All the world’s a stage for University of Queensland graduate Kathleen Parker after being selected to join the Australian Opera Studio in 2007.
Ms Parker, who holds a first-class honours degree in Music from UQ, said she was thrilled to be among the handful of artists offered a place in the prestigious program.
“It is an incredible honour to be one of five emerging young opera singers from Australia and New Zealand chosen,” she said.
“I've been challenging myself for many years to develop my skills as a performer and this certainly isn't the first thing I've ever auditioned for - I am no stranger to rejection letters, so in a way it's also vindication for many years of hard work.”
A soprano, Ms Parker majored in voice during her studies, performing lead roles in productions of The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute and Carmen.
She was also invited to present a recital at Customs House, which was recorded by 4MBS Classic FM as part of their Sunday concert series.
Ms Parker said she looked forward to making the move to Perth, where the intensive two-year program focusing on language, voice, acting and movement training would begin next month.
It won’t be the first time the singer has stepped out of her comfort zone, recently spending six months in Florence where she experienced a crash course in Italian language, culture and opera traditions.
“Going to Italy and throwing myself in the deep end with the language was one of the best things I could have done,” she said.
“I arrived knowing little more than how to count from 1 to 20 and romantic phrases I had learnt from Italian songs. I knew how to say my ‘my heart is breaking’ but not ‘which way to the bus stop?’”
As her fluency and confidence began to build, Ms Parker took singing master classes with top teachers, building networks within the European opera community.
And with Australian Opera Studio alumni appearing on famous stages around the world, Ms Parker said she was one step closer to realising her dream of an international singing career.
“There are many amazing opera houses all around the world at which I would love to perform - to name a few, La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London, and of course the Sydney Opera House,” she said.
Before relocating to Western Australia, Ms Parker will present a weekend of farewell concerts, reflecting on the songs and composers that have inspired her musical journey thus far.
Brisbane audiences can see Kathleen perform on Saturday, the 27th of January at the 4MBS Performance Studio in Coorparoo, while her Sunshine Coast concert will take place at St Mark's Anglican Church, Buderim on Sunday the 28th.
Both performances are at 3pm and accompanied by fellow UQ graduate Kristen Brown.
Media: Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)
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