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Neema Bickersteth is a Canadian soprano and interdisciplinary artist who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, on August 22, 1977, Bickersteth grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a singer, and they both encouraged her to pursue her passion for music. Bickersteth attended the University of Alberta, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. She then went on to study at the University of Toronto, where she received a Master of Music degree in opera performance. During her time at the University of Toronto, Bickersteth was a member of the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio, where she honed her skills as a performer. Bickersteth's career as a classical music artist began to take off in the early 2000s. She made her debut with the Canadian Opera Company in 2002, playing the role of the First Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute. She went on to perform with the company in a number of other productions, including La Bohème, Carmen, and The Marriage of Figaro. In addition to her work with the Canadian Opera Company, Bickersteth has performed with a number of other opera companies and orchestras around the world. She has appeared with the Houston Grand Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Vancouver Opera, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra, among others. One of the highlights of Bickersteth's career came in 2010, when she was chosen to perform the role of Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare with the Canadian Opera Company. The production was a critical and commercial success, and Bickersteth's performance was widely praised. The Toronto Star called her "a revelation" and praised her "dazzling vocal agility and dramatic flair." Bickersteth has also received a number of awards and honors for her work as a classical music artist. In 2008, she was named one of the Top 10 Artists to Watch by the Toronto Star. In 2012, she was awarded the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance in an Opera for her role in the Canadian Opera Company's production of Swoon. In addition to her work as a classical music artist, Bickersteth is also an interdisciplinary artist who works in a variety of mediums. She has collaborated with visual artists, dancers, and filmmakers on a number of projects, and has performed in a variety of non-traditional settings, including galleries, museums, and public spaces. One of Bickersteth's most notable interdisciplinary projects is Century Song, a multimedia performance piece that she created in collaboration with director Ross Manson and pianist Gregory Oh. The piece combines music, dance, and video to explore the experiences of women over the past 100 years. Century Song has been performed at a number of festivals and venues around the world, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Bickersteth's work as an interdisciplinary artist has been widely praised for its innovation and creativity. The Globe and Mail called Century Song "a stunningly beautiful and deeply affecting work of art," while the Toronto Star praised Bickersteth's "remarkable vocal range and emotional depth." In addition to her work as a performer and interdisciplinary artist, Bickersteth is also a dedicated educator.

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