Young and Developing Artists

Jason Barry-Smith

Director of the Young and Developing Artist Programs

Background: Studied at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the Musikhochschule in Munich. Was a Young Artist at Rome Opera. Recipient of the Queensland Conservatorium Medal for Excellence (1991), Marianne Mathy Scholarship (1992) and Opera Foundation Australia’s Italian Opera Award (2001). For Opera Queensland: Handsome in The Girl of the Golden West, Count Danilo Danilowitsch in The Merry Widow, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Gabriel von Eisenstein and Doctor Falke in Die Fledermaus, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Schaunard in La bohème, Cristian in A Masked Ball, Doctor Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Dancairo and Moralès in Carmen, Marullo in Rigoletto, Dandini in Cinderella, Bird Seller in Sweeney Todd, Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, Mathieu in Andrea Chénier, title roles in The Barber of Seville and Don Giovanni. Revival Director for the chamber opera Hansel & Gretel. Co-created and performed in the concert productions The Food of Love, Waltzing Our Matilda. Director of the Young Artist Program. Performed at Sunset Opera. Other engagements: Title role in Billy Budd (Brisbane Biennial Festival of Music), Mathieu in Andrea Chénier, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore (State Opera of South Australia), Julian in Quartet, Mamoud in The Death of Klinghoffer, title role in The Barber of Seville (NBR New Zealand Opera), Enjolras in Les Misérables (Wellington Operatic), Tony in West Side Story (Brisbane Festival), Major-General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance (Essgee Entertainment), and appeared in Carmen (Opera 21, Belfast). Concert repertoire: Haydn’s Paukenmesse, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St Matthew Passion, St John Passion and Christmas Oratorio, Fauré’s Requim. Upcoming engagements: Pish-Tush in a new production of The Mikado (Opera Queensland).

2012 Young Artists

Heru Pinkasova – soprano

Background: Studied at The University of Queensland graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Voice/1997). Currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Opera Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with Margaret Schindler. Awarded first prize in the North Queensland Concerto and Vocal Competition (2002). Recipient of the Dante Alighieri Scholarship (2002) and Regional Arts Development Fund Grant in Cairns (2000). Lived in the Czech Republic for two years where she studied with Eva Blahová and performed regularly in recitals, masterclasses and festivals in the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. Returned to Australia in 2005. For Opera Queensland: Performed in the Chorus of The Pearl Fishers, Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci, Andrea Chénier, Nabucco, Turandot, La traviata, The Elixir of Love. Performed at Opera in the Park, Sunset Opera, Opera at the Channon. Member of the Young Artist Program (2011 and 2012). Other engagements: Performed Sorella Infermiera in Suor Angelica (Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University).

Deborah Rogers – mezzo-soprano

Background: Studied at the University of Southern Queensland graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Honours/2005), and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts completing an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (2007), Graduate Diploma in Music (2008) and currently completing a Master of Music. For Opera Queensland: Understudied Dorabella in Così fan tutte. Performed at Sunset Opera, Opera in the Vineyard, Strike up the Chorus! Member of the Young Artist Program (2011 and 2012). Other engagements: Performed in the Chorus of Cavalleria rusticana, The Mikado, Peter Grimes, Carmen (West Australian Opera), Elizabeth Procter in The Crucible, Madame de Croissy in Dialogues of the Carmelites (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts). Concert repertoire: Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Mozart’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Liebeslieder-Walzer. Engagements include performing as the support artist to Michael Bublé at his Perth concerts (2008), performing with the West Australian Charity Orchestra in the Princess Margaret Hospital charity concerts (2008 and 2009), singing the role of Flora Bervoix in a concert production of La traviata at Opera at the Racecourse (2011 Brisbane Festival), and performing at the Queensland Pops Orchestra’s 2011 New Year’s Eve Concert Music Around the World. Upcoming engagements: Performing Peep-Bo in a new production of The Mikado and understudying Mercédès in Carmen (Opera Queensland).

(Deborah is proudly supported by Christa Critchley and David Siddle)

Dominic Walsh – tenor

Background: Studied at the University of Southern Queensland and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Performance/2011). Studied voice with Arthur Johnson, Mark Jowett, Margaret Schindler and Joseph Ward OBE. For Opera Queensland: Understudied Trin and Pony Express Rider in The Girl of the Golden West, Ferrando in Così fan tutte (performed in one performance), Giuseppe in La traviata, First Prisoner in Fidelio. Performed in the Chorus of The Elixir of Love, La traviata, Rigoletto, Aida, The Girl of the Golden West, Tosca. Performed at Sunset Opera, Opera at the Channon. Member of the Young Artist Program (2010, 2011, 2012). Other engagements: First Priest and First Armed Man in The Magic Flute (University of Southern Queensland), Prince Charming in Cendrillon, Jonathan in Saul (Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University). Concert repertoire: Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s St John Passion and Magnificat, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria. Has performed extensively as a member of Musica Antiqua Collegii and St Stephen’s Cathedral Choir. Upcoming engagements: Performing Nanki-Poo in a new production of The Mikado (Opera Queensland).

2012 Developing Artists

Rebecca Cassidy – soprano

Background: Born in Townsville. Currently undertaking studies in a Bachelor of Music Degree (Advanced Performance) at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Recipient of the Encouragement Award in the Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Competition (2010), the Wagner Prize (2010), the Long Tan Bursary for Academic Excellence. Also awarded second prize in the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (2010). Engagements: Merab in Saul, Noémie in Cendrillon, title role in Suor Angelica (Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University). Has appeared with numerous ensembles in concert, oratorio and symphonic repertoire, including performing as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Barrier Reef Orchestra.

Jade Moffat – mezzo-soprano

Background: Currently undertaking studies in a Bachelor of Music Degree (Advanced Performance) at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Was a finalist in The Australian Singing Competition (2009) receiving the David Harper Award, the Opera Australia Prize and the Nelly Apt Scholarship which enabled her to attend the International Vocal Arts Institute in Israel. Engagements: Fenena in Nabucco (in Tokyo), Mrs Nolan in The Medium (International Vocal Arts Institute), La zia Principessa in Suor Angelica (Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University). Concert repertoire: Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Dixit Dominus, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Handel’s Saul.

Phillip Prendergast – tenor

Background: Has been undertaking vocal studies with James Christiansen OAM for the past five years. Was a finalist in the Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Competition (2010), winner of the Alton Budd Memorial Bursary (2010). Awarded the Toowoomba Community Arts Bursary (2009). For Opera Queensland: Performed in the Chorus of Aida, The Girl of the Golden West, Tosca. Other engagements: Lun Tha in The King and I, Bill in Me and My Girl (Toowoomba Choral Society). Performed at the Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music (2011). Concert repertoire: Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise, Haydn's The Seasons.

Luke Stoker – bass

Background: Studied at The University of Queensland graduating with a Bachelor of Music (2009), and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University completing a Master of Music Degree (2011/with Dean's Commendation). For Opera Queensland: Understudied the role of José Castro and performed in the Chorus of The Girl of the Golden West. Member of the Young Artist Program (2011 and 2012). Other engagements: Prime Minister in Cendrillon, Totengräber in Der Rose Pilgerfahrt, Hymen in The Fairy Queen, Simone in Gianni Schicchi (Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University). Concert repertoire: Handel's Messiah, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Fauré and Mozart Requiems, Bach’s Magnificat, Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel. Upcoming engagements: Understudying Zuniga and performing in the Chorus of Carmen (Opera Queensland), performing in the Chorus of Turandot, La traviata and Aida (Opera Australia).

(The Developing Artist Program is proudly supported by the Frazer Family Foundation and
The Legal and Medical Chapters of Opera Queensland’s Patron Program)