H.M.S. Pinafore Cast Bios and Photos
Grace Quimsey - Josephine
Douglas Tranquada - Bill Bobstay
John Holland - Captain Corcoran
Heather McGrath - Hebe
Marc Potvin – Sir Joseph Porter
Karen Usha - Little Buttercup
Charles Davidson - Ralph Rackstraw,
Grace Quinsey - Josephine
Soprano Grace Quinsey, from Windsor, Ontario, has quickly become a standout on the opera stage, renowned for her dramatic acting and expressive musical interpretation. Her 2024 season was filled with acclaim, including her portrayal of Giannetta in Opera York’s L’elisir d’amore, described as “comically and vocally delightful” (Opera Canada). She also performed as Ma?enka in Prodaná nev?sta and Terinka in Jakobín, earning praise for her rich tone and engaging stage presence. This summer, Grace performed as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with No Strings Theatre and as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro with the Toronto Concert Orchestra. Other recent performances include the soprano soloist in Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri and Haydn’s Creation. She has also performed roles such as Fiordiligi, Norina, and Zerlina, alongside frequent and notable engagements in Die Zauberflöte. Grace's diverse background in Cecchetti ballet and her keen musicality further distinguish her performances. When not on stage, she works as a software developer and enjoys video games.
Douglas Tranquada - Bill Bobstay
Always the engaging entertainer, Douglas has performed numerous roles with Opera York, Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Opera Mississauga, Brampton Lyric Opera, Opera Kitchener, Toronto Operetta Theater, Scarborough Gilbert and Sullivan Society, WaveStage Theater and others including title roles in Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicchi, Rigoletto and Figaro in The Barber of Seville. Bringing a keen sense of comic timing and musicality, his signature roles have been Leporello in Don Giovanni, Papageno in the Magic Flute and the Sacristan in Tosca.
In addition to his opera and oratorio work, Mr. Tranquada has a long history of directing church choirs in Toronto, Mississauga and Richmond Hill. He is also a regular performer of national anthems for the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors905, Toronto FC, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Marlies and formerly the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was invited to San Fransisco in 2025 to perform at the NBA All Star Weekend.
Over his long career, he has performed countless recitals and concerts and in September of 2025 will be taking his most recent program ‘Doug Tranquada – Not Just An Anthem Singer’ to Thornbury Ontario.
John Holland - Captain Corcoran
Czech-Canadian Bass-Baritone John Holland has embarked on a diverse career of opera, oratorio, and art song. In 2020, John won a JUNO award for a recording of Handel’s Dixit Dominus. His Operatic credits include Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Leporello in Don
Giovanni at the Estates Theatre in Prague, Kecal in The Bartered Bride, Purkrabi in Dvořák’s Jakobín, and recently as Belcore in L’Elisir d’amore. He is a frequent performer with The Mississauga Symphony, and with Opera York. John has also performed at Bachfest in Leipzig (2014, 2022) and
San Marco in Venice. Recent recordings include Bass Soloist for a CD recording of Bach’s Motets on the ATMA Classique label.
On the podium, John is currently the Artistic Director of both the Toronto Classical Singers and Chorus York, and has been the longtime music director at Blessed Trinity Parish.
Dr. Holland completed his PhD in Musicology in 2018. His scholarship is focused on the study of Czech Opera, Art Song, and Choral Works. His book, The Lost Tradition of Dvořák's Operas: Myth, Music, and Nationalism was published in 2023 through Lexington Books. In 2024, John co-produced the Year of Czech Music Opera Fest. He is the founder of the Canadian Institute for Czech Music, and a contract faculty member at York University. At Avenue Road Music and Performance Academy,
John is the Director of Fundraising and Community Programming, spearheading such initiatives as the Music for Life adult music courses.
Heather McGrath - Hebe
Heather McGrath is a mezzo soprano from Toronto. After many years singing with her local community choir, Heather made the leap to the stage – with local opera companies – and to the concert hall – as a chorister with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Heather is thrilled to be singing Cousin Hebe in Opera York’s production of HMS Pinafore! Recent roles include Annina in La Traviata with Opera York (“the beautifully voiced Annina of Heather McGrath” – Opera Canada) and Third Lady in The Magic Flute with No Strings Theatre / Opera By Request. Other recent highlights include a performance at Carnegie Hall with members of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in June 2025. Upcoming (August 2025): The Gingerbread Witch/The Mother in Hansel and Gretel with No Strings Theatre. Chorus work: The Tender Land, L’elisir d’amore, Carmen, Susannah, Don Giovanni, Nabucco, Cavalleria Rusticana (Toronto City Opera), Tosca (Mississauga Symphony Orchestra), Die Fledermaus (Opera York), Il Trovatore (Opera Sustenida). She hasn’t quit her day job yet, but when not singing, Heather has been known to dabble in costume-making. Heather is a student in the studio of Stephanie DeCiantis (Lakeshore Conservatory).
Marc Potvin – Sir Joseph Porter
Comic baritone Marc Potvin is excited to make his debut with Opera York portraying the role of Sir Joseph Porter. Marc is no stranger to the world Gilbert and Sullivan having performed the entire canon multiple times over the past 30 plus years as the comedic lead with the St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society (MADS), North Toronto Players, and the Toronto Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Marc’s music interests are not limited to G&S as he has enjoyed participating in a diverse range of musical traditions with various concert and church choirs throughout the city. When not on stage. Marc continues to build on a 32-year career in health care having first started as a Radiation Therapist at the Princess Margaret Hospital, then a Professor of Radiation Therapy at The Michener Institute and finally supporting the various health disciplines programs at Michener by managing industry partnerships.
Karen Usha - Little Buttercup, a peddler woman
USHA –Mezzo Soprano who transcends her classical training and brings her versatility to a variety of genres and audiences
Usha, born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has cultivated a lifelong passion for singing and theatre. commencing her vocal education in her native land, through the affiliated Royal and Trinity College Schools of Music, London, England. After immigrating to Canada, she pursued her vocal development through The Royal Conservatory of Music and Voice Performance, Faculty of Music, U of T under the tutelage of Dr. Darryl Edwards.
Currently based in Toronto, Usha is employed as a Senior Library Assistant at the Toronto Public Library, while actively pursuing a performing career. She regularly performs as a soloist and collaborates with local musicians, poets, and authors. She is committed to using music as a tool to inspire and support young people on the Autism spectrum.
An aspiring member of COSA Canada (Centre for Opera Studies and Appreciation) opening their 2022-2023 Season live productions; “Usha – The Music of My Life,” and has portrayed lead roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas such as The Pirates of Penzance (Ruth) with the Cobourg Symphony and H.M.S. Pinafore (Buttercup) in collaboration with Symphony In The Barn at the Saugeen Opera Festival. Usha was a soloist with Tapestry Opera’s Songbook XII concert series and also had the opportunity to perform three lead voices in the premiere of Norbert Palej’s opera, “The Art of Love” at the Summer Vocal Intensive Program. Mount Allison University, New Brunswick.
Usha is honored to make her debut with Opera York as Little Buttercup. She values her roles as a dedicated performer, a mother to a teenager and her cute puppy.
Charles Davidson - Ralph Rackstraw, a sailor
Hailed for a “refined tone, luxurious timbre and superior technique” (Opera Going Toronto), Charles Davidson is a versatile tenor known for his work in both concert and musical theatre. He has performed with some of Canada's leading ensembles including Tafelmusik (two Juno nominations), Soundstreams’ Choir 21, and currently sings with the Elmer Iseler Singers. A seasoned oratorio soloist, Charles has performed major works such as Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s St. John Passion, and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. Trained at the Guildford School of Acting in the UK, Charles is equally at home onstage. In June 2025, he starred as Billy Flynn in Chicago for Toronto Musical Productions, and this November he will appear as Cornelius in Scarborough Music Theatre’s production of Hello, Dolly! Thanks for supporting live music and theatre!
