WOMINJEKA/WELCOME
OPERA SCHOLARS AUSTRALIA
Founded in 1998 by opera singers and educators Graeme Wall OAM and Margot Cory-Wall OAM, Opera Scholars Australia is a leading development program for young classical singers who show the potential for a stage career. Based in Melbourne, OSA offers an extensive training program as well as unique and exciting performance opportunities. OSA creates a safe and respectful environment for scholars to grow and develop their craft.
Inside this like-minded community, the scholars are given opportunities to work with leading vocal coaches, movement and acting training, headshot and performance photography, videography, wellbeing education, intensives, vocal competitions and a varied performance program. OSA is committed to training the next generation of classical singers - to help preserve the proud tradition of classical singing in Australia and ensure that the stories of the future are told through the beauty of vocal music.
2027 SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications close midnight, Sunday 29th of November, 2026, with callback auditions to be held in December.
MONICA RUGGIERO
2026 OSA Recipient of The Lieder Award
Opera
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Opera 〰️ Scholars 〰️ Australia 〰️
PROGRAM AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, ALEXANDER LEWIS
Having performed around the world in both opera and musical theatre, Alexander Lewis has forged a unique career as a cross-over artist. His work with internationally acclaimed directors and conductors has helped him find a unique voice as a teacher and mentor.
His operatic and operetta performances include: Laca in Jenufa for The Santa Fe Opera; Count Danilo in The Merry Widow with West Australian Opera, Opera Australia and State Opera South Australia; John Wormley in the world premiere and return seasons of Crossing for The American Repertory Theatre in Boston and BAM’s New Wave Festival in New York; the title role of The Nose with Opera Australia, the Komische Oper Berlin, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and The Metropolitan Opera (HD Live Broadcast); Hoffmann in Les contes d'Hoffmann and Gritsko in The Fair at Sorochyntsi with the Komische Oper Berlin; Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with West Australian Opera; Flask in Moby Dick with Washington National Opera; St. Brioche in The Merry Widow (HD Live Broadcast) and Borsa in Rigoletto (HD Live Broadcast) for The Metropolitan Opera.
His musical theatre credits include: Tony in West side Story for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (Helpmann Nomination); Anatoly in Chess for StoreyBoard Entertainment; Tateh in Ragtime for The Production Company; George in Sunday in the Park with George for the Victorian Opera Company in Melbourne; Candide in Candide with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs; Enoch Snow in Carousel for Houston Grand Opera; Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera for the Really Useful Group (as well as The Phantom understudy); Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd with Opera Australia and Frederick Barrett in Titanic with Seabiscuit Productions. He has made frequent appearances on the concert platform including multiple appearances at The Bangalow Music Festival; a national tour of From Broadway to La Scala; The Messiah for Perth Symphonic Chorus; Opera by the Lakes; Petite Messe Solennelle with Philadelphia Chamber Music Society; H.K Gruber’s Gloria - A Pig Tale for The New York Philharmonic’s Festival of New Music; Dvorak’s Stabat Mater with The Omaha Symphony; The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Recital Series; The Manchester (USA) Chamber Music Festival and G’day USA in Carnegie Hall.
Click the link below to read more information about our Artistic Team and the current cohort of scholars.
WORLD CLASS TRAINING
“This program is not merely about performance opportunities, but also offers crucial fermentation time for artists with respect to vocal strength and stamina, creativity, musical choices and collaboration. My time at OSA challenged me in ways that supported my development as an artist and strongly prepared me for the industry. You’re not only given the clear framework to explore who you are and who you want to be as an artist, but actively encouraged to take artistic risks in a safe and supportive environment”
PATRONS
Yvonne Kenny AM
“Opera Scholars Australia runs a program that provides a wonderful pathway for young singers to learn their craft – to develop singers voices naturally and to assist with artistry and confidence.”
Yvonne assigns time from her busy international performance and teaching schedule to engage with the Scholars and share her skills and vast experience in the Opera Scholars Australia Masterclass programs.
The Late Betty Amsden AO
“To me young people are very important because they are our future. It gives me great satisfaction to watch the people I support and the program I make possible go forward and flourish and be the best they can be. It is the joy of knowing I am doing a little good somewhere.”
Betty Amsden AO was one of Victoria’s strongest advocates for philanthropy in the arts industry. Betty was a long time supporter of the Opera Scholars Australia program and generously donated to the Betty Amsden AO Scholarship awarded annually to the winner of the Opera Scholar of the Year competition.
Helena Dix
Helena Dix is a supporter of the Opera Scholars Australia program having adjudicated and mentored our scholars and nurtured a relationship with the organisation over many years. As an opera singer, Helena has rapidly established herself as an esteemed performer and singing teacher on both the operatic stage and the concert platform.
BOARD MEMBERS
David Pinches - Board Chair
Margot Cory-Wall OAM - Founder and Board Member
Graeme Wall OAM - Founder and Board Member
Sidra Eldridge - Board Member
Joy Pinches - Philanthropy
Program and Artistic Director
Alexander Lewis
Producer
Bec Dundas