RCM partners with Australian International Opera Awards for the opportunity of a lifetime
Friday 4 May 2018
A new partnership between the Royal College of Music and the Australian International Opera Awards (AIOI) is to provide one winner with the opportunity of a lifetime to complete their operatic studies at the world-leading RCM International Opera School in London.
The partnership between the RCM and AIOI offers full tuition scholarship, travel and living expenses to one talented singer, who will participate in a year-long programme at the RCM International Opera School commencing in September and concluding in July. This year's winner has been announced as Perth mezzo-soprano Fleuranne Brockway.
Fleuranne studied Classical Vocal Performance with Megan Sutton at the University of Western Australia and has since worked with Gregory Yurisich and attended the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School on a full scholarship. In 2017, Fleuranne joined West Australian Opera as a Wesfarmer’s Young Artist and won the National Liederfest. She is the current recipient of the Ruskin Opera Scholarship and the inaugural Annie McFarling Opera Scholarship awarded by the Melba Opera Trust. Fleuranne makes her mainstage debut with West Australian Opera in July, singing Mercédès in Carmen.
The RCM International Opera School offers operatic training at the highest level for performers from around the globe. Many graduates move into young artist schemes at some of the world’s leading opera houses, or directly into fully fledged careers. Students have the opportunity to participate in workshops and fully-staged operas with professional directors and production teams. The annual programme of events includes a popular Opera Scenes series, providing singers with additional opportunities to work with professional directors in the production of semi-staged scenes in the RCM’s own Britten Theatre.
The AIOA Music Board and RCM Head of Vocal and Opera, Nicholas Sears, select the annual winner and award the scholarship. Nicholas says: ‘Both the RCM and AIOA share a common belief in the talent and potential of young Australian singers. We are delighted to be able to provide this scholarship to one singer who clearly demonstrates outstanding ability and a determination to succeed in pursuing an international operatic career.’
The AIOA was formed as Opera Foundation Victoria in 1983 by Jeanne Pratt, AC. Since then it has funded more than 30 young Australian opera singers to study in the best opera schools in the UK and is one of Australia’s most prestigious vocal scholarships.
