The Opera Queensland Young Artist Program provides artists at the beginning of their careers exceptional opportunities to develop their craft and participate in the creation of productions to the highest standard. 

The Opera Queensland Young Artist Program was reignited in 2020 thanks to a generous bequest from two patrons, Lois Schultz and June Wheeler.   

Recent alumni, including Eleanor Greenwood, Nina Korbe, Sofia Troncoso and John Rotar are now enjoying performance opportunities with national and international companies.   

The Young Artist Program is open to singers, composers, pianists and directors, who participate in a broad range of activities to develop their professional experience. 

Opera Queensland’s Artistic Director, Patrick Nolan, celebrates the reigniting of the program, saying, “Careful, thoughtful development of young artists is vital to the sustainably of the artform. We are enormously grateful to Lois and June and the Frazer Family Foundation whose generosity underwrites the program.”

Narelle French, Opera Queensland’s Head of Music, one of Australia’s most respected pianists, vocal coaches and musicians celebrates the benefits of the program. “Seeing our young artists flourish through the development and performance opportunities Opera Queensland’s Young Artist Program offers is incredibly rewarding.”   

In 2025 the members of the program are Elizabeth Cooper, Megan Kim, Daniel Kramer, Lachlann Lawton, Eugene Lynch, Emma Nightingale, Aylish Ryan, Madeleine Stephens, Connor Willmore and Jia-Peng Yeung. 

“As a Young Artist I received many performance opportunities, had access to industry experts who helped me hone my craft and opened the path for me to sign with an agent.” – Virgilio Marino