2026 Dalhousie Bachelor of Music graduate profile, Elizabeth Ruxton
Dal BMus grad Elizabeth Ruxton said yes to fear, and found her voice.
Originally from “middle of nowhere” Bruce County, Ontario, Elizabeth grew up surrounded by music. Instruments were always kicking around the house. Her childhood was filled with school bands and dance classes. Elizabeth discovered her passion for singing at age ten, when she joined a children’s choir run by a family friend. Within a year, she began private voice lessons, dabbled in musical theatre and Disney standards, but quickly moved on to classical repertoire.
“I decided I was going to be an opera singer when I was twelve,” Elizabeth remembers. “It was a grand declaration. My mom didn’t quite know what to do with that.”
Elizabeth says classical “just felt right in my voice.” When applying to University she knew exactly what she was looking for: a focused Bachelor of Music program with strong performance opportunities and a close-knit community that felt inspiring, not overwhelming.
Dalhousie’s Fountain School of Performing Arts’ unique voice program felt like the right fit. It’s an education she’s built on saying yes.
Elizabeth as first rooster from the left, in DalOpera's 2023 Cunning Little Vixen (photo: Nick Pearce)
Sing early, sing often
One of the defining moments of Elizabeth’s degree came early: performing in DalOpera’s The Cunning Little Vixen in her first year. A rare opportunity for music undergraduates
“I remember thinking, yes, opera is exactly what I want to do.” she says. “If that hadn’t happened, I think I would’ve been really disappointed.”
She’s since embraced every opportunity to perform, especially those outside her comfort zone. That willingness to say yes has been transformative artistically and personally.
“I came in with a lot of social and performance anxiety,” says Elizabeth. “I was terrified even just talking to people, and I’d shake on stage. But being constantly put in situations where I had to perform, communicate, and take risk, its’ changed me completely.”
Over her four years at Dal, that anxiety was paired with a growing sense confidence. Not just in her vocal skills, but in her ability to make bold choices, collaborate with others, and claim her space on stage.
A love of languages and storytelling
Singing’s complexity is part of what excites Elizabeth most, especially the synergy between language, music, and character.
Italian is her favourite language to sing in. That skill is supported by extensive coursework in lyric diction and her favourite Dalhousie language course, Italian. “I just love learning languages”.
“As an opera singer you’re doing a lot of different translations in your brain at once,” she explains. “First you need to understand the text, then you pick it apart technically. Through repetition over and over the two things meld into one.”
Her favourite roles are usually the emotionally demanding ones. Characters that make audiences laugh or cry, sometimes both. Her favourite role? Jo in DalOpera’s Little Women.The quartet Let Me Look at You was a defining moment of her fourth year, particularly on her closing night.
“The music was incredibly difficult to learn, but I’m a better musician for it.” she says. “Standing on stage with some of my best friends, it felt like the perfect last Dal opera for me.”
(from left to right) Ella Howard as Amy, Elizabeth Ruxton as Jo, Katie Alexander as Beth, Raphaelia Bokolas as Meg in DalOpera's 2025 Little Women. Directed by Roberta Barker, Musical Direction by Cindy Townsend, Set Design by Katrin Whitehead, Costume Design by Diego Cavedon Dias, Lighting Design by Bruce MacLennan. Photo: Kate Hayter
Costumed courage
Elizabeth credits much of her growth as an artist to the abundance of performance opportunities at the Fountain School. “Even when you don’t feel completely ready, you learn by doing,” says Elizabeth.
She recognizes making brave choices becomes easier once your standing on and in the fully produced sets and costumes brought to life by Dal’s technical theatre and costume studies students. Her favourite costume? Comte Barigoule manifested in glorious technicolour by local guest costume designer Diego Cavedon Dias.
“A red velvet coat covered in jewels, a cape, gold pantaloons, blue embroidered tights, high heels, a crown, and sparkly blue eyeshadow up to my eyebrows.” Elizabeth recalls fondly. “I looked insane, and it was amazing. I’ve never felt so confident on stage.”
Elizabeth Ruxton as Comte Barigoule in DalOpera's 2024 Cinderella. Stage Director: Robyn Cathcart, Music Director: Cindy Townsend, Set Designer: Katrin Whitehead, Costume Designer: Diego Cavedon Dias, Lighting Designer: Bruce MacLennan. Photo: Kate Hayter
Alpacas in Ontario, then opera in the UK
After graduation this spring, Elizabeth is heading back to Ontario for a brief stint working on a lavender farm over the summer. “It’s going to be me, the barn cats, and some alpacas.”
She’ll then make another brave move: a gap year in the UK to continue her vocal development, go on auditions, and explore graduate programs. Her ultimate dream is clear and specific. She wants to sing opera in Europe, on a big glamorous stage, and with her name listed as lead soprano.
“I think big dreams are important,” says Elizabeth. “Even if they just motivate you through the everyday, they matter.”