Auditions for the 2019 Young Artist Program - Information Pack - Pacific Opera

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Auditions for the 2019 Young Artist Program
               Information Pack

ABOUT
                                          PACIFIC OPERA

Pacific Opera nurtures, builds confidence, teaches skills,
gives reality checks, improves musicality, builds stamina,
conquers shyness, instils professionalism, opens minds to
new possibilities, provides experience, builds resilience
and changes lives.

Pacific Opera was founded in 2003 by Christine Douglas,
and has proven to be the launching pad for many young
artists who have gone on to successful careers, earning
prizes and plaudits, and securing placements with major
opera companies in Australia and overseas.

Our young artists participate in an intensive performance
schedule including masterclasses, staged scenes, concerts
and recitals.

Read on to find out how you might fit into the Pacific Opera
Family.

SIMON KENWAY
                                     ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

In 2015, Pacific Opera was delighted to welcome Simon Kenway as the
company’s Artistic Director. Simon is an acclaimed pianist and conductor
and is very well-known in the Australian opera community as a conductor
and vocal coach. Read more about Simon here.

        CHRISTINE DOUGLAS
             FOUNDER

Christine was the founding Artistic Director of Pacific Opera, and is now
the Executive Vice Chair of the Board. As a former Principal Soprano
with Opera Australia, Christine now teaches singing and directs opera.
Christine lends her expertise to the Young Artist program in the form of
giving direction and teaching stagecraft. Read more about Christine here.

What you can expect from
                   our Young Artist Program
We support and develop young opera singers and are dedicated to readying you
for real jobs in the industry.

There is no more inspiring way for you to learn the finer points of the operatic craft
than to have the direct and personal guidance of the stars of the opera stage.

Masterclasses are given by such internationally acclaimed stars as Ermonela Jaho,
Jacqueline Dark, Lauris Elms AM OBE, Deborah Humble, Jose Carbo, Amelia
Farrugia, Peter Coleman-Wright AO, Cheryl Barker AO, and Chuck Hudson.

Receive regular and tailored vocal coaching sessions with Simon Kenway,
exploring appropriate repertoire, setting new goals and refining your singing.

Sing for important figures in the industry at masterclasses facilitated by Pacific
Opera, and meet acclaimed alumni in relaxed settings to discuss career paths.

Meet opera royalty and make valuable connections in the industry at Pacific
Opera functions.

Get to grips with movement and stagecraft in specialised workshops with acting,
movement and stagecraft experts such as Chuck Hudson and Christine Douglas.

Learn the finer detail of performing in the languages in intensive language master-
classes given by renowned coaches, Nicole Dorigo and Tanja Binggeli.

Polish your professional image with classes in music business, marketing, hair,
makeup, style and industry networking with facilitators such as Annette Brown,
Pamela Andrews and Rachel Dal Santo.

What’s booked for 2019?

Performing with a professional orchestra
You will be performing with conductor Nicholas Milton and the Willoughby
Symphony Orchestra in several performances throughout the year, including a
Viennese Gala in February, Last Night of the Proms in August, and The Magic of
Christmas in December. Read a review of a 2017 performance of ours.

Concerts and Recitals
2019 concerts are still being finalised, but recent recitals have been in the Utzon
Room (Sydney Opera House) and the Independent Theatre in North Sydney.

The Chairman’s Dinner & Recital
You’ll be singing alongside major stars of Australian opera in a glamorous black
tie dinner recital at the Royal Australian Automobile Club of Australia..

Staged Scenes
You will have the opportunity to perform in acting and ensemble work with an
experienced opera director, in both traditional and new repertoire, in roles spe-
cially selected to develop you as a singer and a musician. See our previous pro-
ductions here.

Corporate and Private Gigs
You could be entertaining guests of Pacific Opera clients at exclusive functions,
fundraising parties and during private dinners.

Workshops and Masterclasses
In 2019, we are hoping to work with artists including Ermonela Jaho, Deborah
Humble, Nicole Dorigo, Tanja Binggeli, Christine Douglas and Opera Australia.

The program will be run during intensive weeks throughout the year.

That means that, as a Young Artist, you can expect to have at least one full-on
week per month with Pacific Opera, covering masterclasses, workshops, rehearsals
for performances. Once the dates have been locked in, the onus will be on you to
ensure that you are professional in your commitment to the program, and we do
expect you to keep your schedule clear in these designated weeks.

We take attendance and punctuality very seriously at Pacific Opera. You can’t miss
a rehearsal because you forgot or double-booked yourself when you’re working as
a professional opera singer, so we aim to instil this level of professionalism right
from the beginning. Regular call sheets will be issued to you, and we expect you to
be responsible for your own schedule whilst respecting ours.

We have the support of the industry,
     and our artists are making their mark
      in opera houses around the world

Opera Australia has relied on the pipeline
created by Pacific Opera over many
years.. In fact, many of the members of the
current Opera Australia company are
alumni of Pacific Opera. They include:
Eva Kong, Jane Ede, Sian Pendry, Anna
Yun, Adrian Tamburini, Celeste Lazarenko,
Martin Buckingham, Christopher Hillier,
Leah Thomas, Zoe Drummond, James Olds,
Phoebe Humphreys, Jared Lillehagen and
many more..
                           Craig Hassall, AM

                          Recently, the Sydney Opera House has
                          developed an emerging artists program as
                          part of its new Performing Arts Strategy.
                          The program builds relationships with
                          institutions such as Pacific Opera and will
                          provide a public performance platform for
                          the next generation of Australian performing
                          artists. The Opera House is enthusiastic to see
                          Pacific Opera continue to flourish and to
                          provide budding operatic talent.

                          Timothy Calnin
                          Former Director, Performing Arts
                          Sydney Opera House

What we don’t have is you!
As a Young Artist at Pacific Opera, you will be:

•   A graduate of a tertiary music institution, or an exceptionally gifted singer at
    the same standard
•   An energetic, hard-working and motivated young singer who considers
    themselves to be an “emerging artist” at time of application
•   Able to be primarily based in Sydney from February-October 2018
•   Genuine in your desire to make the most of the Program and be completely
    professional in the way you conduct yourself

                      Audition Requirements
In 2019, we will be accepting up to 12 Young or Associate Artists in our Program.
Entry to the Program is by audition, and feedback will be provided to singers upon
request. We don’t have an age limit, but artist positions will be awarded to those
singers whom the panel feels has a genuine chance at a professional career.
Artist positions in the Program are provided on a scholarship basis, so you don’t
have to pay to be involved.
The audition fee is $50, and is payable at time of application.
We will provide an excellent accompanist for you., and you will need to bring at
least three arias, preferably one in English. Read more here.
To book an audition, apply online: www.pacificopera.com.au
Audition enquiries: Anne Chivas auditions@pacificopera.com.au

The alumni of our Young Artist Program have
 gone on to achieve many great things...

                       EVA KONG

Eva was recently a Moffat Oxenbauld Young Artist with
Opera Australia, and since 2010 has performed chorus
and study roles, covering Norina in Don Pasquale, High
Priestess in Aida (Handa Opera on the Harbour), Donna
Anna in Don Giovanni, Gilda in Rigoletto, Gianetta in The
Elixir of Love (covering Adina), Barbarina in The Marriage
of Figaro. Eva sang Liù in Turandot for Handa Opera on
Sydney Harbour, Laura in Luisa Miller and
Princess Linetta in The Love for Three Oranges.

In 2018, Eva covered Lucia di Lammermoor. In 2017, she
appeared in Parsifal alongside Jonas Kaufmann, and sang
the sopranos solos in Carmina Burana for the Melbourne
Symphony. Eva has also performed Madame Mao with
Victorian Opera in Nixon in China.

                                            EMILY EDMONDS

                         Emily joined the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at
                         Covent Garden in 2015. In her first season, her roles
                         included Third Grace/Third Fate (Orpheus) at the Sam
                         Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, Alms
                         Sister (Suor Angelica) and Käthchen (Werther) on the
                         main stage and in the world premiere of 4.48
                         Psychosis in the Lyric Hammersmith.

                         Her roles in the 2016/17 Season included Singer and
                         Musician (Manon Lescaut), Kate Pinkerton (Madama
                         Butterfly) and Tebaldo (Don Carlo) for The Royal Opera
                         and in Les Enfants Terribles for The Royal Ballet.
                         Operatic engagements included Asteria (Bajazet) for
                         Pinchgut Opera, Kate Julian (Owen Wingrave) and roles
                         in Through the Gates and the Australian premiere of Into
                         the Little Hill for Sydney Chamber Opera.

…they encourage you to work hard and follow
 in their footsteps

                 “My first experience with Pacific Opera was in 2011, performing
                         Papagena and the chorus in their production of The Magic
                           Flute. It was incredible to work with such a high calibre of
                         singers and production team, particularly director Christine
                           Douglas. Then becoming a Young Artist in 2013 enabled
                           me to have regular performance opportunities at glorious
                              venues around Sydney, such as Government House, St
                              Andrews Cathedral, Parliament House, NSW Supreme
                                Court and Elizabeth Bay House. I am thankful for the
                           connections I made during my time as a PO Young Artist–
                           professionally and personally. These people remain some
                            of my closest friends and most regular employers! Pacific
                              Opera is a wonderful organisation for anyone wanting
                          ample performance opportunities, introductions to some of
            Australia’s leading performers and a supportive learning environment!”
                                                         – ZOE DRUMMOND (2013)

“I joined very early, I was in my teens, and they saw something in me – a voice,
potential, and gave me an opportunity. And I didn't even know at that time I
wanted to be a singer. In fact, I was studying a
finance degree at the same time. And it was great,
because I could do both and it allowed me to have
some time to think about what I really wanted.

 Pacific Opera caters to every type of singer at any
level, and it's also a place where I felt it was safe
and encouraging, and I was allowed to make
mistakes – and I made very many. But fast forward
10 years, almost, and I've just finished the Summer
Season, I've done concerts in Europe, Switzerland, Italy, France, and I'm going
back to London to do the School's Program at English National Opera.”

                                            – CATHY ZHANG (2008, 2009, 2010)

Thank you for your interest

Pacific Opera
ABN 28 113 387 741

Tel +61 491 018 602
auditions@pacificopera.com.au
www.pacificopera.com.au
Suite 29
112 McEvoy St
Alexandria NSW 2015