiring group of artists to collaborate with. Together, they facilitated workshops and created content that reflected her vision and values.
Throughout the month, Jonelle played an active role in leading and participating in numerous community events hosted at The Jamii Hub. These included the weekly series of activities such as Monday Dancing, Tuesday Discovering, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Creating, and Friday Singing. She also hosted a special Connector event—an evening dedicated to gathering all participating artists to share a meal and reflect on their experiences throughout the month. To close her residency, she produced a culminating event that brought together artists and community members in a joyful celebration filled with conversation, connection, and shared food.
Her chosen theme, “Mirrors,” served as a powerful metaphor, encouraging both literal and emotional reflection. In her words, “A mirror is more than a surface—in its reflection we see ourselves, not only physically but emotionally. We see the facade of how we present ourselves while dealing with the truth of our inner reality. Through them we confront our past, face our present, and dream of the future. They remind us that our reflection is a dialogue and a chance to see our worlds in a new way. When we look into a mirror, we are faced with an opportunity to discover what is and what could be.”
This experience allowed Jonelle to grow as an artist and leader, while developing valuable skills in curatorial planning, collaborative leadership, and community engagement. She was mentored throughout the process by Isorine Marc, whose guidance and support played a significant role in helping Jonelle step confidently into this leadership position.
In addition to her curatorial work, Jamii produced a short video featuring Jonelle discussing mental health for artists, which is now available on both her website and Jamii’s platforms. She also received a new set of professional artistic headshots by photographer Sabrine S. Hakam, adding another layer of professional development to her time as Lead Artist.
Reflecting on her experience, Jonelle shared,
“Being a Lead Artist in February with Jamii Esplanade allowed me to gain invaluable insight into curatorial practice while deepening my connection to community-based art. The opportunity helped me strengthen my network of artists and collaborators. It was truly empowering to give my colleagues work opportunities and create space to grow community. Creating and executing the theme of Mirrors allowed me to amplify my voice and artistic vision in meaningful ways. With the generous support of the Jamii team, I felt both empowered and uplifted, enabling me to step into this leadership role with confidence. The experience also offered a powerful platform for visibility, allowing me to share my voice more widely and authentically while working deeply within the community. It was a transformative and inspiring chapter in my artistic journey.”
We believe this opportunity will open new doors in Jonelle’s career by expanding her professional network, enhancing her programming and facilitation experience, and strengthening her connection to community-based art practices. It was an honor to have Jonelle as part of Jamii’s RBC Emerging Artist program and lead programming at The Jamii Hub.
JONELLE SILLS:
Canadian Soprano Jonelle Sills (pr. Ya-Nell) is one of the most exciting young sopranos of her generation. A JUNO Award nominee with The Canadian Art Song Project for Known to Dreamers: Black Voices in Canadian Art Song for Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble), she has also been named one of CBCs Music’s 30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30.
Jonelle has made acclaimed debuts with leading companies, including the Canadian Opera Company as Mimi in La bohème, a performance that was lauded as being a “beautifully sensitive Mimi with careful control and colour” (The Globe and Mail). Other notable roles include Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus) and Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) with Edmonton Opera, Micaëla (Carmen) and Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) with Vancouver Opera, and Anna Glawari (The Merry Widow) with Toronto Operetta Theatre. She has also appeared in recital with the Viano Quartet at the Prince Edward County Chamber Festival. Her company debut with Toronto’s Against The Grain Theatre in Vivier’s Kopernikus earned her a 2019 Dora Award as a member of the ensemble.
Jonelle has been an integral collaborator with Jamii since 2020, beginning with a performance alongside Jeremiah Sparks in Wind Stories. Over the years, her creative contributions have spanned various projects, including performing in Wayo (2021), starring in the short film series The Wedding, producing Stolen (2023) and Butterfly Ballet (2023), performing in An Evening with David Crombie (2024), and leading Jamii's February 2025 cycle with the theme of Mirrors.
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