How I found my rhythm as an opera singer
Con alumna Emily Edmonds
Image:聽Michelle Grace Hunder
As a high school theatre kid, Emily Edmonds found solace and inspiration in dusty rehearsal rooms and studios.
鈥淔inding my people amongst text, actions, words,鈥� she remembers, 鈥渋t was my magic; my home.鈥�
When she discovered opera, it was as if a whole new world had opened, one where her love of theatre and music could collide.
鈥淭he collision continues to be intriguing, leading me to rehearsal rooms and creative teams that inspire and challenge me,鈥� says Emily.
Emily's passion for opera led her to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. It was through her studies that she developed a deep appreciation for the art of musical collaboration.
鈥淏eing surrounded by musicians of all kinds 鈥� friends and colleagues 鈥� I was聽able to make music in a way that both held space for and fuelled my musical and personal聽growth,鈥� she reflects.
Her passion for meaningful collaboration has been the driving force behind Emily's remarkable career, propelling her to seek opportunities with leading companies worldwide. After graduating with first class honours from the Con, she was selected for the Royal Opera House鈥檚 prestigious , which allowed her to work alongside other exceptionally talented artists at Covent Garden.
From there, Emily has amassed an聽聽including ground-breaking classical and contemporary productions across Europe, the UK, the USA, and Australia. Among them, she pinpoints her performance as Varvara in Richard Jones鈥� production of Janacek鈥檚 Katya Kabanova聽as one of her most memorable.
鈥淲e experimented with contact improvisation and movement to create an extraordinarily vivid Act II finale 鈥� something I remain deeply connected to, to this day.鈥�
Her performance in Phillip Venables鈥� acclaimed Denis and Katya, which toured the UK and the United States, also stands out as a career highlight.
鈥淲ith four cellos and two singers, we made theatre-meets-opera that was bold and poignant,鈥� she reflects.
More recently, Emily has taken on a mentoring role with the Royal Opera House, supporting emerging artists as part of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme鈥檚 mentoring scheme.聽Additionally, she hosts and produces the podcast聽,聽where she explores industry insights and experiences in conversation with other artists.聽
For Emily, it鈥檚 both an honour and a responsibility to contribute to the communities that have played a central role in her own creative development.
鈥淚t鈥檚 imperative that I give back to the ecosystem of which I am a part; it鈥檚 in this way that we all grow,鈥� she emphasises.
鈥淭he more artists that are connected to self 鈥� body, mind, and spirit 鈥� the more we can create things that mean something; that have power and value.鈥�
Looking ahead, Emily's schedule is brimming with diverse artistic ventures. She will be participating in a workshop for a new piece, performing and聽assistant directing a staged Saariaho song cycle, and finally returning to her first true love鈥擬ozart鈥攊n a production of .
Emily emphatically rejects the notion that parenthood and a successful creative career are incompatible. In fact, she identifies motherhood as being a profound source of creative inspiration.
鈥淭he lessons my daughter teaches me every day about play, discovery, and the expansiveness of the present moment are more deeply impactful than any other creative聽experience could be.鈥�
For students aspiring to a career in performance, Emily offers valuable advice.
鈥淚t was at the Con that I first began to connect with what is now a guiding principle聽for me: to follow my own values, and cultivate my own vision for my life 鈥� creative and聽otherwise," she shares.聽"Always look inward, first: it is only from there that you can create with authenticity and integrity."
She encourages young artists to create their own unique journeys, embracing each obstacle as a valuable learning opportunity.
鈥淒on鈥檛 follow my path, or any other: follow yours. Find what lights you up, and pursue it relentlessly."
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Header image by聽Victoria Cadisch