IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Semi-finalists
August 16 @ 4:30 pm
Following heats around Australia, the Music & Opera Singers Trust is proud to announce the ten semi-finalists in the 2026 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition.
They are, sopranos Hannah Burton, Bridget Power and Sky Kim (NSW), Emily Davis (WA) and Kate Pengelly (VIC), mezzo-sopranos Chloe James (VIC) and Aylish Towns (QLD), tenor Ciaran McChord (WA), bass-baritone Samuel Claxton (WA) and bass Leyland Jones (VIC).
Donna Balson, National Adjudicator, together with a distinguished panel of adjudicators from across Australia, these outstanding young singers to advance to the Semi-Finals Concert, to be held on Sunday, 16 August at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney.
The selection process drew on expertise from adjudicators in each state, including Maree Ryan AM and Warwick Fyfe (NSW Heats, Sydney); Dr Stephen Grant and Stuart Maunder AM (VIC Heats, Melbourne); Emma Matthews AM and Lisa Harper-Brown (WA Heats, Perth); and Dr Paul McMahon and James Roser (QLD Heats, Brisbane).
The Semi-Finals Concert will showcase these young stars with their powerful performances and enchanting arias, bringing their own unique voice and interpretation to the stage. The event highlights the exceptional depth of talent in Australia and underscores the importance of supporting the arts and emerging artists and will feature collaborative artist Bradley Gilchrist. Semi-Finals Adjudicators Nicole Dorigo, Francis Greep, Anke Hoeppner-Ryan, and Diego Torre will assist Donna Balson, in selecting the Finalists.
The Finals Concert will be held on Thursday, 8 October at the Concourse in Chatswood.
Semi-finals concert:
When: Sunday 16 August at 4.30pm
Where: The Independent Theatre, 269 Miller St, North Sydney
Cost: Various, Student tickets available