You’re going to be featuring in Brisbane Chorale’s upcoming performance of Beethoven’s ‘Mass In C’ as the alto soloist. What are you most looking forward to about performing this work?
Like all requiems, I most look forward to those rich, “crunchy” chords and the quiet moments of pure beauty. Singing with a full choir and orchestra is always such a joy, and I feel especially grateful to share this experience with three of my friends in the solo roles. I’m also really excited to be working with Emily and the Brisbane Chorale again, and to collaborate with the St Andrew’s Sinfonia for the first time.
What performers or artists inspire you the most and why?
It changes all the time, but my most recent singer inspiration has been Lea Desandre, whose effortless control and agility in Vivaldi’s music continually impress me. After performing Verdi’s ‘Requiem’ with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, I was also deeply inspired by tenor soloist Matteo Desole, particularly his ability to sustain the most delicate notes and phrases in moments of quiet intensity. Additionally, my peers and teachers at the University of Queensland inspire me every day, encouraging me to remain open and curious in my growth as a musician.
What is your favourite concert or performance memory so far and why?
There are too many to count, but one of my favourite performance memories was singing the Flower Duet with Eline van Bruggen (Soprano Soloist). Beyond the beauty of the piece itself, I felt so grateful to share the stage with one of my closest friends. A video of the performance was later shown to my nana while she was in hospital and seeing how much joy and comfort it brought her was incredibly moving for me as a musician.
As a singer/musician, where would you like to be in five years’ time?
I would love to still be singing and studying, in whatever form that may take. Pursuing a Doctorate overseas would be an incredible opportunity, but I would also be just as fulfilled working and performing closer to home. Ultimately, I’m excited to see where the world of music leads me and to continue growing as both an artist and a learner.
Finally, for a bit of fun, please share with us a story of when a performance didn’t quite go as planned and how you got through it!
We’d have to go a long way back to one of my first big concerts with the Australian Girls Choir. It was my very first solo performance in front of an audience at the annual Christmas concert. Everything was going perfectly…until the final note, a high one, where my voice cracked spectacularly. Let’s just say all the cameras pointed at me – and projected onto giant screens throughout the auditorium – captured a truly priceless expression of shock and embarrassment from this young singer!
