Congratulations to Catherine Rosman who successfully auditioned
for both the classical and music theatre certificates at
WAAPA and was accepted in both courses. Well done Catherine!

Congratulations to Eva Age 8


for her Book 1
Recital which she
performed for family
and friends complete with
narrative and puppets and chorus!

April 2009 Suzuki Graduation

Students of Bernay Studio perform in
"Opera Gore" Seymour Centre Sydney 2009

Book 1 Recitals

"Give My Regards to Broadway"
September 27th 2008

Veronica Santoro (Age 19)

Sang the lead role of Mabel in the Gilbert&Sullivan Society's production of The Pirates of Penzance in 2008 at the Playhouse Theatre.

Natasha Phillips (13)
has been cast as 'Lily'for the TV series
"Trapped" filmed in Broom, Western Australia

In April many of us went to see WA Opera The Magic Flute. Here is what Maia Harlap (age 6) had to say about it: "...I liked the part when the queen of the night gave the dagger to Pamina because I like the singing, even though I was afraid.

The orchestra was playing beautifully at that part.When the queen of the night went off stage I shut my eyes and ears for the noise was too loud and it frightened me. But I liked all parts of the opera."

And Term 1 Maia completed her Book 1 Recital and has now graduated Level 1. Congratulations Maia!

Maia says "I think singing is a work of art".

March 7-9 2008 Laura performed
with her brother Diesel (aka Mark Lizotte) and Jimmy Barnes in the Lizotte family-inspired event "Breath of Life" Festival in Tasmania. Also on the program were two of her other 4 brothers, sponsorship executive Mike Lizotte and Brian Lizotte (live@lizottes) and father Hank Lizotte. The event was the brain child of Hank's to raise money for the Australian Lung Foundation . Laura's family was inspired to help raise money for research into lung diseases when her mother died of a rare illness in 2002.

Sing into Spring!
ANATS National Conference 2008
Perth, WA
was held in Perth from
September 18–21 at the height of the WA wildflower season!

Gondwana Voices also spent two days working Richard Tognetti (Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra) and Michael Yezerski (Guest Composer). Gondwana Voices are touring with the ACO in July and are developing a piece based on Shaun Tan’s picture book “The Red Tree”. We were divided up in to groups and each group was given a page of the book to interpret and then present to Richard and Michael. Richard Tognetti also played his violin for us. He played an Irish jig, Bach, Mozart and Australian Bush songs.

During the camp we also had two fun dance workshops (bush dancing and jazz dancing), swum at the local pool, went on a shopping and sight-seeing excursion, had quiz nights, went for walks to the park, had in-house concerts and auditioned for the ACO season. We also had percussion workshops in preparation for the World Premiere of “Guuramali” at the Concert at the end of the Choral Camp, which was a combined piece with Gondwana Voices, Junior Gondwana and Gondwana Chorale.

It is always such an exciting and uplifting feeling being in a Gondwana Voices Concert. Performing with Gondwana Voices is a magical and exhilarating experience. The gorgeous sounds and feelings that can be created when we sing together means that every Gondie kid wants to return because there is no feeling like it. It really is so amazing – the power of combined voices. It makes us all tingle. Singing with my friends at Gondie is an unforgettable experience. I am so glad that I decided to audition for Gondwana Voices. After one season you want to keep coming back to experience Gondie again and again.

The staff, supervisors and choristers at Gondwana Voices are so caring, fun, supportive and positive. I have loved working with and learning from Lyn Williams and Mark O’Leary. They are an inspiration. Gondwana Voices Choral Camp 2008 has been wonderful in every way and I miss my Gondie friends already!

My 2007 Opera experience!
I was lucky enough to audition and get accepted into the West Australian Opera’s Children’s Chorus for their production La Bohème in 2007. I, along with eleven other voice students sang in seven performances after five weeks of rehearsals. I had a great time learning about the theatre and all the effort put into a performance as well as getting to know what it was like being a professional singer. Watching the Opera from the start, from when it was a jumble of cast, props and costumes, to the final performance complete with the orchestra and audience was a mind blowing experience, one that I will never forget!

Liesl Age 13

More Opera Success for 2008!

Congratulations to Sam(age 12) who has successfully auditioned for the role of one of the three spirits in the
WA Opera's forthcoming Magic Flute.

Well done!

My experience at Gondwana was wonderful. I learnt so much like how to hit those high notes. I had heaps of fun and a great time. All the people at Gondwana were so friendly, nice and caring including the supervisors. I made so many friends that I am keeping contact with. On one day we went sight seeing and shopping which was great, and we walked over the bridge to the opera house. I loved all the music that we sang. I can’t wait till next year to try out again. It was a truly life changing experience.

Katie and Chloe Age 12