The newsletter of the

Australian International Opera Awards

APRIL / 2011

AIOA 2011 WINNERS MESSAGE FROM MARY-JEAN O’DOHERTY, coloratura soprano.

I want to thank you, my AIOA family, from the bottom of my heart--nothing that I have
accomplished this last year would have been possible without your encouragement and
generous support.

Only a few weeks ago I finished my second performance of Lucia with Prague State Opera.
The performance went really well--everyone complimented me on the beauty of my voice and
very polished/stellar technique; and this technique is a direct result of Dennis, the WIAV, and
thus ultimately the AIOA who sent me to Cardiff. I made my company debut in the Fall (2010)
with Welsch National Opera singing Najad and covering Zerbinetta. And in December (2010) I
was a finalist for the Jaume Aragall Competition in Spain.

In July I will be going to the Longborough festival where I will be covering the role of the
“Woodbird” in Wagner’s Siegfried. In November I will be singing the “The Queen of the Night
Aria” in the Royal Albert Hall at a Raymond Gubbay “Classical Spectacular.” And this week
I travel to Germany to audition for the role of the “Queen.” An agent heard me in Prague
and set up the audition, thus I might get a contract and an agent simultaneously. I have also
entered a number of singing competitions this year.

Best wishes and love, Mary-Jean.

MESSAGE FROM MORGAN PEARSE, bass-baritone.

When I started taking singing seriously, I had no idea that I would be this busy at 22 years of
age: the last 12 months have so hectic I have practically no free time to read the paper over
a leisurely breakfast anymore!

2010 was my final year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. I completed my Bachelor of
Music with first class honours and a thesis focusing on the creation of ‘English-ness’ in music
over the period of 1850-1910. I have also been heavily involved in the opera program at the
Con, singing Garibaldo (Rodelinda), Merlin (King Arthur), Mr. Gedge (Albert Herring) and Dr.
Cajus (Die lustigen Wiber von Windsor).

In February, I performed the lead role in the first production of Sydney Chamber Opera - Jack
Symonds’ Notes from Underground. I’ve also had the pleasure of being a soloist with Sydney
Philharmonia Choirs in St Cecelia and continue with them this year in Faure’s Requiem in July.
There are also some exciting performances ahead with the Sydney University Graduate Choir,
Sydneian Bach Choir, the 2MBS FM Young Performer of the Year Awards as well as
a performance of Schubert’s Winterreise.

As a newcomer to the AIOA family, I cannot praise the Award highly enough. I have been
welcomed warmly with open arms and couldn’t be happier. I am lucky enough to be supported
by the AIOA this calendar year with a scholarship to go towards my study in the UK at the
Royal College of Music from September - an absolutely invaluable contribution to what is an
exciting albeit petrifying move overseas. I hope that this is the beginning of a long relationship
and association with the AIOA for the years ahead.

Kind regards, Morgan

PO Box 229, Toorak VIC 3142

info@aioa.org.au
www.aioa.org.au

AIOA_Bravo_April_11_6.indd 1 2/05/11 10:22 AM

 The newsletter of the
Australian International Opera Awards

APRIL / 2011

MESSAGE FROM LAUREN EASTON, mezzo-soprano.

Since 2009, with the tireless support of the AIOA, my life has been dramatically changed
for the better.

At the completion of the CIAV course in May 2010, I returned home to save money and attend
various singing engagements. These included work with the Song Company, recording for Hal
Leonard Australia, and appearing at the China World Expo as the Beethoven 9 mezzo soloist.

In September I traveled for a week to London to perform at the Wigmore Hall, where I was
awarded a scholarship from the Australian Music Foundation to help support my studies.
At the Melbourne Sun Aria final in October, I placed Third and was selected as the Orchestra’s
Choice by Orchestra Victoria. I then returned to the UK to attend my Glyndebourne audition
and continue lessons with Dennis in Cardiff. In January I was offered a place in
the Glyndebourne chorus for 3 productions in their 2011 Summer season.

I travelled to New York City in February to attend coaching and sing for Brian Zeger,
of the Met and Julliard YPAs. I was given very positive feedback and advised to return later
this year to audition formally. In March, I packed up my things and moved to Lewes - one
week prior to starting rehearsals for Die Meistersinger. We have now begun L’elisir D’amore
music calls, and by May we will also be rehearsing Rusalka. Once the season finishes in
September I will return to Australia, apply for a new visa and in October start my Masters
with Dennis at WIAV, in Cardiff.

Without the support of the AIOA, none of this may have been possible and I cannot thank
the Board and everyone involved enough. Financial support not only covers living costs
and lessons, but ensures a healthy lifestyle and the ability to take advantage of various
performance and audition opportunities. I am continuing to work hard, not only to improve
and progress in my career, but also to act as an ambassador for AIOA and Australia within
the global arts community.

Best wishes, Lauren.

PO Box 229, Toorak VIC 3142

info@aioa.org.au
www.aioa.org.au

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