An artistic daughter of the Niagara Region, Dr. Maria Vetere has, since the age of five, represented Southern Ontario in local, provincial, and national competitions, as well as on national and international performance stages worldwide. She is a “triple threat artist”: not only a seasoned and brilliant performer in voice, piano, and concert accordion but also a highly educated scholar and one of the most sought-after voice and opera pedagogues. In 2021, she was inducted into the Niagara Falls Cultural Wall of Fame for her global contributions to opera and the arts. Recent performances include serving as the guest soloist with the Southern Ontario Lyric Opera in December 2024 and taking on the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in the same month. Before the pandemic, Vetere made a triumphant debut at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall in December 2019, where her performance received ecstatic ovations. She has performed at many of the most renowned venues across Canada, the United States, Great Britain, South America, and Europe, establishing herself as a world-class Italian soprano. In 2017, she was awarded the highest honour at the NYIOP International Auditions for vocal excellence in a female voice internationally. In September 2016, she “stole the show” at a gala performance at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, where reviewer Michael Caruso praised, “Her singing not only combined the tonal beauty of Renata Tebaldi with just a touch of Maria Callas’ cutting edge.”(Philadelphia Local) Dawn Martens writes, “Everything from her phrasing to her spot-on pronunciation to her exquisite dynamics—lived and breathed Mimì..” (Opera Canada). Logan Martell says, “A fantastic showing came from soprano Maria Vetere, singing 'O Cieli Azzurri' from Verdi’s 'Aida.” Vetere used an enchanting pianissimo to caress her following line open as she readied to delve into the emotional landscape of Aida. Vetere drew an abundance of meaning and beautiful vocal technique, earning the huge applause which followed.” (Opera Wire). Simonetta Puccini, the composer's granddaughter, wrote, “Maria Vetere is the absolutely ideal Mimì.” She has received praise from some of the most prominent figures in opera, including Simonetta Puccini, legendary conductor Maestro Richard Bonynge, the Fondazione Museo Renata Tebaldi, and the Amici di Verdi in Busseto, Italy, as well as conductors and organizers across five continents. She specialises in the Verdian and Puccinian heroines, having performed roles such as Mimì (La Bohème), Violetta (La Traviata), Suor Angelica, Amelia Grimaldi (Simon Boccanegra), Desdemona (Otello), Leonora (Il Trovatore), Liù (Turandot), Norma, and recently made a critically acclaimed debut as Tosca with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera under the baton of Maestro Sabatino Vacca.