Pacific Opera is delighted that our principal sponsor Telstra Wholesale is supporting our Young Artists Program in a business-arts partnership which promotes the growth of Australia's budding opera talent. This program provides professional development activities and a roster of concert and corporate events and, importantly, performance opportunities in our fully staged annual opera production.
Dora Armannsdottir—Mezzo
Dora Armannsdottir received her classical training at The Reykjavik Academy of Singing and Vocal Arts and the Opera Department at The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. She has attended Master -Classes with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Robin Stapleton and Kristinn Sigmundsson, and continues her vocal training under the guidance of Mr. Andrew Dalton. Operatic roles include: Hansel in Hänsel und Gretel, Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Belinda as well as First and Second Witch in Dido and Æneas, Lucy in The Telephone, Elja in Grettir-an Icelandic Saga, The Girl in The Girl in the Tower, Amore in L’inoconazione di Poppea, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Dritte Knabe in Die Zauberflöte, Student in Boccacio and Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro. Dora has sung with the Icelandic Opera, Vienna Opera Company and Volksoper Vienna. She has performed internationally as a solo artist as well as with numerous choirs in places like Vienna (Volksoper, Musikverein), New York (Carnegie Hall), Tokyo, Toronto, Bayreuth Young Artists Festival, Reykjavik (Icelandic Opera, Iceland Symphony Orchestra) and Romania (Opera Brasov). Dora will sing Hansel in Pacific Opera’s production of Hansel and Gretel in 2010 and tour to Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Prague to perform Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder with Mitteleuropäisches Kammerorchester.
Gaetano Bonfante—Tenor
Gaetano Bonfante began his studies in opera with Lamberto and Beryl Furlan in 2001. In May 2009 he graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Voice) from the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne). He was a semi finalist in ABC TV’s Operatunity Oz. In 2010 he performed as First Sailor in the world première of the David Chisholm oratorio requiem Kursk and in recital at the Melbourne Recital Centre. In 2009 he toured the UK and Italy performing in concert, returning to sing in the Opera Australia Chorus in The Magic Flute, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Aida. Other roles include First Tenor in the Victorian Opera Chorus in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s concert version of Die Fliegende Hollander; in the double bill production of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex / Les Noces and in 2006 performing as a member of the inaugural Victorian Opera Chorus; Belmonte in Mozart’s The Abduction From The Seraglio for Lyric Opera of Melbourne (2006); St Brioche in The Merry Widow (2005), Slender in The Merry Wives Of Windsor (2005) for Rockdale Opera and Carbone (2004) in the Queensland tour of “Eureka” the musical. Gaetano was the recipient of the Alice Amy McDonald Scholarship in 2006, the Lionel Gell Travelling Scholarship in 2007, and in 2008 he won the annual Melbourne Athenaeum Award.
Katie Connor—Soprano
Originally from Canberra, Katie found her
love for opera singing through her first vocal teachers Marie van Hove and
David Parker. Katie completed a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney
Conservatorium in 2005 during that time performing in Haydens La
Fedelta Premiata. In 2009 Katie won the Shoalhaven and Hawkesbury
Eisteddfods and received second place in the Cowra Eisteddfod. During
2009 and 2010 Katie is a Telstra Wholesale Young Artist with Pacific
Opera. She is continuing her vocal training with Glenn Winslade and in the
coming year hopes to continue her studies overseas.
Regina Daniel—Soprano
Regina is a Coloratura Soprano who has an Advanced
Diploma of Opera from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Roles performed include;
Belinda in Dido and Aeneas for Opera Parramatta, North Sydney
Opera; Marguerite in Faust, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Yum-Yum
in The Mikado for Rockdale Opera; Amathlee in Daphnis et Chloé and the
alternate Amina in La Sonnambula for Pacific Opera; Lola in Gallantry,
Olimpia in Prima Donna, the Title Role
in Ibert’s Angelique, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas and Lady
Billow’s Albert Herring for the Conservatorium of Music.
Angela Brun—Soprano
Angela
holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of New South Wales
and has completed an Advanced Diploma of Opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of
Music, winning the Chapple Bremner Award and the Costa Rosa Hasras Award. She
is currently performing the title role in Rossini’s Cinderella for Opera
Australia’s touring OzOpera Schools Company. She has been chosen as a finalist
in the Australian Opera Foundation’s 2009 Audi German Opera Award. In 2008, she
was a semi-finalist and prizewinner in Australian Singing Competition Mathy
Awards for singers under 25. Specialising in coloratura repertoire, Angela
has performed roles including Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore, Zerline in Fra
Diavolo, Mme Silberklang in Der Schauspieldirektor, and Amore in Paride
ed Elena. Her recital repertoire includes works by Bach, Handel, Mozart,
Schubert, Donizetti, Gounod, Bizet and Richard Strauss.
Eve Klein—Mezzo
Eve Klein is a mezzo-soprano from the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. She has been a frequent performer for Pacific Opera, appearing in Daphnis & Chloe, Cosi Fan Tutte, Hansel and Gretel, and The Magic Flute. Other notable performances include roles in The Fairy Queen, Rodelinda, Angelique and Prima Donna and recitals live on radio 2MBS FM.
Eve releases classically influenced electronic music under the artist name Textile Audio and is currently featured on New Weird Australia Volume 4.
Eva Kong—Soprano
Eva
performed as Amina in Pacific Opera’s 2009 production of Bellini’s La sonnambula.
She also sang at the annual Supreme Court of NSW Concert and a Celebrity
Luncheon at Parliament House before Sir Richard Bonynge and former High Court
Justice Michael Kirby. Other appearances have included singing at a live radio
recital on 2MBS, the Opera & Arts Support Group Fundraising Concert and as soprano
soloist in the Saint Saens Requiem with the University of Sydney Graduate
Choir. Eva has featured as a soprano soloist in Pacific Opera special
events including the gala fundraiser “Top Hat & Tails”, and Opera by
the Lake.
Benjamin Loomes—
Benjamin Loomes is an honours graduate in music from the University of Sydney, where he majored in
composition. He is musical director with Opera Australia’s opera writing project
WotOpera, and in 2009 won the Pacific Opera Vocal Writing Prize with an aria
from his new one act chamber opera “Our side of the river”. Benjamin was a
founding member of Pinchgut Opera directed by Antony Walker, and performed as
soloist in “Orfeo”, released on CD by ABC Classics. As well as numerous other
oratorio performances in Australia and the UK, he sang the tenor solo in
“Messiah” at Sydney Town Hall and was featured in the ABC TV documentary “Fly
on the Wall Messiah”. Benjamin performed the role of Brian in his chamber opera
“The Boat”, and sang the title role in the Mary-Anne Kyriakou’s “The Game
Master” at the Seymour Centre and a lead role in Drew Crawford’s “Eugene and Roe” in the 2004 Sydney Festival. Benjamin
works regularly with Australian film composers, and in 2006 his voice appeared
in the short film “Sexy Thing” at the Cannes Film Festival. Other operatic
roles include Eisenstein in Johann Strauss' “Fledermaus”, Sir Walter Raleigh in
German's “Merrie England” and title role in Auber’s “Fra Diavolo”.
Kerry Nicholson—Soprano
In addition to her role as a Telstra
Wholesale Young Artist with Pacific Opera, Kerry performs with the Opera
Australia Chorus and Cantillatin. She holds degrees in
Geosciences (UOW), Music and Opera (Sydney Conservatorium).
Operatic roles include Konstanza (Italy), Rosalinde (Salzburg),
Donna Anna (Rockdale), Pamina and Dido (North Sydney), Celia (Sydney
Con) and Vitellia (Wollongong). Awards include the Australian
National Operatic Aria, a Goethe institute Arts Scholarship and a live
broadcast recital for 2MBS FM Young Performers Awards. Kerry has been a
finalist for Opera Foundation Australia’s German, Italian and New York
awards.
Kerry will become a Mother in 2010, both onstage – in Pacific Opera’s Hansel and Gretel – and offstage, with the birth of her first child.
James Olds—Bass
In addition to his role as a Telstra Wholesale Young Artist with Pacific Opera, James performs with the Opera Australia Chorus and Musica Viva. He studied under Dr. Michael Halliwell at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where in 2004 he was awarded the Mary Patricia Bell scholarship. After traveling Europe, James returned to Sydney and in 2009 joined the Opera Australia chorus in Beethoven's Fidelio. That year, James began studying under Michael Lewis OAM and performed the role of Judge Turpin in the Sydney University production of Sweeney Todd.
In 2010, James toured with Musica Viva as part of a baroque chamber group bringing opera into schools in remote areas of Australia.
James has continued with the Opera Australia Chorus performing in Der Rosenkavalier and Pirates of Penzance, and in 2011 he will be traveling to Melbourne with the company to perform in La Boheme, Macbeth and The Mikado.
Elly Oh—Soprano
.jpg)
Elly
Oh graduated from Hanyang University, Seoul, with a Bachelor of Music in
Voice in 2008 studying with Jung won Park. She was awarded first place in the
Hanyang University Music Festival and in the Hwa-cheon Bimok Concours shortly
after. Following a period of study in acting, jazz dance and a major summer
school in Italy where she sang in the Sabina Music Festival, she has been
studying with Rowena Cowley in Sydney since 2009.
Elly has taken part in a number of high-profile operas, concerts and festivals in her native Korea, most notably she sang Margeurite in Gounod's Faust and Mme Herz in Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor. She is delighted to sing the Dew Fairy for Pacific Opera's Hansel and Gretel this year, and to be a member of the Pacific Opera Young Artist Program.
James Roser—Baritone
James Roser holds an LMusA in singing (AMEB) and Bachelor
of Environmental Science (Honours) (University of NSW). Operatic roles include Don
Giovanni (Opera Hunter), Dr.Bartolo (Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Pacific Opera), Owen Wingrave and Mr.Gobineau (The Medium for
Opera Workshop). James has been a
finalist in most of the major national singing competitions, regularly sings as
a soloist of oratorio/concert repertoire and has been broadcast on 2MBS-FM,
ABC-FM and 3MBS-FM. James has sung with Cantillation, the Australian
Brandenburg Choir and is a member of the Opera Australia Chorus.
Clarissa Spata—Soprano
Clarissa Spata graduated with a Distinction in Voice (BMUS) at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she also completed 12 months of the Diploma of Opera. Clarissa’s operatic roles have included The Sorceress and also the First Witch in two productions of Dido & Aenaes by Purcell, and Gianetta in The Gondoliers by Gilbert & Sullivan. She recently performed the role of Cosette in Les Miserables. Clarissa is currently performing as lead Soprano in the vocal group ENCORE and is with Opera Australia’s School Company performing both the roles of Cinderella and Clorinda in Rossini’s Cinderella.
Thomas Strong—Baritone
Thomas Strong developed a passion for opera at a very young age. In 2002 he was accepted into the Canberra School of Music to study operatic voice. In 2003 Thomas was awarded a Scholarship by the Royal York Trust in England where he took part in concerts and an opera in Manchester with singers from around Europe. Upon returning home, he attended the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts where he completed his Bachelor in Performing Arts (Music). During his time at University Thomas took part in many concerts and operas, gaining musical knowledge and an understanding of the stage. Since finishing university Thomas has maintained his passion for opera and has been involved with many projects in opera companies and private ventures.
Randall Stewart—Baritone
Randall Stewart is a versatile opera and concert baritone, in his second year withPacific Opera Telstra Wholesale Young Artists Program. In 2009, Randall performed as the Male Swing for the Opera Australia NSW Schools Company production of Rossini’s Cinderella. He has performed with companies including Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Sydney Symphony, Co-Opera, and Rockdale Opera Company. Randall is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and has sung many operatic roles including Giorgio Germont in La traviata,
Marcello in La boheme, Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief, Leporello in Don Giovanni, L’Imperial Commissario in Madama Butterfly, Herr Fluth in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor and Doctor Falke in Die Fledermaus. In the Oratorio repertoire, highlighted roles performed are the bass solos in Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai.
Michael Vaiasinni—Tenor
At the
tender age of 19 this tall handsome young tenor delights with his powerful
voice and his passion for music as he embraces the stage with enthusiasm and
charisma. He has achieved his AMusA Diploma in Classical Singing with vocal
teacher Glen Winslade. He has also performed major roles in student productions
and in Pacific Opera’s ‘La sonnambula’ at the Glen Street Theatre. He graduated
and received two scholarships from the prestigious Talent Development Program
and is also the winner of the 2010 Italian Opera Foundation Australia Scholarship.
Anna Yun—Mezzo
Originally from Siberia (Russia) Anna began her vocal studies at the age of 15 when she was spotted by a prominent opera singer in one of school’s pop song contests and was offered a place in her studio. In the following years she became a soloist with Russian Folk Chamber Orchestra and commenced studies at the State College of Music majoring in Opera and Musicology. Anna is currently completing her last year of Diploma of Opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Rowena Cowley. Her recent appearances include the title role of Fede;in a rarely performed Scarlatti opera with SydConMus 2008, Teresa in La Sonnambula, Pacific Opera 2009, Lady Billows in Albert Herring, SydConMus 2009. In Dec 2009 she appeared as a soloist with Sydney Youth Orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony #3, Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio and as a part of ensemble with Opera Australia in Christmas at the Opera House. In 2010 she will sing the role of Mrs.Grose in The Turn of the Screw with SydUni Opera Company, Andronico in Tamerlano and Madama Rosa in Il Campanello, both with the SydConMus.
Amanda Wagg—Mezzo
Amanda graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in
2000 [BMus (Mus Ed)]. Whilst majoring in Violin, Amanda has been performing regularly
as a singer for the past ten years. She has worked with groups such as the Song
Company, Cantillation and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and has appeared as a
soloist with many ensembles including the Choir of Christ Church St Laurence, The
Eastern Sydney Chamber Orchestra, The Macquarie Singers and Rockdale Opera.
Amanda holds an AMus in singing and is continuing her vocal studies at the
Conservatorium under Dr Rowena Cowley.
Carli Walker—Mezzo
Carli Walker’s interest in
opera was piqued, as a child, while watching Opera Australia’s televised
performances on the ABC. Her interest in singing led her to study voice at
university, where she qualified with a BA(Creative) and a BMus(Hons). During
her studies she performed various roles including Dorabella (Cosi fan Tutte), Nellie
(Carousel), Mrs Peachum (The Beggar’s
Opera) and Dame Carruthers (The Yeomen
of the Guard). Carli has recently performed as a concert soloist in Germany
where she was a participant in the Lotte Lehmann Akademie and has been a
regular concert and oratorio soloist on the Darling Downs for the past six
years. She has been a member of the Opera Queensland Chorus since 2006,
performing in Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, Turandot and La Traviata.
In 2010, became a Telstra Wholesale Young Artist with Pacific Opera.
Cathy Zhang—Soprano
Cathy holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of
New South Wales. She has performed
as a soloist in Beijing and at various corporate and government functions in
Australia. Since joining Pacific Opera in 2008, she has performed in many
concerts and functions and has sung the roles of Aricie in Daphnis and
Chloe and Lisa in La sonnambula. Cathy will pursue a Master of
Arts (Vocal Studies) programme at the Royal Academy of Music in London on a
full scholarship later this year.