Past Soloists Bios

Christopher Nazarian Bass 2015 & 2016

Australian-Armenian bass and pianist Christopher Nazarian, is a graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His credentials include a Bachelor and a Master in Piano Performance and a Diploma and Master in Opera Performance also performed a number of operatic roles within the Sydney Conservatorium Opera School.

As a concert pianist, Nazarian has performed in Sydney and Europe and has performed as choral soloist interstate and at the Sydney Opera House. His performances of piano concertos with major orchestras were a highligt of his pianistic career.

Christopher has been a semi-finalist for Young Virtuoso Awards 2015 and a Finalist for the Opera Foundation for Young Australians. Christopher participated in The International Vocal Arts Institute 2016, in New York made possible with financial assistance from The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust through their Music Scholarship Program. In New York, he performed the role of Frere Laurance in Romeo and Juliette conducted by Maestro Paul Nakler as well as working with coaches and teachers; Joan Dornemann, Mignon Dunn, Hemdi Kfir and Armen Boyadjian.

Michaella Edelstein Soprano 2015 & 2016

Soprano Michaella has just completed her Performance Degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as a recipient of the Dr Greenberg & Gurney-Jensen Scholarship for opera, under the tutelage of Maree Ryan. She has perused her love of music from an early age, performing in Opera Australia's Werther (2009), and Der Rosenkavalier (2010), as well as other productions ranging from Carmen (2007) to Dead Man Walking (2007)with Alexander Productions.

More recently, she was featured in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music's production English Eccentrics (2015). International credits involve excerpts from Hansel and Gretel (Humperdink) and Le Nozze de Figaro (Mozart during the Bel Canto Summer School program in Munich (2014), where she studied with numerous German Coaches. She most recently returned from the Estivo Chamber Music Summer School in Verona, Italy (2016) where she worked with international coaches and performed in several locatons including the San Fermo Inferiorie and Conservatorio di Verona.

Nicolas (Nico) Tjoelker 2016 Organ scholar

Nicolas (Nico) Tjoelker, is a student of Philip Swanton at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He recently won the Open section of the Sydney Organ competition.

Joshua Oxley Tenor 2014 & 2015

Joshua Oxley was introduced to music by his opera- singing parents and has developed a growing love of music and its effect on the human spirit. While completing a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying with Dr Rowena Cowley, Joshua has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as Tchaplitsky (Tchaikovsky, Queen of Spades, cond. Ashkenazy) and in the ensemble for Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer (cond. Robertson). He has been tenor soloist for St. Andrew’s Cathedral (Handel, Messiah; Bach, Cantata No. 4, No. 80, No. 115) and regularly sings with the Cathedral Choir. In 2014, Joshua sang Frederic in Pirates of Penzance for Chatswood Musical Society, and ensemble for Opera New England’s La Bohème. In 2015, he performed the role of Remendado in Carmen for ONE and sang in the ensemble for Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concert performance of Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust (cond. Sir Andrew Davis). He also joined the Joubert Singers as tenor soloist in Mozart’s Requiem.

At the Sydney Eisteddfod, Joshua was awarded the Joan Sutherland Scholarship (17-20 Years), and the special Tenor Award in 2013. In 2014, he won a full scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s prestigious ESTIVO Summer School in Verona, Italy, studying with Lella Cuberli and Fabio Centanni, and took part in Masterclasses with Semyon Rozin. In 2015, Joshua won the Operatic Aria (21-25 Years) and was a finalist in the Joan Sutherland Memorial Scholarship (21-25) in the Sydney Eisteddfod. He is currently preparing the role of Alfredo in La Traviata in 2016 with ONE.

Amelia Linquist Soprano 2012, 2013 & 2014

Amelia attended the Sydney Conservatorium High School studying Viola before being awarded a Music Scholarship to attend Barker College where she completed her HSC in 2009. In 2011, she commenced a Bachelor of Music Performance with a principal study of Voice at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2012, she was featured alongside the Conservatorium Chamber Choir in its performance of Monteverdi's Vespers, conducted by Dr Neil McEwan. In 2012 Amelia was also awarded her AMusA with Distinction.

In 2014 Amelia will be performing as the soprano soloist for the third time with the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Ecumenical Choir in their performance of Handel's Messiah. In November of this year, Amelia completed a Bachelor of Music Performance with a Principal study of Classical Voice and is hoping to continue on to study a Graduate diploma of Opera Performance. Amelia has been studying with Dr Maree Ryan since 2011 and is the current recipient of the Helen Myers Merit Scholarship.

Sarah Kemeny Mezzo-soprano 2015

Mezzo-soprano Sarah Kemeny trained in ballet, Spanish flamenco and European character dance before beginning her formal studies at the Queensland Conservatorium. She completed her Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is continuing her studies. Masterclasses include those with Stephen Delaney, Lella Cuberli, Fabio Centanni, Roland Peelman and Andrea Catzel.

On the operatic stage, she has performed the roles of Principessa (Puccini, Suor Angelica), Lady Lewson and Mrs. Worrall (Williamson, English Eccentrics) and covered the role of Cecilia March (Adamo, Little Women). In concert, Sarah was a soloist for the Conservatorium’s centenary concert in the Sydney Opera House (Bernstein, Mass) and in 2014 won a full-scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s prestigious ESTIVO Summer School in Verona, Italy, where she performed with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, as well as in many chamber music and lieder concerts. She was a soloist for Christ Church St. Laurence (Haydn, Paukenmesse; Beethoven, Mass in C Major), the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus (Handel, Israel in Egypt) and for the Conservatorium’s Greenway Series (Mozart, Requiem). She also recorded a live-to-air program as part of the Young Virtuoso Awards for Fine Music 102.5.

In December she will perform at the Sydney Town Hall (Handel, Messiah) and in January, the role of Flora (Verdi, La Traviata) with Opera New England.

Edith Yam 2013 & 2015 Organ scholar

Edith Yam completed her secondary schooling at the Conservatorium High School in 2011, where she has been a student of Philip Swanton since year 7. She has actively participated in the school's extensive music program, including playing the organ in Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony with the school orchestra. Edith holds an AMEB Licentiate diploma with Distinction on organ.

Over the years, Edith has performed and played on major organs across Sydney including those at the Sydney Town Hall and the Sydney Opera House, and broadcasted on Fine Music 102.5 as part of their Young Virtuosi program. last year, she travelled to Europe and played on many historically significant organs in Holland, France and Germany. She won the Sydney Organ Competition last year and was awarded the Senior Organ Championship at the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod. In September 2013 she travelled to Germany to compete in the 11th International Gottfried Silbermann Organ Competition.

Edith maintains a busy schedule regularly playing for weddings and funerals, playing at various churches, and accompanying the John Paul Singers. She is currently in second year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music undertaking a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in organ performance, where she has received a number of scholarships and prizes.

Owen Morris 1^st & Solo Trumpet 2014 & 2015

Owen is currently in his second year studying a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the teaching of Leanne Sullivan. He is in receipt of a full academic scholarship from the Ted and Susan Meller memorial foundation. At 20 years of age, Owen has had extensive orchestral experience including performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Sinfonia and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra on several occasions.

Owen has held the principal trumpet position with the Sydney Youth Orchestra for the past two years and is the current associate principal trumpet with the Australian Youth Orchestra for the 2014 programs. Owen has been appointed as principal trumpet with the Australian Youth Orchestra for the 2015 seasons.

Owen recently won an audition for the inaugural trumpet fellowship position with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the 2015 calendar year. This will involve working regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and performing with the Sydney Symphony Sinfonia, the training orchestra with SSO. In addition to these orchestras, Owen is involved with the following groups: Sydney Conservatorium ensembles; TOPS (The Occasional Performing Sinfonia); Sydney Brass

On top of his orchestral commitments, Owen has formed his own chamber group, Bennelong Brass. Bennelong Brass has performed on the Channel 9 ‘Today Show’ and the TEDx 2014 Sydney Conference, as well as putting on their own concerts.

Dan Henderson 2^nd Trumpet 2015

Born in Perth, Daniel began learning the trumpet at the age of 10. Throughout high school he learnt from David Elton and in 2009 began his Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne studying with Tristram Williams. In 2012 Daniel was accepted in the inaugural intake of brass players at the Australian National Academy of Music to continue study with David Elton and Tristram Williams.

Daniel has participated in Australian Youth Orchestra programs since 2009, including the 2013 International Tour, and was the orchestra's Principal Trumpet in 2014. He was a also member of Sydney Symphony's Emerging Artists program, Sydney Sinfonia, in 2013 and 2014.

Daniel moved to Boston in 2014 to continue his musical studies with Thomas Rolfs, the Principal Trumpet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Whilst studying in the USA, Daniel was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, both in 2014 and 2015. Upon returning to Sydney, Daniel successfully auditioned to be the Sydney Symphony Fellow in 2016.

Daniel is sought after as a freelance musician, having performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Charlotte Merz Mezzo Soprano 2013 & 2014 Charlotte attends the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she is completing a Bachelor of Music Performance in Classical Voice under the tuition of Maree Ryan. She is a recipient of the Albert Scholarship for Music at The Women’s College within the University of Sydney.

Charlotte’s recent performances include appearances as a soloist in Dvorak’s Mass in D with the Choir of Christ Church St. Laurence, Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Sydney Conservatorium orchestra and choir and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Manly Warringah Choir. Her upcoming performances include solo roles in Handel’s Messiah with the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Ecumenical Choir and Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew Williams Bass 2013 & 2014 Baritone Andrew Williams is an opera student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Andrew received the annual “Hilda Mulligan Scholarship” during his four-year Bachelor of Music Performance degree and he currently continues his studies within the Conservatorium’s opera studio under the tuition of Maree Ryan.

Andrew has a wide variety of performance experience. He has appeared as a guest soloist with the Sydney University Graduate choir in their performance of Paulus (Mendelssohn). He has also performed with the Manly Warringah Choir as a soloist in the Magnificat (Bach). And has also appeared as the bass soloist with the Conservatorium Undergraduate program in Der Rose Pilgerfahrt (Schumann).

On the operatic stage, Andrew has performance experience within the ‘Sydney Conservatorium Opera Studio’ performing as a chorister in Die Fledermaus, Die lustigen weiber von Windsor and the world premiere of Daisy Bates. He has also performed the roles of Le cheron (Les Malheurs d'Orphée), Bacchus (Orphée aux enfers), Geronimo ( Il Matrimonio Segreto) and Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro).

Pascal Herington Tenor 2010, 2011 & 2012

Pascal Herington is currently studying the Advanced Diploma of Opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Maree Ryan. Mr Herington has a strong background in choral singing undertaken in choirs such as the Sydney Children's Choir, Gondwana Voices, The Australian Voices and the Tapiola Children's Choir, Finland.

Between 1998 and 2000, he performed with Opera Australia as a principal artist in the roles of Shepherd Boy in Tannhauser; Cabin Boy in Billy Budd; Amor in I'Incoronazione di Poppea; Yniold in Pelleas et Melisande. His performance in Pelleas et Melisande was also recorded live and broadcast on ABC Classic FM. Mr Herington also performed at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Olympic Games and as a soloist in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Credits as a tenor soloist include Mozart’s Coronation Mass (KV317), at Christ Church St Lawrence; Pergolesi’s Magnificat, with the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Choir, broadcast on ABC Classic FM, both under the direction of Dr. Neil McEwan; Mozart’s Requiem (KV626); J.S. Bach’s Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (BWV43) with the Grazer Domkantorei, Austria; J.S. Bach’s Ein’ Feste Burg (BWV80) with the Sydney Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble, under Dr. Neal Peres Da Costa, and the Royal College of Music, London, Early Music Ensemble; Abraham in Britten’s Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac; Haydn’s Nelson Mass; Britten’s Choral Dances (from Gloriana); Rossini’s La Petite Messe Sollenelle; Händel’s Messiah in the Sydney Town Hall; Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9; Orff’s Carmina Burana; Diabelli’s Pastoral Mass; and workshopping the role of Aeneas from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas with members of the Guildhall School of Music, London. Pascal has also performed in the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, productions of Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor; in the role of Comus in King Arthur; as a trio member in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti; and the role of Il Podesta in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera.

Alex Knight Bass 2011 & 2012

In 2011 young baritone Alexander Knight was in his final year of Vocal Performance Studies with Maree Ryan, Chair of Vocal Studies and Opera, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has recently performed with many Australian ensembles in venues around NSW and the ACT, including the Penrith Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist, and the Song Company. In 2011, he was a soloist for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's opening season performances of Grieg's Peer Gynt under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy, and a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with Manly-Warringah Choir, and also at Christ Church St. Laurence. Recently, he played the principal role of the Gamekeeper in Sydney Chamber Opera's production of Janacek's The Cunning Little Vixen.

Alexander has performed prominent roles in many large productions, including Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Britten’s Rejoice In The Lamb, Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers, and Nicolai’s opera Die Lustigen Weiber Von Windsor as a principal artist. He also had the pleasure of performing as soloist in the world premiere of Matthew Orlovich’s Communion of Reparations.

Alexander plans to continue performing whilst undertaking post-graduate Opera Studies at the Sydney Con after his graduation in 2011.

Jenny Liu Soprano 2011

Soprano Jenny Liu began singing at the age of 15, and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, specialising in the development of a solo operatic and concert career. She is under the tutelage of Maree Ryan, Chair of the Vocal Studies and Opera Unit.

Jenny has had success in Eisteddfods, specifically the McDonald’s Performing Arts Challenge where she placed in both the Art Songs, and Female Voices sections. She has also been a finalist in the highly competitive Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Scholarship in 2007 and 2009, winning the Marja Baudish award in 2009. Jenny has performed many solo recitals, including live national broadcasts on 2MBS-FM and ABC Classic FM, the Sydney Lights Festival, Sydney Conservatorium Open Day, Schubert Society, and in 2008, Jenny was chosen to perform as the soloist on a regional recital tour alongside Mr David Miller A.M., and the Glazunov String quartet.

In addition, Jenny has also performed with renowned pianists Joshua Tsai, Simon Kenway and Clemens Leske Jr. Jenny has been involved in various opera and chamber opera productions, including chorus for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s mainstage production of Nicolai’s Die Lustige Weiber von Windsor and performing the title role in Schumann’s Der Rose Pilgerfahrt in 2010. Jenny has also performed as the soprano soloist for many concerts, including About Bach and Christmas, a concert involving the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Early Music Ensemble with guest artists from the Royal Northern College of Music, London, conducted by Neil McEwan A.M, Haydn Mass in F, and Mozart Requiem in D Minor with the Conservatorium High School, conducted by Carolyn Watson.

Jenny has also had the pleasure of performing as the soprano soloist in the world premiere of Matthew Orlovich’s Communion of Reparations.

In each year from 2008-2011, Jenny has been awarded the highly prestigious Helen Myer Merit Scholarship.

Celeste Haworth Mezzo soprano 2011

Celeste is a 25-year-old mezzo soprano whose dream is to pursue an international opera and concert career, and to reach out to as many people as possible through her singing. Celeste has completed a Bachelor of Music Studies, an Advanced Diploma of Opera at the Sydney Conservatorium, and at the close of 2010 completed her postgraduate opera course (Diploma of Music- Opera) with the same institution. Celeste has supplemented her education with language study in Florence and Vienna.

Celeste's major operatic roles include Frau Reich in Die Lustigen Weiber Von Windsor (Nicolai), Madame Rosa in Il Campanello (Donizetti), Tamerlano in Tamerlano (Handel), Sally in A Hand of Bridge (Barber), Deuxieme Commere in Angelique (Ibert), The Maid in Hin Und Zuruck (Hindermith), Bertarido in Rodelinda (Handel ), La Marchande in Les Maremelles de Tiresias (Poulenc) and the honor of both Florence Pike and Nancy Waters in Albert Herring (Britten).

Celeste has been awarded the Henderson Travelling Scholarship, the Radiminski and Meranda langauge prizes, was fortunate enough to be one of six finalists in the 2010 Opera Foundation German Scholarship-Award, and one of ten semi-finalists nationwide for the 2008 Australian Singing Competition (Mathy Awards). In 2008 -2010, Celeste has been nominated for the Joan Carden Award, has been a place winner in the City of Sydney Eisteddfod, as well as Warringah Eisteddfod Champion and Aria Winner. During her studies, Celeste has also been a finalist in the Dame Joan Society Eisteddfod Gala, and received an Order of Australia (Youth).

James Pensini 1^st Trumpet 2011 & 2013

James Pensini is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he studied trumpet with Bruce Hellmers and conducting with Henryk Pisarek.

Career highlights include touring as Lead Trumpet with the Australian Youth All-Star Big Band to the United States of America including performances at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival. Touring as Associate Principal Trumpet with the Sydney Youth Orchestra to Spain and Portugal and touring as Associate Principal Trumpet with the Australian Youth Orchestra in their 50th anniversary year tour of Europe. James was for many years the Principal Trumpet of the Sydney Youth Orchestra and SBS Youth Orchestra.

James is a passionate music educator and is currently the Conductor of the Sydney Youth Orchestra - Wind Orchestra and Head of Brass, Woodwind and Percussion/Director of Bands at St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point.

Owen Morris 1st & Solo Trumpet 2014

Owen is currently in his second year studying a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the teaching of Leanne Sullivan. He is in receipt of a full academic scholarship from the Ted and Susan Meller memorial foundation. At 20 years of age, Owen has had extensive orchestral experience including performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Sinfonia and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra on several occasions.

Owen has held the principal trumpet position with the Sydney Youth Orchestra for the past two years and is the current associate principal trumpet with the Australian Youth Orchestra for the 2014 programs. Owen has been appointed as principal trumpet with the Australian Youth Orchestra for the 2015 seasons.

Owen recently won an audition for the inaugural trumpet fellowship position with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the 2015 calendar year. This will involve working regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and performing with the Sydney Symphony Sinfonia, the training orchestra with SSO. In addition to these orchestras, Owen is involved with the following groups: Sydney Conservatorium ensembles; TOPS (The Occasional Performing Sinfonia); Sydney Brass

On top of his orchestral commitments, Owen has formed his own chamber group, Bennelong Brass. Bennelong Brass has performed on the Channel 9 ‘Today Show’ and the TEDx 2014 Sydney Conference, as well as putting on their own concerts.

Damian Arnold 2013 Tenor

Damian is currently studying a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Dr Michael Halliwell. Upon auditioning for the Conservatorium in 2010, Damian was awarded the Linda Kingsbury Jeffery Scholarship for Voice. He has a diverse performance history including lead roles in musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma and Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury. For these performances he was nominated three times for Canberra Area Theatre awards, winning Best New Talent in 2007.

2012 saw his repertoire expand, including singing the Tenor Soloist in John Peterson's Shadows and Light as well as singing the National Anthem at The Lodge on Australia Day under the invitation of PM Julia Gillard. In 2013 he performed as the Tenor Soloist in Handel's The Messiah, Gounod's St Cecilia Mass and as a featured soloist at Schubertiade 357 with the Schubert Society. He has also been a part of the Bella Voce ensemble who have presented a number of recitals in Country NSW.

Damian has spent 2013 as a Young Artist with Pacific Opera which included performing the roles of Don Basilio in Pacific Opera’s production of The Marriage of Figaro, and Almiro in The Deluded Bridegroom, as well as performances at The Supreme Court, Government House and NSW Parliament House.

Mariette Reefman since 2010 Timpani

Mariette has been involved in music most of her life, and just finished her Bachelor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, on Viola. She has played with several orchestras, including the Sydney Youth Orchestras, SBS Youth Orchestra and Sydney North Chamber Orchestra, with whom she toured to Colombia in mid 2013. While Viola is her main focus, she also enjoys singing, and playing Timpani, which she began in 2010, having been invited to do so after singing in the choir for the Messiah in 2009. She has since enjoyed exploring this different side of music making.

Tyler Wilkinson 2013 2^nd Trumpet

Tyler Wilkinson is currently a year 12 student and is a member of many local groups in the Blue Mountains. He has also been heavily involved with the Sydney Youth Orchestras for the last 3 years, in Symphonic Wind Orchestra (SWO) and will now be a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic (SYOP) in 2014. He has also recently completed this 8^th Grade AMEB exam with honours.