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IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition

@aussingcomp

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Australasia's richest competition for Opera and Classical singing featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship. By the Music & Opera Singers Trust (Most®)

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Truely no words can express this life changing moment. Being named the 2026 Winner of the Australian Singing Competition is something I, with an army of support, have been working towards for four years- from two years of being a volunteer, a reserve and finally a winner!

Singing with the @operaaustralia orchestra was a bucket list experience!

Thank you so much to @sydneycon for all the training!

Thank you so much to my family, friends, the exceptionally talent finalists, all the members of the panel and the national adjudicator Donna (thank you for putting your trust in me), my wonderful boyfriend @tom.d.bruce, my wonderful singing teacher Maree Ryan and the Australian Singing Competition for making this life changing event happen. There are so many more people to thank who have supported me and I couldn’t have done it alone! 🫶

Dress by @milivineboutiqueofficial
Hair by @hairbyzoebea

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Congratulations to Hannah Burton, winner of the 2026 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition! ✨

The 25-year-old soprano from New South Wales received the AU$30,000 Marianne Mathy Scholarship at the Finals Concert on Thursday 8 October at The Concourse, Chatswood.

The energy in the concert hall was electric, as all five finalists brought tremendous artistry and presence to the stage. Alongside Hannah’s winning moment, we celebrate her fellow finalists who received the following recognition:

⭐ Sky (Haneul) Kim: Royal Northern College of Music Award
⭐ Emily Davis: Haas German Mentorship Award
⭐ Leyland Jones: Canadian Vocal Arts Institute Montreal Scholarship
⭐ Aylish Ryan: Perth Symphony Orchestra Prize

All five finalists performed with the @operaaustralia live Orchestra, conducted by Professor Dr Nicholas Milton AM, and will progress directly to the final audition round for the 2027 Opera Australia Young Artist Program.

Since 1998, IFAC Chairman and Founder Dr Haruhisa Handa AO has underwritten the Finals Concert, giving generations of emerging singers the opportunity to perform on a professional stage.

Administered by the Music & Opera Singers Trust (MOST), the competition connects young classical singers with scholarships, overseas study and professional mentorship. These opportunities reflect IFAC’s commitment to supporting artists as they build their careers in Australia and globally.

Bravo to all five finalists! Swipe to celebrate their performances and Hannah’s winning moment.

Photography: WinkiPoP

#IFAC #IFACHanda #AustralianSingingCompetition #OperaAustralia #EmergingArtists

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Discover the next generation of opera stars at the 2026 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Finals Concert.

Hear Australasia’s finest young singers take to the stage next month, accompanied by the Opera Australia Orchestra.

For decades, the competition has been a launchpad for emerging opera and classical singers. Now, experience the remarkable voices of the finalists as they compete for their place among Australia’s rising stars.

📅Thursday 8 October 2026
📍The Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood
🎫 Tickets $50–$80

Tickets on sale now via Ticketek.

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Meet the five finalists of the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐈𝐅𝐀𝐂 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, who will perform live on 8th October for the much anticipated Finals concert! ✨

@ifac_global has proudly supported the Australian Singing Competition since 1998, helping provide young classical singers with a vibrant professional platform and the opportunity to perform with a full orchestra at the Finals.

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧, 25, NSW: currently in her final year of a Master of Music Studies in Operatic Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, with credits spanning opera, concert repertoire and Pacific Opera Studio.

𝐒𝐤𝐲 (𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐥) 𝐊𝐢𝐦, 25, NSW: a Korean-Australian soprano with a particular passion for coloratura repertoire, currently completing postgraduate Opera Performance studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬, 24, WA: a WAAPA graduate, resident artist with WA Opera Lovers and freelance musician, teacher and choir director, currently completing Honours in Classical Voice at UWA.

𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬, 23, VIC: a bass and multi-instrumentalist from southwest Victoria whose work spans opera, choral music, contemporary performance and cabaret.

𝐀𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧, 23, QLD: a 2026 Melba Opera Trust artist and Queensland Conservatorium graduate whose developing career has also included the Opera Queensland Young Artist Program and Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program.

On 8 October, the five finalists will perform two works each at The Concourse in Chatswood, accompanied by the Opera Australia Orchestra, as they compete for the Marianne Mathy Scholarship and a range of career-changing prizes and opportunities.

Congratulations to all five finalists, break a leg!

@aussingcomp @operaaustralia
 #IFAC #ASC2026 #EmergingArtists #SingingCompetition #operaaustralia

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I had an amazing time performing in the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Semi-Finals, and I am excited to announce that I was awarded the Goethe Institut Prize! ❤️

Congratulations to the incredible singers that performed! I want to express my deepest gratitude for this experience - thank you @aussingcomp , @mostlyopera , the adjudication panel, and National Adjudicator Donna Balson. 👏🎶

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On Sunday August 16th, I had the pleasure of performing in the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition's Semi-Finals concert alongside some incredibly talented colleagues.

To say the least, I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected as one of the five finalists for the competition and will be performing under the baton of Dr Nicholas Milton AM on Thursday 8th October, at the Concert Hall of The Concourse alongside the Opera Australia Orchestra.

Thank you to all the adjudicators and especially our National Adjudicator, Donna Balson, and congratulations to all the contestants who presented a spectacular performance.

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From the IFAC Handa @aussingcomp stage to the @operaaustralia Young Artist Program, we’re delighted to celebrate Laureates Jake Lyle and Sidra Nissen on their inclusion in the 2026–27 YAP cohort! 👏🎶

We’re thrilled to celebrate 2024 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Finalist baritone Jake Lyle and 2025 Mathy Winner mezzo-soprano Sidra Nissen on their selection for the prestigious YAP program.

Since 2025, the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition has proudly partnered with Opera Australia through our Opera Australia Finalist Audition Prize, giving finalists the opportunity to advance directly to the final round of auditions for the Young Artist Program.

It’s inspiring to see these outstanding young artists taking the next step in their operatic journeys — bravo Jake and Sidra!

#AustralianSingingCompetition #OperaAustralia #YoungArtistProgram #Opera #ClassicalMusic

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Standing ovation for @jakealexanderlyle 👏

At just 22, the Gladstone-born baritone made his @operaaustralia professional debut this Spring in the title role of The Phantom of the Opera at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, stepping into one of the most demanding vocal parts in musical theatre history on one of the world’s most iconic outdoor stages.

Jake’s journey to the harbour is one @ifac_global has had the privilege of supporting from its earliest chapters. In 2024, at the age of 20, Jake was selected as a finalist in the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition @aussingcomp one of the most prestigious platforms for emerging classical voices in the country. The following year, he was named Emerging Artist in Residence with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, performing on tour and making his debut at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall.

Now, only two years on from that finalist appearance, Jake takes on the Phantom himself, opposite a full orchestra rising from beneath the stage and the Sydney skyline as his backdrop.

This is precisely the trajectory that our founder and chairman Dr. Haruhisa Handa created IFAC to nurture: identifying the most promising young artists and supporting them as they step onto the world’s great stages.

Congratulations, Jake. We are beyond proud, and cannot wait to see what comes next!

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Video credit: @operaaustralia and @sunriseon7

#IFAC #HandaOperaOnSydneyHarbour #PhantomOfTheOpera #OperaAustralia #Phantom40

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Fifteen years ago, IFAC Chairman Dr Haruhisa Handa stood behind the bold vision of @lyndonterracini then Artistic Director of @operaaustralia : to stage opera in the open air on Sydney Harbour. What began as a daring idea has become one of the world’s most visually memorable cultural events.

This year’s production of @phantomopera marked the most successful sold-out run in the event’s history, marking the 40th anniversary of Phantom’s West End premiere and Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary.

“Dr Handa has been the single most significant donor in Opera Australia’s history. He’s tremendously committed to bringing the making of art to as wide an audience as possible.” ~ Lyndon Terracini

Opening night was electric. IFAC was honoured to host a private dinner welcoming esteemed guests including the Hon. Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia; the Hon. Marise Payne, former Australian Foreign Minister; and Peter Kiely, renowned New Zealand barrister.

Our congratulations to the cast and crew for a remarkable season, and thank you to every guest who joined us under the stars.

#IFAC #HandaOperaOnSydneyHarbour #PhantomOfTheOpera #OperaAustralia #Phantom40

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I am so thrilled to be presenting an intimate recital as part of the Women’s Club ‘Women in Music’ series, in collaboration with @mostlyopera ✨

I’ll be joined by the wonderful @jamie_xu13 for an evening of arias, art songs, and a touch of musical theatre on the 29th of May.

I would absolutely love to see you there! 💛

Tickets: https://www.thewomensclub.com.au/events/women-in-music-sophie-julia-29may26-public

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Platypus is outta the bag now!! Beyond stoked and honoured to be named as part of Classic FM’s Rising Stars 2026. Things just continue to go so well here in London so far! We’re on a good track and I just feel blessed! Big ups to everyone who’s supported me on my journey so far!! I’m actually 27 years old but hey! April will be coming soon! There’s a lot of yall! I am listed number 6 on the link and it’s in alphabetical order so I’m not too fussed if I was in the range of 6-7. Adding this link to my bio!

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Here, Spanish mezzo-soprano Inés López Fernández sings "Non più mesta" from Rossini's La Cenerentola.

After joining our Young Singers Project last year, Inés went on to win several major prizes at the Tenor Viñas International Singing Competition in Barcelona including:
the Ferrer Foundation Prize,
the European Opera Centre Prize
the Barcelona Obertura Prize.

Don't miss the next generation of talent at our Young Singers Project - Opera Concertante.

📍 Saint Columb’s Hall
📅 21st March
🎟️ Tickets available now

#LeFoyerDesArtistes #InesLopez #VinasCompetition #YoungSingers #InternationalFestival

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