2011 finalists

Naomi Johns,
25

Soprano, NSW

Naomi studied Music Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Edith Cowan University, before moving to Sydney in 2004.

Naomi's concert performances include Haydn's Die Schöpfung, broadcast on ABC Classic FM, Mozart's Requiem, J.S. Bach's Magnificat and Haydn's Missa in tempore belli. In 2010 Naomi was a guest soloist for Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral, broadcast on ABC1. In 2011 she performed with Opera Australia in Macbeth, Lakme, La Boheme, The Pearl Fishers.

• Mozart Opera Institute Award
• Nelly Apt Scholarship
• Woodward Family Prize

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Emma Moore,
23

Soprano, NSW

Emma is currently completing her postgraduate studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, having been awarded a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in 2009. 

In late 2011 Emma will take up a position at the University of the Arts in Berlin in their Master of Opera Course. Her experience as a performer ranges across the Art Song, Operatic and Oratorio repertoire. Recent operatic roles include Dido in Dido & Aeneas; Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw and Eurydice in Les Malheurs d’Orphée. This September she will perform Sandrina in La Finta Giardinera for the Sydney Conservatorium Opera Studio.

• Marianne Mathy Scholarship
  • ABC Classic FM Prize
  • Faye Franco Prize
  • 2 MBS-FM Recording Engagement
  • Lightbox Photography Prize
  • Editorial Resources Prize
  • Oral History
  • The Mathy Statue
  • Christine Leaves Award
• Phillip & Myrtle Foster Memorial Award
• Symphony Australia Young Vocalist Award

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Morgan Pearse,
22

bass baritone, NSW

Morgan has just completed his Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney.

Morgan’s opera credits include Dr. Cajus in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor; Garibaldo in Rodelinda; Mr. Gedge in Albert Herring; Merlin in King Arthur; Papageno in Die Zauberflöte; and Underground Man in Notes from Underground. Morgan has also worked as a soloist with various orchestras and choirs.

• Handa Prize
• Universal Music Australia Prize

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Gérard Schneider,
23

tenor, WA

Gérard completed his musical studies at John Curtin College of the Arts.

Gérard sang Rodolfo in Co-Opera’s national tour of La Boheme, Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte and Don Basilio and Curzio in the Marriage of Figaro.

In 2012, Gérard will make his international debut in the role of Don Basilio in the Wiesbaden Festspiele production of The Marriage of Figaro.

• Guildhall School of Music & Drama Award
• Sheila Prior Australian Opera Auditions Committee (NSW) Prize
• Phoebe Patrick Award
• David Harper Award

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Bryony Williams,
22

Soprano, New zealand

Bryony graduated from the Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance and is currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Performance and Voice.

Bryony has performed Ist Soloist in Alfred Hill's Life, a quintet for pianoforte, strings and eight voices recorded for Naxos. She has sung with New Zealand Opera in Macbeth and Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci. Bryony has recently played the role of Helena in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream and has performed the title role in Handel's Alcina with Wellington's Days Bay Opera to critical acclaim.

• Royal Northern College of Music Award
• Clark & Associates Prize
• Nell Pascall Award
• Merenda Prize
• Istituto Italiano di Cultura Award

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All Finalists received:

• David Giles Meditation Award
• Lillie Chiropractic Award
• Opera Australia Prize

Past Finalists

2010 Finalists 

Rachel Bate, Kiandra Howarth, Eleanor Lyons, Ryan Sharp, Kang Wang