Donna Balson Leads Adjudicators in 2026 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition
IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition announces that Australian singer and vocal coach Donna Balson will be their 2026 National Adjudicator. Entries for the competition open on 6 February 2026.
Donna Balson spent over three decades in Germany and the United States, performing as a soloist in opera and concert in repertoire ranging from Bach through Verdi to Nono with international ensembles and opera companies including the Prague Symphony, the Residentie Orchestra Den Haag, Ensemble Modern, Canterbury Opera, Opera Australia and Opera Frankfurt. Her repertoire highlights include Angelina in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Leonora in La Forza del Destino, the title role in Tosca, and the Verdi and Mozart Requiems.
Alongside her singing career, Donna has an extensive resumé as an opera coach and voice teacher, working as a visiting coach with major performing companies and preparing singers for leading roles at houses such as Opera Frankfurt, La Scala, and the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Now based in Sydney, she teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium and maintains a busy private studio working with many of Australia’s leading professional singers.
Key dates for the 2026 competition
ENTRIES
Friday 6 February 2026 – Entries open
Friday 13 March 2026 – Entries close
Monday 16 March 2026 – Closing date for Late Entries (Late Fees Apply)
HEATS
Monday 20 April 2026 / Heats: Sydney
Tuesday 21 April 2026 / Heats: Sydney
Wednesday 22 April 2026 / Heats: Melbourne
Friday 24 April 2026 / Heats: Perth
Sunday 26 April 2026 / Heats: Brisbane
SEMI-FINALS
Thursday 13 August 2025 / Semi-Finals Workshop
Friday 14 August 2025 / Semi-Finals Private Adjudication
Sunday 16 August 2025 / Semi-Finals Public Concert
MASTERCLASS
Monday 17 August 2025 / MasterClass for Finalists
FINALS
Thursday 8 October
