Jeremy Boulton wins $30K Singing Competition

Alumnus Jeremy Boulton wins $30K Singing Competition.

The winner of the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition this year was 23-year-old Operatic Baritone Jeremy Boulton, who gave a standout performance singing “Or dove fuggo io mai” from I Puritani by Vincenzo Bellini and “Questo amor, vergogna mia” from Puccini’s lesser known work, Edgar.

In his winner’s speech, Jeremy noted that his singing journey began when he took voice lessons at 7 years old with the 2010 Marianne Mathy Scholarship Winner, soprano, Rachel Bate (who was formerly the WollCon Head of Voice). He shares with us his journey to winning the $30K prize.

“After studying at the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (whilst learning at the Wollongong Conservatorium) and graduating from the Talent Development Project as a musical theatre artist, I made the switch to opera, inspired by a week-long experience at the Opera Australia Regional Student Scholarship program.”

Jeremy Boulton

He developed a love for fine music (jazz and classical) during his high school years where he played brass but because of his love and commitment to singing,  “… I never was really able to get as far as I wanted and had to stop. I hope to return to it recreationally in my old age. I was also in a rock band with friends during that time and we wrote, recorded and produced our own extended play.”

Soon after, he enrolled in the Sydney Conservatorium where he completed a Bachelor and Masters of Opera Performance degrees.

“I loved singing lessons with Rachel Bate. She was my teacher from when I was seven years old until I left high school. We worked through all sorts of styles as different performance opportunities came my way through school performances and local eisteddfods. Rachel also helped me prepare for my audition for the Sydney Conservatorium which put me on the path to becoming an opera singer.”

What have been Jeremy’s most valuable lessons with music education?

“The importance of a good, open-minded attitude, the need for strong business acumen (for instance, making your own work when you don’t have it), extreme conscientiousness and devotion to your work.”

His advice for younger singers with similar aspirations is to first find a suitable teacher. One who you trust and connect with, and then commit to each other, working extremely hard at everything you learn in your lessons.

“There is nothing more important than putting in the hard yards consistently, for years.”

Jeremy’s $30,000 Scholarship comes with the opportunity to audition for the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s artist-development program, and the inaugural $6,250 Nicole Car Prize, which he will use to travel to Paris and be mentored by the acclaimed soprano.

“This competition has been a tremendous experience from the heats to the final. The selection process has been rigorous, challenging and rewarding, and it has given me a good taste of what hurdles I will have to jump over in an operatic career … I’d like to thank WollCon for all its support over the years for myself and the wider music community.

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.