Trainees 2008/09
Soprano
Verity Parker
Sarah Power
Ida Falk Winland
Mezzo
Susan Boyd
Alexandra Cassidy
Tenor
Ben Johnson
Carthaigh Quill
Jonathan Stoughton
Baritone
Nicholas Lester
Benedict Nelson
Bass-baritone
Wade Kernot
Repetiteur
Sam Hogarth
Alison Luz
Geoffrey Paterson
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Valda Wilson soprano
Valda was born in Sydney in 1982. She obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons1) at the University of Sydney in 2004 before completing a Diploma of Opera at Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2007 under the guidance of voice teacher Stephen Yalouris.
Principal roles with the Conservatorium Opera School were Rosina in La vera costanza (Haydn), Susan in A Dinner Engagement (Berkeley), Amore in Paride ed Elena (Gluck) and Geraldine in A Hand of Bridge (Barber). Other Conservatorium appearances were in Haydn's Il mondo della luna and La fedeltà premiata, and as Barbarina in scenes from Le nozze di Figaro. Valda has performed scenes as Musetta and Mimì in La Boheme, Pamina in The Magic Flute, and Blonde in Die Entführung aus dem Serail. Other full roles performed with various companies include Mabel and Edith in The Pirates of Penzance, Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, and Aline in The Sorceror.
During the past three years, Valda has regularly been a soloist in recitals throughout Sydney and regional NSW for groups such as Opera Foundation Australia, the Opera and Arts Support Group, the Joan Sutherland Society, the Schubert Society and the Royal Deaf and Blind Society. She has appeared as a soloist in both concerts and radio recitals with Pacific Opera, Orchestra-143, the Bourbaki Ensemble, the Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble and with the Sydneian Bach Choir and Orchestra.
In 2007 Valda was a finalist in the National Operatic Aria and in the City of Sydney Opera Awards, and received the Elizabeth Todd Award for Soprano Voice in the City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Further competition success has followed in 2008 including placing in the City of Sydney Opera Awards. Valda gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Ian Potter Cultural Trust, the Australian Music Foundation, the Tait Memorial Trust, the Opus 50 Charitable Trust, the Helpmann Family Trust, and the Opera and Arts Support Group. She is thrilled to be the recipient of Opera Foundation Australia's 2008 Rockend National Opera Studio London Scholarship and is extremely grateful to the Foundation for its ongoing support.
From March through September 2008 Valda plays Rosina in Opera Australia Schools' Touring Company production of Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia before joining the National Opera Studio in October.
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