Our ex-choristers are going far in the world of Opera!
2005 alumnus Laura Slavin has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2010 Australian Vocal Scholar of the Year. Laura, a coloratura soprano, was a member of the AGC from 2000, was the recipient of the June Bronhill Encouragement Scholarship and had numerous vocal solos during her time with the choir. As one of only three finalists selected from 30 students, we are thrilled at her achievement. The recipient will be announced at the second evening of Opera in the Market on 24 March 2010. Good luck Laura!
Helena Dix, chorister from 1989 until 1996 is still shining in the world of Opera both in London and at home. Helena has won numerous awards, including scholarships for her studies at Melba Conservatorium and the Royal Academy. A finalist in both the Sydney McDonalds Aria at the Sydney Opera House and the Herald Sun Aria in Melbourne, Helena has a had a wealth of Opera experience including; Erste Dame Die Zauberflöte at RAM with Sir Colin Davis, Felice School for Fathers, and tableaux appearances as Violetta La traviata, Cio-Cio-San Madam Butterfly, Fiordiligi Cosi fan tutte, title role Thais, and Lola Gallantry for Victor Morris Opera Scenes, Sydney. She has also sung solo in Saint-Saens Oratorio de Noel and Rheinberger The Star of Bethlehem, Verdi’s Requiem in Cambridge, Messiah in Melbourne, Strauss Orchestral Songs in Cambridge, Mendelssohn’s Elijah in Norwich, Carmina Burana and Mozart Mass in C Minor with Royal Melbourne Philharmonic. In true testament to her June Bronhill Scholarship Helena will sing the soprano solo in Carmina Burana for Concerts from Scratch at the Royal Albert Hall, London in July 2010.
Elena Xanthoudakis was a member of the AGC from 1990-1996, and was awarded the June Bronhill Encouragement Scholarship in her final year. An operatic soprano, Elena graduated from her Bachelor of Music with Honours and went on to study a Graduate Diploma of Opera at the Victorian College of the Arts and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Melbourne. Her studies continued with a scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music, London and as a part of the young artist program at the Maggio Musicale in Florence. Performing in Australia and throughout the world, Elena has toured with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and performed recitals of Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Japan which was recorded by ABC Classic. Her operatic roles include Pamina in the Magic Flute, Frasquita in Carmen and Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro. Elena has performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and made her debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009. Recipient of many musical acknowledgements, Elena won the 2003 Maria Callas International Grand Prix in Athens, the 2006 International Mozart Competition in Salzburg, both the female first prize and overall Grand Prix at the 2nd International Adam Didur Opera Singers Competition in 2008 and more recently at the International Opera Contest, Operalia.
A member of the AGC from 1988 – 1991, Vanessa West continued her love of music at the Victorian College of the Arts. With a Graduate Diploma in Opera, Vanessa debuted internationally in Florence and based herself there after receiving a Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Award. Vanessa is a regular with the Melbourne Opera Company and has performed many roles including Fiordiligi’ in Così fan tutte, Gilda’ in Rigoletto, 1st Lady’ in The Magic Flute, Donna Anna’ in Don Giovanni and Cio-Cio-San’ in Madame Butterfly. Her talents not limited to Opera, Vanessa has written and performed her own one-woman-show "Puccini’s Women - The life of Puccini, though the eyes of his lovers" and also provides corporate entertainment performing jazz.
Some current choristers are following in the footsteps of their alumni big sisters! Samantha Andrew (Performing), Caitlyn Erbs (Camerata), Lauren Sibree (Performing Choir) and Estelle Warren (Concert) were selected to perform in the Children’s Chorus for Opera Australia’s production of La Boheme. Singing in Italian at the performance at the Myer Music Bowl was undoubtedly a very special experience for our girls and maybe a prelude to a career in Opera!
2005 alumnus Laura Slavin has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2010 Australian Vocal Scholar of the Year. Laura, a coloratura soprano, was a member of the AGC from 2000, was the recipient of the June Bronhill Encouragement Scholarship and had numerous vocal solos during her time with the choir. As one of only three finalists selected from 30 students, we are thrilled at her achievement. The recipient will be announced at the second evening of Opera in the Market on 24 March 2010. Good luck Laura!
Helena Dix, chorister from 1989 until 1996 is still shining in the world of Opera both in London and at home. Helena has won numerous awards, including scholarships for her studies at Melba Conservatorium and the Royal Academy. A finalist in both the Sydney McDonalds Aria at the Sydney Opera House and the Herald Sun Aria in Melbourne, Helena has a had a wealth of Opera experience including; Erste Dame Die Zauberflöte at RAM with Sir Colin Davis, Felice School for Fathers, and tableaux appearances as Violetta La traviata, Cio-Cio-San Madam Butterfly, Fiordiligi Cosi fan tutte, title role Thais, and Lola Gallantry for Victor Morris Opera Scenes, Sydney. She has also sung solo in Saint-Saens Oratorio de Noel and Rheinberger The Star of Bethlehem, Verdi’s Requiem in Cambridge, Messiah in Melbourne, Strauss Orchestral Songs in Cambridge, Mendelssohn’s Elijah in Norwich, Carmina Burana and Mozart Mass in C Minor with Royal Melbourne Philharmonic. In true testament to her June Bronhill Scholarship Helena will sing the soprano solo in Carmina Burana for Concerts from Scratch at the Royal Albert Hall, London in July 2010.
Elena Xanthoudakis was a member of the AGC from 1990-1996, and was awarded the June Bronhill Encouragement Scholarship in her final year. An operatic soprano, Elena graduated from her Bachelor of Music with Honours and went on to study a Graduate Diploma of Opera at the Victorian College of the Arts and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Melbourne. Her studies continued with a scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music, London and as a part of the young artist program at the Maggio Musicale in Florence. Performing in Australia and throughout the world, Elena has toured with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and performed recitals of Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Japan which was recorded by ABC Classic. Her operatic roles include Pamina in the Magic Flute, Frasquita in Carmen and Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro. Elena has performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and made her debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009. Recipient of many musical acknowledgements, Elena won the 2003 Maria Callas International Grand Prix in Athens, the 2006 International Mozart Competition in Salzburg, both the female first prize and overall Grand Prix at the 2nd International Adam Didur Opera Singers Competition in 2008 and more recently at the International Opera Contest, Operalia.
A member of the AGC from 1988 – 1991, Vanessa West continued her love of music at the Victorian College of the Arts. With a Graduate Diploma in Opera, Vanessa debuted internationally in Florence and based herself there after receiving a Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Award. Vanessa is a regular with the Melbourne Opera Company and has performed many roles including Fiordiligi’ in Così fan tutte, Gilda’ in Rigoletto, 1st Lady’ in The Magic Flute, Donna Anna’ in Don Giovanni and Cio-Cio-San’ in Madame Butterfly. Her talents not limited to Opera, Vanessa has written and performed her own one-woman-show "Puccini’s Women - The life of Puccini, though the eyes of his lovers" and also provides corporate entertainment performing jazz.
Some current choristers are following in the footsteps of their alumni big sisters! Samantha Andrew (Performing), Caitlyn Erbs (Camerata), Lauren Sibree (Performing Choir) and Estelle Warren (Concert) were selected to perform in the Children’s Chorus for Opera Australia’s production of La Boheme. Singing in Italian at the performance at the Myer Music Bowl was undoubtedly a very special experience for our girls and maybe a prelude to a career in Opera!
