SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au 2016 Joseph Sambrook Scholarship recipient Shakira Tsindos working with Australian mezzo-soprano and Mentor Deborah Humble. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction...... P3 Our Program...... P4 Important Information for Applicants Eligibility Criteria...... P5 Selection Criteria...... P5 Rules...... P6 Example Application Form...... P7 Application Process - Actions to Complete Stage 1 - Application with Video Audition...... P12 Stage 2 - Live Audition and Interview...... P13 Before You Submit Checklist...... P14 Do’s and Don’t’s...... P14

Page 2 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au Melba Opera Trust is Australia’s premier scholarship program for promising young opera singers and pianists.

2014-2015 Joseph Sambrook Opera Scholarship recipient Jeremy Kleeman working with Australian soprano and Mentor, AO.

Our program prepares scholars for the rigors of an especially competitive industry, bridging the gap from tertiary study to professional opportunities. We enlist esteemed mentors from a variety of fields to help the artist learn to operate as a business. Networks and connections made during our program can have an enduring impact on one’s career and have proven invaluable for our alumni. Our alumni are establishing themselves abroad as artists at Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), Deutsch Opera (Berlin) and various young artist programs in the US. In Australia, a number of our alumni have starred in leading roles for , Victorian Opera, Musica Viva, State Opera of South Australia and performed as featured artists with the Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and Western Australia Symphony Orchestra’s. The range of disciplines and fields our scholars receive training in include: Vocal coaching, language coaching, etiquette and protocol, vocal health, financial planning, marketing, presentation and styling, media training, public speaking, accounting, negotiation, time management, performance anxiety, theatre and improvisation, movement and acting, networking, dance, application and grant writing and more. Some of the notable opera industry professionals who have worked with us as mentors in the past include: Bryn Terfel, Renée Fleming, Craig Hassell AM, Yvonne Kenny AM, Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, Simon O’Neill, Cheryl Barker AO, Peter Coleman-Wright AO and . Our program has been likened to a finishing school for university graduates ready to take their next career step. A comprehensive and challenging, yet rewarding opportunity, we wish you luck with your application and thank you for your interest.

Page 3 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au OUR PROGRAM

2015-2016 John & Elizabeth Wright-Smith Opera Scholarship recipient Nicholas Tolputt working with Deborah Humble.

Melba Opera Trust scholarships are designed to prepare promising young Australian singers and pianists for an operatic career by developing both artistic and professional business skills. There are three integrated programs that underpin this approach to operatic development with a focus on inspiring excellence, realising potential and forging careers:

Artistic Development Mentor Program Melba Artists Program The Mentor Program is critical Performance Program to the development process and Scholars receive funding to The Melba Artists Performance underwrite an individually tailored consists of a series of workshops and seminars that take place Program creates performance Artistic Development Program. opportunities for scholars to This program is designed at in Melbourne and Sydney over the course of the year. It equips put their learning into practice. the beginning of the year in Performances range from large consultation with the selection scholars with practical career skills. concerts in metropolitan and panel and is periodically reviewed. regional venues, to intimate Programs are required to address National and international experts private gatherings and special a balance of vocal development, are enlisted as Mentors to share events. The objective of this languages, stagecraft, movement their expertise and cultivate program is to provide regular and professional development an informed understanding of performance opportunities for activities. To deliver the individual the industry. On top of audition scholars to facilitate experience programs, singers and pianists preparation, vocal master classes, as a freelance artist. Through this nominate their preferred service private coaching and industry program, scholars will learn how providers and Melba Opera Trust discussions, the Mentor Program to plan and execute their own assists by enlisting coaches from also helps singers and pianists to performances, gain experience in the country’s top opera companies develop as freelance artists. interacting with an audience and and educational institutions. have the opportunity to raise their performance profile.

Page 4 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Australian soprano and Mentor Emma Matthews working with 2014-2015 Ruskin Opera Award & Margaret Schofield Opera Scholarship recipient, Nikki Hill.

The Melba Opera Trust program is designed for singers and pianists that have completed their academic studies and are establishing themselves as young professionals in the opera industry. As such it is not practical for formal tertiary studies to be undertaken concurrently with this program. Melba Opera Trust invests $80,000 per scholar across three programs: the individualised Artistic Development Program (including a $10,000 cash grant) participation in the Mentor Program and Melba Artists Performance Program. Funding is to be used within Australia for programs of study approved by Melba Opera Trust and is conditional on attendance at Mentor Programs and participation in Melba Artists Performance Program. Repeat scholars may be considered exempt from certain aspects of the Mentor Program in recognition of prior learning. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 1. Melba Opera Trust invites applications from singers and pianists who will be aged 21-28yrs in 2017, who have completed or will complete by 2017 an undergraduate degree in performance, voice or equivalent program of operatic/vocal/piano studies. 2. For singers who demonstrate dramatic vocal potential the age limit will be extended to 30yrs. In this instance, applicants must also include a letter of reference from a vocal expert confirming their dramatic potential. Similar consideration will also be given to those applying without the above tertiary qualifications. 3. For singers applying to the Harold Blair Opera Scholarship for Indigenous classical singers, the age limit is extended to 35 years. 4. Applicants must be Australian citizens. SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants should be aware that the quality of application documents, live audition and interview will be equally considered in the selection process. Applicants must demonstrate: • Outstanding operatic potential • A high level of language skills, interpretation, stagecraft and musicianship • Availability for Mentor Program sessions and Melba Artists Performance Program • Dedication and commitment to carrying forward their operatic development • The ability to self-motivate and be organised • The potential to be an ambassador for Melba Opera Trust

Page 5 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

2016 scholar, mezzo-soprano Shakira Tsindos.

RULES • Decisions of the panel are final and applicants agree to accept the outcome. There is no forum to challenge or appeal the decision on any ground whatsoever, nor is feedback given. • No communication or attempt to communicate by or on behalf of an applicant with any member of the selection panel will be permitted. • Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. • The applicant is responsible for ensuring the permission of their referees to provide contact details. • Successful applicants must use the funds in Australia. • Scholarship funds are to be expended in the 2017 calendar year. Unused funds must be remitted back to Melba Opera Trust. • In submitting an application, the applicant certifies that the information contained in the application form and the documents submitted is all true and correct and is not misleading or deceptive and that no material information has been omitted or deleted. • It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all attached files and links are provided in the appropriate file type and links are functioning. Should any links to audition material be password protected it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide that password with the link. • Melba Opera Trust reserves the right not to award any or all scholarships in any given year.

Page 6 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au EXAMPLE APPLICATION FORM PERSONAL DETAILS Given Name/s: Surname:

Home Address: State: Postcode:

Postal Address (If different): State: Postcode:

This example application form Mobile Phone: Email: is a guide only. Questions are subject to change. The official form will be available Age at 01/01/2017: Voice Type: online via melbaoperatrust.com.au to complete and submit from 1 September to 30 September. Intended state of residence in 2017:

2017 Commitments (eg. existing contracts, travel commitments etc.):

Please outline any commitments for 2017 that may impact on your involvement in the Melba Opera Trust program. This will not exclude you for consideration of a scholarship, however failure to disclose this information could result in disqualification from the program. Are you currently applying for any other programs/courses of study/young artist programs that will commence in 2017? YES NO If YES, please provide details:

Are you applying for any other scholarship support for 2017? YES NO If YES, please provide details:

Are you applying for the Harold Blair Opera Scholarship for Indigenous classical singers?* YES NO *Applicants to the Harold Blair Opera Scholarship: please note that this scholarship is only available to people identifying as Indigenous Australians. If you are recognised as such within the community, please provide a Statutory Declaration (see below) to that effect. This eligibility requirement is not intended to cause offense. Rather, it is to ensure that dedicated funding supports Indigenous artists.

Page 7 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au EXAMPLE APPLICATION FORM PERSONAL DETAILS (CONT.) Please include a 200-word performance biography and a repertoire list here:

VIDEO AUDITION PIECES (ONLY REQUIRED FOR VOCAL APPLICANTS) Your unedited video should include two contrasting pieces in different languages featuring at least one aria. Art song, oratorio and operetta are permitted. All pieces should be performed by memory with piano accompaniment in a studio setting. Quality is important. Please refer to the Checklist on page 13 for tips on how to present your video audition.

Piece 1 Piece 2 Title & Opera/Oratario (if applicable): Title & Opera/Oratario (if applicable):

Composer: Composer:

Genre (aria, art song etc): Genre (aria, art song etc):

Link: Link:

Page 8 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au EXAMPLE APPLICATION FORM WRITTEN RESPONSE 1. What do you currently identify as being key challenges to your development and how do you plan to meet these challenges?

2. Outline how you would like your career to progress over the next 5 years including specifics around particular scholarship/competitions/development programs/companies that you hope will aid in this progress. Include the reasoning behind your preferences.

3. What does the expression “in order to succeed in opera you need to be more than a voice” mean to you?

Page 9 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au EXAMPLE APPLICATION FORM WRITTEN RESPONSE (CONT. FOR PIANISTS ONLY)

1. What role does being a repetiteur play in helping to prepare singers?

2. Outline your interest in pursuing a career as a repetiteur.

Page 10 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au EXAMPLE APPLICATION FORM PROFESSIONAL REFEREES Referee 1 Name: Phone:

Role in Industry: Relationship to Applicant:

Referee 2 Name: Phone:

Role in Industry: Relationship to Applicant:

ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROPOSAL Please complete the following Artistic Development Program proposal below to the value of $10,000. Proposals should include a balance of: • Vocal/Instrumental Development (eg: singing lessons, vocal coaching, masterclasses) • Languages (eg: foreign language classes, private language coaching) • Stagecraft and movement (eg: acting classes/coaching, Feldenkrais, performance physiotherapy, Alexander Technique, dance, gesture) • Professional development (eg: headshots, media training, website creation, performance psychology, audio recordings, purchase of music scores and performance attire)

Description of Training Suggested Providor Duration Total Cost Singing lessons John Smith 25 hours $2500.00 Italian Course Ciao Tutti 20 weeks $1700.00

Page 11 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au APPLICATION PROCESS - ACTIONS TO COMPLETE

2014 scholars with bass- Teddy Tahu-Rhodes (back) and Artistic Advisor and repetiteur, Sharolyn Kimmorley AM.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION WITH VIDEO AUDITION (VIDEO SUMBISSIONS ARE REQUIRED FROM VOCAL APPLICANTS ONLY. PIANISTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR LIVE AUDITION BASED ON THEIR WRITTEN APPLICATION) Applications close at midnight on 30 September 2016. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after this time will not be accepted. 1. Prepare a zipped file containing: • Completed APPLICATION FORM from website • Your CV – please include the following: • Tertiary Study – full details of all courses completed/in completion, including name of course, name of institution and campus, duration (years) and year completed/completing • Professional or musical experience – dates and organisations • Any other training undertaken (including language courses) • Proof of Australian Citizenship and age – please include a copy of a passport or birth certificate, or a similar official document, which confirms date and place of birth. • Scanned reference letter confirming dramatic vocal potential (if applicable). • Scanned or photographed Statutory Declaration (for Harold Blair Opera Scholarship applicants). Please note: all files provided in the zip file should ONLY be in PDF or JPG format. 2. Upload audition video to Youtube, Vimeo or Dropbox (only required for vocal applicants). If these are saved as private recordings, please provide the password for panellists to access. Inclusion of a link is part of the application form. A short list will be established from the video recordings received. It is in the applicants’ interest to ensure that the visual and sound quality of the recording appropriately reflects their capabilities. All performances are to be from memory. Once your application is complete, use the CHECKLIST to ensure all areas have been fulfilled before making your online submission. Successful applicants will advance to Stage 2 of the selection process and be invited to present a live audition and interview in Melbourne. Please check our website for dates at the time of making your application.

Page 12 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au APPLICATION PROCESS - ACTIONS TO COMPLETE

2016 scholars Daniel Carison, Bronwyn Duoglass and Zoe Drummond.

STAGE 2 - LIVE AUDITION AND INTERVIEW Live auditions and interviews will take place in Melbourne and will be conducted in front of a selection panel of industry experts. Melba Opera Trust will notify all applicants advancing to Stage 2 of the date, time and venue details. For vocalists: • An accompanist will be provided for interstate applicants. • Applicants residing in Victoria are expected to provide their own accompanist. • Live audition applicants will be required to provide a list of three audition pieces and an electronic copy of their music for the selection panel prior to the audition date. • At least two of these pieces must be operatic arias. Art song, oratorio and operetta are permitted. • Each of the three pieces should be in a different language. • At least one of the audition pieces should be from your video audition. • Once repertoire has been submitted, no changes will be allowed. • Applicants should be prepared for a short coaching to be incorporated into the audition process. For pianists: Melba Opera Trust will notify all candidates of the outcome of their written application. Those advancing to a live audition will be advised of the date, time and location. • Auditions for pianists may be possible in Sydney or Melbourne • Applicants who successfully qualify for a live audition will be sent excerpts to play. Pianists will be required to sing vocal lines. • Applicants should be prepared for a short coaching session to be incorporated into the audition process.

Page 13 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

2015 Amelia Joscelyne Memorial Award recipient Morgan Balfour with Italian soprano and Mentor, Daria Masiero.

CHECKLIST

I have read INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS in the Scholarship eBrochure

I have filled in all required areas of the SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

I have included in a zipped file (max. 10MB), ready for upload, the following:

 my completed APPLICATION FORM

 my CV

 a scanned copy of passport or birth certificate, or a similar official document, which confirms date and place of birth as PROOF OF AGE/CITIZENSHIP

 a scanned reference letter confirming dramatic vocal potential (if applicable)

 a scanned or photographed Statutory Declaration (for Harold Blair Opera Scholarship applicants)

I have prepared my video application ready for upload to Youtube, Vimeo or Dropbox and have adhered to the ‘DO’S & DON’T’S’ to prepare my audition footage. (Not required for pianists) DO’S & DON’T’S Video Audition: DO ensure that your video is framed as demonstrated in the below image: Acceptable: Not acceptable:

Submission: DON’T attempt to submit your application after 30 September. Applications will not be accepted after this date. Melba Opera Trust will acknowledge the receipt of your application by email.

Page 14 of 15 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION www.melbaoperatrust.com.au www.melbaoperatrust.com.au