The Opera Scholars Australia Program

The Opera Scholars Australia Program was set up in 1998 with the purpose of offering talented young singers, between the ages of 17 and 26, the opportunity to further develop their talents through a variety of performances and professional tuition.

Auditions are held in May each year. Entry to the 2010 / 2011 program is now closed.

At the Opera in the Alps, Opera by the Lock and Opera in the Market events, the young singers are joined by Australian and international conductors and artists and a 50-piece orchestra of talented musicians from The University of Melbourne, the Victorian College of the Arts and the Australian National Academy of Music.

In its inaugural year, eight scholars were offered a place within the 85 voice chorus. Over the past few years – through the generous support of major sponsor, Leafbusters, community patron, Miss Betty Amsden OAM, and supporting sponsor, Opus 50 Trust – this number has increased to thirty and the age group extended to 28 years of age.

Yvonne Kenny AM - has become the Patron of the Opera Scholars Australia Program. The Honourable Tim Fischer AC is a strong supporter of the program and was Patron of Opera in the Alps until his recent appointment as Australian Ambassador to the Holy See.   Ms Kenny has shown a great interest in the Opera Scholars Australia Program after participating in Opera in the Alps in 2008 and Opera in the Market in 2009.  She also performed with the Scholars in a regional concert in Horsham in 2009.  

In 2002 the Scholar of the Year was initiated. 

Opera Scholars Australia winners since 2002 have been:

2010 Nathan Lay
2009 Nick Jones
2008 Teresa Duddy
2007 Catriona Bell & Siobhan Stagg
2006 Robert Clark & Boyd Owen
2005 Jacob Cunningham
2004 Thomas Strong and Christopher Diffey
2002 Helena Dix

2010 / 2011 successful Opera Scholars Australia*

Christiana Aloneftis
Kate Amos
Kyahl Anderson
Rosemary Ball
Samantha Beer
Kimberley Colman
Edwina Dalco
Brigette De Poi
Zoe Drummond
Alexandra Flood
Josephine Grech
Jackson Harnwell
Jeremy Kleeman
Guy Lambert
Nathan Lay
Freya Leighton
Kimberly Lowe
Jennifer Molloy
Esita Morgan
Adam Nash
Megan Oldmeadow
Alice Parkhill
Giancarlo Salamanca
Henry Shaw
Naomi Summers
William Tang Felman
Zoe Taylor
Emily Thomson
Anna Voshege
Georgia Wilkinson
Jessica Yeo

* NB This list is subject to change depending on requirements for Opera in the Alps

2010 / 2011

Chosen scholars have the opportunity to:-

1. perform in a concert at Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on Saturday 28 August 2010. This will be the first opportunity for new, successful scholars to join the more experienced members;

2. perform in the Opera Scholars Australia Springtime Concert at Federation Square on Sunday 19 September 2010. This concert highlights the previous 6 months preparation with the scholars presenting solos, duets, trios and challenging repertoire for the full ensemble. Three finalists for the Australian Opera Scholar of the Year prize will be chosen at this concert;

3. participate in seven days of vocal workshops, lectures and master classes at  La Trobe at Beechworth from Sunday 9 January to Sunday 16 January, 2011;

4. perform as an ensemble in the Beechworth Scholars Concert on Thursday 13 January, 2011. Selected scholars will be chosen to sing solos/duets/trios with all participating in the ensemble items at this concert;

5. be featured as part of the Opera Scholars Australia Ensemble at Opera in the Alps with a 50-piece orchestra, 100 voices in front of an audience of 4,000 patrons on Saturday 15 January, 2011 with leading Australian artists. One of the three scholar finalists will sing a solo;

6. have the option to sing in the chorus at Opera by the Lock at Mildura on Saturday 5 March 2011 (date TBC) with leading Australian Artists, a 50-piece orchestra and 100 voices to an audience of 3,000 patrons. The second scholar finalist will sing a solo at this concert;

7. be featured as part of the Opera Scholars Australia Ensemble at Opera in the Market (QVM) leading Opera Australia artists a 65-piece orchestra,  100 voices and an audience of 3,000 on 21 and 23 March 2011. The third scholar finalist will sing on the Monday night and the chosen Opera Scholar of the Year will sing on the Wednesday night.

The Scholarship, valued at $2,000 includes:

1. Registrations for Opera in the Alps, Opera by the Lock and Opera in the Market. 
2. All meals at Beechworth including morning and afternoon teas, from dinner Sunday 9 January to  breakfast on Sunday 16 January.
3. All accommodation at Beechworth from Sunday 9 January to Sunday 16 January 2011.
4. Workshops, maserclasses and tutorial fees.
5. Music repertoire for all concerts.
6. Rehearsals in Melbourne for other Melbourne and regional concerts.


Costs

Each successful scholarship winner will be required to pay $350. 


The conditions of entry require you to:

1. be between the ages of 17 and 28 on 1 January 2011.
2. audition with two contrasting pieces (one, preferably, an aria from opera or oratorio) performed from memory. 
3. provide two copies of the music at the audition, one for the AME adjudicators and the other for the accompanist. 
4. have already paid the audition fee of $30 that must be received with your application. 
Present Scholars will be required to re-audition each year.



Opera Scholar of the Year

At the BMW Edge concert on Sunday 19 September 2010, three of the chosen scholars will be nominated as candidates to be considered for the Opera Scholar of the Year prize of $2,000. An Encouragement Prize is also awarded to one regional singer worth $500. 

Each of the three singers chosen will be given an opportunity to perform a solo at Opera in the Alps, Opera by the Lock and Opera in the Market. One of the three will be selected at the final night of Opera in the Market in March 2011, as the Opera Scholar of the Year. 

At the discretion of the directors – other scholars may be chosen to sing solo items in the summer events. 

What does the Opera Scholar of the Year receive?

The winning Scholar will be presented with a prize of $2,000.

Mentoring program

AME is keen to assist in the development and progress of its talented scholars.  Part of this involves a mentoring program whereby chosen scholars are introduced to well-known Australian performers in order to share experiences, and benefit from valuable support and advice. From time to time senior members of the Scholars also take on a mentoring role. Experienced Scholars, who may have either conducting or choreographing skills, may be given the opportunity to apply their skills to appropriate musical pieces.


Auditions for Opera Scholars Australia Program 

Applications have now closed for 2010.

Next auditions will be held in May 2011. Keep an eye out on this website for further details.


The Opera Scholars Australia Program is proudly supported by:
Australian Music Events, La Trobe at Beechworth, Opus 50 Trust, Jennifer Hamilton, Caroline Williams