Opera Australia is giving talented secondary school students across regional Australia the opportunity to experience life as an opera singer through the 2018 Regional Student Scholarship program.
Mandurah students will have their opportunity when Opera Australia arrives in town on Saturday August 19 at 7.30pm to perform The Marriage of Figaro at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre as part of their 2017 Regional Tour.
Ten local secondary school students will have the opportunity to audition individually for Opera Australia’s Chorus Master for their chance to be selected for one of the four highly sought-after scholarships.
The scholarship includes a visit to Opera Australia’s headquarters in Sydney in January 2018 for a week of opera masterclasses and performances and the chance to see behind the scenes and experience the inner workings of Australia’s national opera company.
At the end of the week, they will have the opportunity to sing for Opera Australia’s Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini.
“The Regional Student Scholarship program is a really exciting initiative of Opera Australia,” Mr Terracini said.
“It’s so incredibly important for us to nurture and support these talented individuals in regional areas who may be considering a career in opera but feel the opportunities are a world away in the big city.
We need to encourage those dreams and provide practical help on their journey into the music industry.”
Launched in 2014, the Regional Student Scholarship expands Opera Australia’s regional tour community engagement activities, which also includes the Regional Children’s Chorus.
“Few children have access to an experience such as this in Mandurah,” Mr Terracini said.
“If nothing else, the impact of this fantastic experience on these children’s lives will hopefully give them a lifelong love of opera.
“Who knows, they may grow up to be professional opera singers themselves one day.”
The auditions will run prior to the arrival of the full Marriage of Figaro production on Wednesday and Thursday August 16 and 17 from 8pm to 9.30pm in MPAC’s Fishtrap Theatre.
Those interested in applying can do so by filling out Opera Australia’s regional student scholarship application.
Since 2014, there have been winners from right across the country, including previous Mandurah winners.
Applicants will be short listed by Children’s Chorus Master Joshua van Konkelenberg, with the winners selected by Lyndon Terracini and Music Director Tahu Matheson.