Emerging Artist Program

Eleanor Madonna Adeney, Alto & Violinist, is Co-Founder and Director of Brisbane’s professional choir, One Equal Music, and was formerly a chorister at St John’s Cathedral and St Stephen’s Cathedral before being recently appointed Director of Music at the Brisbane Oratory. Eleanor is in demand as an Oratorio Soloist with recent engagements including Handel’s Messiah, Rachmaninov Vespers, and excerpts from the Mozart Requiem with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Eleanor balances out her time spent singing in churches by regularly performing in session orchestras for festivals and popular artists such as Michael Bublé and Delta Goodrem.

bio to come

Eliza Bennetts O’Connor is a Melbourne-based soprano praised for her ‘sweet and delicate tone.’ She has performed with companies such as Victorian Opera, iOpera, e21, Bons Ventos Baroque, Victoria Chorale and is a core member of St. James Old Cathedral Voices. As a passionate chamber musician, Eliza is delighted to be one of the 2024 Emerging Artists with The Song Company. Her recent performance highlights include Soprano Soloist in the Vivaldi Gloria, Cupid in Venus & Adonis, Belinda in Dido & Aeneas, Tytania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stonnington’s Opera in the Park, and the 2024 Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria Competition. Eliza is a First-Class graduate of The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music.

Josephine is an emerging soprano, educator and choir director currently based in Sydney and has recently graduated from Sydney Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music Education. She has performed roles with Rockdale Opera Company (Die Fledermaus), Hayes Theatre Company (A Little Night Music) and Concordia Ensemble (The Fairy Queen), and as a chorister performs regularly with the Choir of St James King Street and Cantabile Choir. In 2023 Josephine was fortunate enough to perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in their performance of Eriks Esenvald’s Passion and Resurrection as a soprano soloist. When she isn’t performing, Josephine enjoys yodelling with and conducting the Sydney Swiss Yodellers, and teaching voice lessons and choir at various Sydney schools.

Marjorie is an actor and soprano from Naarm/Melbourne who balances a diverse performance career of dynamic, ensemble led creative work. Highlights have included choreographing a Comedy Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe and bringing Jane Austen to life in a new, immersive theatre piece By Janes' Hand. After a sold-out season, By Janes Hand will be remounting in July at Lamamma Courthouse with the original cast. Marjorie holds a Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) from Newcastle conservatorium and is currently a standing member of Alta Collective, Divisi and Choral Edge.

Annika is a versatile artist who recently returned to the stage after leaving her position as Assistant Director of Music at Brisbane's Cathedral of St Stephen in 2022. She has since excelled as a soloist, performing in acclaimed works including Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation and Orff's Carmina Burana. In addition to being a Song Company Emerging Artist for Superbloom and The Stars Turn, in 2024 Annika will sing three roles with Voxalis Opera in Brisbane: ‘Dew Fairy’ and ‘Sandman’ in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, and ‘Pleasure’ in a staging of Handel's oratorio The Triumph of Time and Truth.

Jack Jordan is a Melbourne-based classical musician. He began his training with the Australian Boys Choir, to which he owes his dedication and love for music. Jack has performed across Victoria in opera, concert performances and recitals with some of the country’s premier organisations & companies. Jack holds both a Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) and a Graduated Diploma in Music (Opera Performance) from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Alex Owens is a Naarm-based baritone and composer passionate about recital and consort singing. With pianist Lily Begg, they have performed recitals in Melbourne and Bendigo, and with Dr. Elyane Laussade featured as her Rising Star in her 2022 salon recital series. Alex holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, where they studied with Dr. Stephen Grant, and is currently studying with Roger Howell. In Melbourne, you’ll find them singing with Divisi Chamber Singers, the Consort of Melbourne and Polyphonic Voices. Find out about upcoming appearances at www.owensmusic.com.au. 

Bailey Montgomerie is an emerging performer, musical and artistic director, and a fierce advocate for the development of local Australian creative arts and artists. In his creative practice, Bailey prioritises the commissioning, development, and performance of new and innovative works. As co-director of Divisi Chamber Singers, he regularly commissions new creative works from emerging and under-represented composers, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community. He brings this passion into other contracts as a freelance conductor.

Bailey is also a practiced chamber musician and choral singer, having appeared with the Consort of Melbourne, Polyphonic Voices, Astra Chamber Choir, and, of course, with his own ensemble, Divisi.

On the operatic stage, Bailey has performed with some of Melbourne’s premier opera companies and as a guest soloist in the Melbourne Conservatorium's production of Gianni Schicchi. 

Anish Nair’s love for music began as a chorister with the Australian Boys Choir, whilst studying piano and later tuba. After his 1st of six seasons with the National Youth Choir of Australia, he further dove into the choral scene, and is currently a freelance tenor having toured with numerous choirs around Australia, including the Australian Chamber Choir, Polyphonic Voices, and Divisi Chamber Singers. He has also had the opportunity to work closely with renowned artists such as David Hill, Joe Hisaishi, and John Rutter. He currently performs with and manages Fiore Chamber, who has commissioned over 10 Australian composers since 2023, and is also Manager of the National Youth Choir of Australia.

Jesse van Proctor is a Sydney-based consort singer, producer, and soloist. He is in demand as an ensemble singer, working regularly with many of Australia’s major professional vocal groups. 
He is a Song Company Emerging Artist for "Fire Songs and Madrigals", and is a recipient of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Young Mentorship Program, performing regular engagements with the prestigious ensemble. In a solo capacity he has worked with Phoenix Choir Blue Mountains, performing the bass solos in Scarlatti’s Dixit Dominus.

Program Details

• The Song Company is looking for early-career ensemble singers to join 2025 its Emerging Artist Program

• Six Emerging Artists (SSATBarB) will be engaged as understudies for each of The Song Company’s major performance projects in 2025

• Emerging Artists will be paid professional rates.

• Flights, accommodation and per diems will be paid to artists from interstate

• Emerging Artists must be available for the entire project period, as set out in the timetable. However, artists do not have to be available for each project to be considered for the program

• Other program opportunities are likely to arise during the year and dedicated Emerging Artist performances and collaborations will be added as the program develops

Program Details

• The Song Company is continuing its engagement with singers who are still studying but are looking to increase their ensemble performance skills

• Apprentices will be invited to Sydney in July 2025 for an intensive week of one-voice-per-part ensemble singing, masterclasses and skills development with The Song Company and special guest artists

• Apprentice activities will be at no charge to participants. Flights, accommodation and per diems will also be paid to Apprentices from interstate

• Applications are due to open in early 2025.