Emma Pennell’s talent is gaining national attention.

The soprano singer from South River has been named the 2025 recipient of the RBC Emerging Artist National Award, presented in partnership with the National Arts Centre. Pennell will receive the award at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Show on June 14 in Ottawa.

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Pennell emphasized in release, “For many emerging artists, especially those from underrepresented communities, awards like this can be the difference between possibility and reality.”

“They help launch careers, yes, but they also signal to the world that these voices matter,” Pennell added.

Pennell’s family tree has its roots with the Mi’kmaw of Ktaqmkuk, the Indigenous peoples of Newfoundland. Raised in South River, Pennell discovered opera t

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