EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Lyric soprano Gabrielle Martin, 26, of Saint-Jacques, is preparing for a deeply personal concert performance despite receiving a third cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Martin, who first battled the disease as a toddler and again in 2022, is using music as a source of strength and inspiration as she navigates her ongoing health challenges. Her upcoming concert, “Resilience & Bell canto” on December 4th, will not only showcase her talent but also raise funds for aspiring young musicians in Northwest New Brunswick through a series of scholarships.
“Let’s just say I let out a little cry, I was so happy,” says Gabrielle Martin, a classical singer from Edmundston, reflecting on a recent development in her career.
The 26-year-old lyric soprano, originally from Saint-Jacques, received a challenging diagnosis earlier in 2025: a recurrence of her incurable cancer. Martin first battled cancer as a young child and received another diagnosis in 2022. “I had cancer when I was two and a half. I had another one in 2022. So this is my third diagnosis. It’s a lot to take in at first, but as you live with it, you get used to it,” she explains.
Despite the difficult news, Martin remains optimistic and is preparing for what will likely be her final stage performance with a concert titled “Resilience & Bell Canto.” The performance is particularly meaningful as Martin navigates her health journey.
“I feel really feverish, but it’s a little stressed, but it’s really good stress. It really makes me happy. It’s really themed around lyrical melody and it connects, the opera,” the young singer shared.
A former colleague at the Centre Edmundston informed her about a grant opportunity. The grant was available to volunteers between the ages of 15 and 30, and Martin’s former vocal coach helped her apply. “Sophie Dupuis contacted me to tell me that I was eligible to apply for the grant with Place aux Compétences and finally, in September, we found out that I got it,” Martin said.
Together, Martin and Dupuis are organizing a concert featuring four local musicians and showcasing young artists from Northwest New Brunswick. A key goal of the concert is to offer seven $500 scholarships.
“For young people who want to go into music and study anywhere in Canada,” Martin explained.
Martin’s journey hasn’t been without its obstacles. She has also navigated a multiple personality disorder, which complicated her schooling up until university. The concept of resilience has become central to her life and work.
“It’s never too late to do what you love,” Martin emphasizes.
She plans to perform the same songs she sang during her high school graduation, promising a deeply emotional moment when she takes the stage on December 4th at 7:00 PM at the arts center of the Petite Église in Edmundston. The concert is poised to be a powerful testament to the human spirit and the enduring power of music.
