CONTENT COURTESY MELBA OPERA TRUST
Melba Opera Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Siobhan Stagg to its Board of Directors. The Australian soprano will attend her first board meeting as its new director on 10 November.
“The Melba’s mission and values align closely with my own, and it’s an honour to be the first alumna to serve on the Board of Directors,” Siobhan said.
Siobhan’s relationship with Melba commenced in 2009 when she received its inaugural scholarship, the Amelia Joscelyne Memorial Scholarship. She has since developed her onstage career in Australia and overseas, where she is now based in Berlin.
Her involvement with Opera Europa’s Opera Management Course and the League of American Orchestras’ National Conference has supported her emerging interest in governance and prepared her for the Melba board appointment.
“I’ll be bringing my artistic perspectives to the table, and contributing from my first-hand experience in performance, community engagement, and fundraising.”
Siobhan will continue her international performance career, which has so far seen her perform at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, among other globally recognised institutions.
“As my career has expanded across Europe, the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Asia, I’ve witnessed differing approaches while remaining firmly connected to my roots in the Australian cultural landscape.”
Raised in Mildura, Siobhan went on to study music at the University of Melbourne and receive her four-year scholarship with Melba Opera Trust – the Melba’s longest tenure with a young opera singer – along with being the beneficiary of some of Australia’s most prestigious awards and competitions.
The increase in training and development opportunities at The Melba has been extraordinary throughout Siobhan’s decade of engagement. In 2010, its Mentor Program delivered 11 sessions to young opera singers of Australia; in 2019, this rose to 77 sessions.
“The unparalleled depth and scope of the Melba’s training program allows talented musicians to develop into accomplished and well-rounded ambassadors for the Australian arts scene,” Siobhan said.
Chair Roz Zalewski-Ruskin expressed her delight in Siobhan’s appointment.
“Siobhan has a tremendous knowledge of and experience in the performing arts, and a strong understanding of governance requirements for not-for-profit organisations. With these attributes, Siobhan will make a valuable contribution to the future of Melba Opera Trust,” Roz said.
“We look forward to Siobhan joining us at Melba events when she is in Australia, and to introducing us to valuable international networks and perspectives when she is at home in Berlin.”
Melba Opera Trust was founded on the vision of Dame Nellie Melba, who believed “a beautiful voice is not enough”. Since 2009, this charitable organisation has provided a comprehensive development program to Australia’s most promising young opera artists, focusing equally on artistic excellence and the business of opera.
Images supplied. Featured image credit Todd Rosenberg; captured above by Simon Pauly.
