Petah Cavallaro (QLD 2019), from remote regional Queensland has her sights set on igniting a passion for music and opera among young regional Australians.
Petah grew up in Tarzali, a tiny town with a population of 400 on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, about two hours drive inland from Cairns.
Petah is excited about her upcoming Fellowship, saying “I am about to head to New York City, USA where I will visit the Metropolitan Opera and learn with coaches there, then on to Copenhagen, Denmark where I will visit Operaen, then on the England, based at Covent Garden. While I’m England I will visit Paris where I will perform two concerts.”
“My long-term goal is to inspire; to revive people’s interest in classical music through storytelling, performance, and stage-craft. I have in my sights the very young in regional Australia.” Petah said.
Petah will investigate operatic performance practices at the highest level of excellence, which are not available in Australia, having been awarded the Mr and Mrs Gerald Fran New Churchill Fellowship to pursue excellence in opera and build international relationships with cultures in which opera thrives.
Adam Davey, CEO of the Winston Churchill Trust congratulated Petah on her Fellowship. “We recognise Petah’s talents and especially commend her on wanting to share opera and storytelling through classical performance with young people in regional Australian communities.”
“We are wish Petah a wonderful time on her travels, and look forward to her bringing her learnings back to Australia.” said Mr Davey.
Petah will attend the Royal Danish Theater and Convent Garden. She will have lessons, interviews and rehearsals with Anne Margrethe Dahl, Kirsten Buhl Moller at the Royal Danish Theatre, the Head of Opera at Convent Garden Richard Hetherington.
Petah has a strong commitment to providing high quality concerts and musical education to young people growing up in regional areas. Petah has played the violin since the age of six, and by sixteen operated a music school of over 30 students, teaching violin, guitar and singing.
