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News of our members, events and sponsored singers
News from Samantha Hargreaves in London December 2024
Read more about Samantha's year

Reports from our Melba Trust Scholars
October 2024
Syrah Torii - Eleanor Blakemore Opera Society Scholarship
I have noticed a marked improvement in my singing and performance skills already this year. … I am also feeling more and more prepared to manage a business as a singer with each module. I have been able to dive into topics I have wanted to learn more about, which aren’t always taught in a classroom. …
Having the knowledge, skills, and requisite repertoire under my belt gives me confidence that I am well-rounded and well-prepared for a career as an opera singer.
It is important as an artist to fluently and confidently articulate my thoughts and artistic processes, as well as convey important information about projects I am involved in. I believe I am at a good starting point, but have room for growth in this area. I have opportunities to practice this in our concert introductions this year.
In a profession that can be quite challenging and lonely, it is heartening to have points of contact and a support network already established in different parts of the world through being a Melba.
Aidan Hodder – Max & Jill Schultz Opera Society Scholarship
The ground-up approach to learning and making music that coachings through Melba (chiefly with Sharolyn) has instilled makes me feel like I can actually create and tell the story of my music, rather than simply replicate it. …I just feel a lot better about myself as a person being around good people who care about everyone involved and the work we do.
I would also like to start having more coachings and session with accompanists to just properly learn more repertoire. … Hopefully being able to find consistent sessions with an accompanist to properly soak up the music as well as gain some more experienced insight will help me secure these tools for my future toolbox.
The people [have been most beneficial] – both the industry professionals from every walk of life that we probably have zero contact with otherwise, and the staff who keep this giant machine running. … Everyone is just really good at their job and it gives a great sense of security.
I think their comments really demonstrate the impact of the Melba program on their training as artists. Thank you for supporting Aidan and Syrah on their journey to becoming a professional singer.
Catherine McElhone Philanthropy Manager Melba Opera Trust
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From Chloe Harris
September 2024
Chloe Harris, alumna of the Melba Trust Artist Programme and a recipient of the Eleanor Blakemore Opera Society Scholarship, has written to the Society describing her activities and successes in the UK since leaving Australia. Chloe says "I had a fantastic three years at the Royal Academy of Music and learnt a lot about myself as an artist. I received a Master of Arts in Performance, graduating with a Distinction and a DipRAM for an outstanding performance in my final recital, and then continued with the Royal Academy of Music Opera School for two years.
Two highlights for me were singing the role of ‘Nancy’ in the Academy’s production of Albert Herring by Britten, and the role of ‘Baba the Turk’ in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress..."

Our President, Sandra Rogerson, with
Samantha Hargraves in London. May 2024
Since relocating to London last September, Samantha has thrived at Guildhall School, establishing herself as an actor-singer with versatility and spirit. During her summer break she will study with Italian soprano Valeria Esposito (1987 Winner BBC Cardiff Singer of the World) for one month in Iesi, Italy, supported by Acclaim Awards.
In 2022, she participated in a two-week workshop with Valeria organised by Acclaim awards in Melbourne, Australia. This culminated in the presentation of awards to the most promising artists. She won the Acclaim Ambassadorial Prize, which comprised of six months of singing lessons in Melbourne and Italian language lessons (Italiano & Co.). Because of her vocal and language progress, Acclaim recently extended her award to include a month-long trip to Iesi, Italy, to work with Valeria daily in her home studio. They will study the roles of Susanna, Despina and Norina, as well as looking at other arias from Italian opera in preparation for her auditions in November and December.

Our President Honoured at Government House
The Committee and members of the Opera Society Inc. are delighted to congratulate President Valma Allaway on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “Service to the performing arts administration” in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
A staunch supporter of Opera in particular our president has worked tirelessly for the benefit of our society, its’ members and Opera in Victoria for many decades.
We believe that this accolade is extremely well deserved and indicates just how valuable her work, and that of the society in general, is to our community.
