Reluctant singer finds his voice
A former Chairo Christian School student who was once too embarrassed to sing has been awarded a scholarship worth $54,000 to study at one of the world’ most prestigious operatic academies.
Nathan Lay was selected for an Australian International Opera Award to study at the Wales International Academy of Voice, which helps young professional singers to prepare themselves for an international career in opera. He will travel to Wales next month to begin his studies.
Nathan, who grew up in Morwell, studied at Chairo between 1999 and 2005.
He played several instruments but didn’t start singing until the end of year 11.
“I was kind of embarrassed about singing,” he told the Gazette. “Growing up in the country you just didn’t do it.
“It was only 11 years ago but it’s quite different now that TV talent shows have made singing so much more acceptable.”
It wasn’t until his older sister pushed him to audition for a Moe production of Fiddler on the Roof – he got the role – that he accepted his fate and embraced his love of singing.
Nathan completed a bachelor of music at the Melba Conservatorium of Music in 2008. He has already won several awards, including the National Liederfest, and Australian Music Events’ “Opera Scholar of the Year”, both in 2010, and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria competition in 2013.
He has performed with Opera Australia, Melbourne Opera and the Victorian Opera, where he has just completed his second year as a member of their developing artist program.
He is looking forward to studying with acclaimed tenor and director Dennis O’Neill, widely regarded as one of the best singing teachers in the world.
Announcing the scholarship, Australian International Opera Award chairman William Cowan said Nathan had a beautiful baritone quality with a distinctive tone and resonance.
“We are confident that this, together with his fierce determination and commitment to reaching his full potential, will greatly assist him to launch his career on the international operatic stage.”