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Henkell Family Fellowship 2020, 2021

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"I was elated to know how much work was to be put in from our end. I enjoyed being busy and working on numerous operas and concert performances...COVID stopped everything, and none of us were quite sure what to expect this year. However, that did not stop the company from releasing several online performances and productions, and putting together an entire opera festival. 

It was indeed a challenge managing all that music production from home without having colleagues by your side to sing with, but it did reassure my confidence in myself, my practice etiquette and ability to adapt as an artist; something we all had to do. Given the way the festival came together, it came as no surprise we were so happy that this very unorthodox situation brought about something the world had never seen. I for one felt honoured to be a part of it. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from the year I have spent working with the company. I developed a new set of skills, was lucky enough to be part of 6 separate productions this year, and continued to work on my own voice. None of that would have been possible without the supportive environment provided, and a close set of friends in the form of my fellow young artists. 

In June 2018 I had freshly graduated from postgraduate studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and was looking for the next singing opportunity..so began a whirlwind of an amazing experience.
The young artist studio program has been the most fulfilling, growing, and strengthening chapters in my career. Having the pressure of performing almost every day, learning completely new repertoire, and pushing myself with different concepts; just to name a few highlights. I have been lucky enough to form relationships with the most incredible mentors. I was able to step in (at the last minute!) to the Opera Australia schools tour. This gave me the opportunity to audition again and now I will be doing the full tour next year, which I am very excited about! 
 

This marvelous journey would not have been possible if I had not had Linda and the company backing me. In a singer’s world, we often say there are rare people who we come across at the right time in our life. Linda has been such a person for me. She has pushed me beyond my comfort zone without ever going too far, challenged me with repertoire that I would never have thought of, but most of all; been a constant guide and, my biggest rock through an awkward transitional time in my voice.
 

This company is an essential haven for singers, with amazing support, and great collaboration between artists all passionately making music.