Remembering Rose-Ellen Nichols

We are heartbroken to hear the news that Rose-Ellen Nichols (MMus ‘08) has passed away. Nichols was a Coast Salish Mezzo-soprano who consistently dazzled all who were lucky enough to see her perform. Nichols was a trailblazer and a brilliant light for Indigenous artists. She will be dearly missed.

From Nancy Hermiston, Director of UBC Opera

When you are teaching at a university opera program for almost 27 years as I have, you hear and audition many wonderful young singers. There are always those who immediately stand out in your memory. Today, we mourn the loss of one of these exceptionally talented performers — a consummate opera singer and a wonderful human being, Rose-Ellen Nichols.

The day she auditioned at UBC, I knew that we had a very special singer entering our program. Her teacher, Dale Throness, brought her to us and I will be ever grateful to him that she became a part of my life and that of UBC Opera.

Rose-Ellen was from Pender Harbour and was as much at home on the sea as she was on the stage. She had an incredibly loving and supportive family whom she loved dearly. Rose-Ellen was what I would call a ‘salt of the earth’ person — one of the many traits that I admired in her and yet at the same time she was an opera singer who was riveting on stage, had a glorious, rich, warm mezzo-soprano voice and could move audiences to riotous laughter, tears of sorrow and any emotion in between. A true and steadfast friend and colleague to so many, she always went the extra mile for whoever needed help.

Rose-Ellen was a multi-talented creative person and could do anything. She was on the Costume Team for UBC Opera along with her two dear colleagues Gina and Lisa-Dawn. They were the super opera team and were three ladies that grew together to be like three sisters, making sure everyone had a costume and everyone looked great! That loyalty, friendship, and love remained with them to the end. Rose-Ellen frequently came back to visit us at UBC Opera and I always looked forward to those special visits with her.

Rose-Ellen Nichols in Pinafore

UBC Opera Ensemble Photo: Tim Matheson

Rose-Ellen Nichols

UBC Opera Ensemble Photo: Tim Matheson

Rose-Ellen Nichols

Bard on the Beach Photo: David Blue

Rose-Ellen Nichols

Bard on the Beach with Christopher Guest Photo: David Blue

Rose-Ellen Nichols

Bard on the Beach Photo: David Blue

Rose-Ellen sang a wide variety of roles at UBC from Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutti, Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas, Third Lady in The Magic Flute, Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro, Public Opinion in Orpheus in the Underworld, Filippyevna in Eugene Onegin, The Duchess in The Gondoliers and Antonia Wolff in the world premiere of Dream Healer. She was a key member of the UBC Opera Ensemble and was a mentor to many. This versatility continued during her career as she went on to sing a variety of leading roles in Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and across Canada.

A proud Coast Salish woman, Rose-Ellen has been described as a “trailblazer”, leading the way in bringing Indigenous stories to light through opera. Stories such as Missing and Pauline presented by her home professional opera company, City Opera Vancouver, and Rita Joe in The Ecstasy of Rita Joe. Her performances were memorable and her legacy will be a lasting one.

Rose-Ellen was loved by so many. Her laugh will still resound in our memories as will her beautiful voice, her incredible charisma on stage, and her wonderful down-to-earth personality. She was one of the best human beings that I have ever met. She will be sorely missed. The world has lost a special soul.

Rest in peace, dear Rose-Ellen.
Nancy and the UBC Opera Ensemble
University of British Columbia School of Music