Soprano Simone Easthope is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she obtained a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice and a Diploma of Opera from the Conservatorium Opera School. As part of her studies, she has performed the roles of Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, the title role in Les Mamelles de Tiresias, the title role in Angélique, Ida (Die Fledermaus), Lola (Gallantry: A Soap Opera), and Fiammetta (Prima Donna). She has had a continuing association with the Newcastle Festival Opera, for whom she has appeared as Valencienne The Merry Widow, and Despina in Così Fan Tutte, for which she was nominated for a City of Newcastle Dramatic Award. She recently won the prestigious Lady Fairfax New York Scholarship, which will enable her to undertake a period of study in New York in November 2010.

 

Simone's recent concert engagements as soprano soloist include Haydn's Nelson Mass, Carmina Burana with percussion ensemble Synergy and ChorusOz conducted by Brett Weymark, Elijah, Mozart's Requiem, and Stabat Mater by Pergolesi. Other credits include Handel's Messiah for the Radio Community Chest, for the last four years, and the Sydney University Graduate Choir, Mass in C by Beethoven with Christ Church St Lawrence Chamber Choir, Handel's Chandos Anthems with Coro Innominato, and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater with Orchestra 143. She was the soprano soloist in Carmina Burana in 2007 and in Mozart's Mass in C Minor in 2005 with the Conservatorium Choir and Symphony Orchestra. She was also the soloist for the Sydney Conservatorium Cello Ensemble, singing Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 by Villa-Lobos. Simone performs regularly in chamber music concerts around Sydney and NSW. 

 

She is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Geoffrey Rothwell Scholarship, The Women's College Music Scholarship, the Helen Myers donation account, the Kia-Ora Stud Music grant, and the Margaret Henderson scholarship, and was included on the Dean's list of distinguished achievers in 2004 and 2007. 
 
She has supplemented her vocal training with intensive studies in language over the past five years, and has travelled to Florence, Italy, and Munich, Germany, making important contacts for her future career. She has also been a prize-winner in numerous eisteddfodau, including the McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge, and was a finalist in the Audi German Opera Scholarship for 2009 and 2010.

 

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