2022 Finalists

Adjudicators are continually impressed by the high standard overall, and the exceptional technical ability and maturity displayed by these young musicians.






Kristin Astouroghlian

Mezzo Soprano, 27, VIC

For Kristin, singing is a way to project and reveal the emotions of characters through the language of music. She sings with joy and excitement to satisfy the listeners’ curiosity, quest for meaning and pleasure. While singing, Kristin brings forward her voice and character that has been matured throughout the progress of her thoughts and life circumstances.

The lyric mezzo-soprano became a finalist at 2022 Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship and received first prize in 2022 Boroondara Eisteddfod. She performed Ottone in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Olga in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Mopsa and Chorus in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, and prepared Rossini’s Rosina from Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Kristin holds a Bachelor of Biology, Master of Teaching, and currently studying Master of Music (Opera Performance) at Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. She is preparing to continue her journey by joining the Young Artist Opera Program in Armenia.

Jake Bigwood

Bass, 26, WA

Jake Bigwood graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with distinction, winning both the Regency and AM Parker awards for excellence, and worked with the highly sought after vocal professor and fellow Australian Raymond Connell. Jake’s final recital was deemed a “revelation” by the world renowned Lieder scholar Richard Stokes and also from Linnhe Robertson: “..an excellent vehicle for a genuine bass voice with enormous operatic potential, lyrical and resonant, technically well put together.”

Since graduating, Jake has become a Bendat scholar and Wesfarmers’ Arts Young Artist with West Australian opera and performed as Il Maestro in Prima la musica, Angelotti and Sciarrone in Tosca, and is set to create the character of The Mayor in Emma Jayakumar’s new opera Our little inventor.

For Freeze Frame Opera, Jake has performed the roles of Colline and Ashby and will take part in their regional tour of Tosca in 2023.

Jeremy Boulton

Baritone, 23, NSW

Jeremy received second prize at the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship and a TDP Mary Lopez AM Scholarship in 2022. He achieved joint first prize at the 4th Fresno State Art Song Festival and accepted the Demant Dreikurs Lieder Competition scholarship in 2020. In 2017, he received an Opera Australia Regional Student Scholarship.

Roles include Marcello (La Bohème) for Musica Proibita in Bergamo, Italy, Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) and Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) for Sydney Conservatorium, Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Secret Police Agent (The Consul) and Death (Sāvitri, Holst) for The Cooperative, Uberto (La serva padrona, Pergolesi) for Opera in Wollongong and Æneas (Dido & Æneas) for Gondwana Choirs. Concert work includes solos in Messiah and Messe di Minuit (M.A. Charpentier) for Argyle Orchestra. Hobart, Dixit Dominus (Händel) for Sydney Conservatorium and Requiem (Mozart) in Wollongong.

Masterclasses include that by Jessica Pratt, Barbara Frittoli, Fabio Armiliato, Gerald Finley and Dr. Graham Johnson. Jeremy studies with Maree Ryan AM.

Billie Tumarkin

Soprano, 25, VIC

Billie Tumarkin is a 25-year-old soprano and honours student at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying with the inimitable Suzanne Johnston. Born in Melbourne to a Jewish family from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tumarkin’s musical practise extends across a dozen languages. Returning to the stage this year after an eight-year illness, Tumarkin is deeply moved to be able to share her abiding passion for song. She has performed as a soloist at the Sydney Opera House and with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. www.billietumarkin.com

Younji Yi

Soprano, 26, NSW

Born in Korea, Younji Yi is a soprano with a warm tone and colorful technique who has received a Bachelor’s degree from the Korea National University of Arts in Seoul and worked with Professor Young-mi Kim. In recognition of her skills at the Korea National University of Arts, she played the leading role of Servilia in ‘La clemenza di Tito, Susanna in ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’, and Rosalinde in ‘Die Fledermaus’, and received numerous scholarships.

She has won many competitions in Korea. She won the prize at Korea Vocal Music Competition, Sunchang Music Competition, and Suri Music Competition, and she won the prize at Wollongong Eisteddfod competition in Australia.

She also worked for the Gwangmyeong City Choir in Korea. She has also appeared in prestigious concert venues in South Korea Sejong Performing Arts Centre, Seoul Arts Centre in Seoul.

After that, she came to Australia and entered the Sydney Conservatorium, where she is studying her Masters degree with Professor Rowena Cowley.






2022 Marianne Mathy Scholarship Winner, Jeremy Boulton

The 2022 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Final was held on 1 October at The Concourse Concert Hall.

Jeremy Boulton was named the winner of the Marianne Mathy Scholarship after his stunning performances of Bellini’s ‘Or dove fuggo io mai’ from I Puritani and Puccini’s ‘Questo amor, vergogna mia’ from Edgar. He was accompanied by the Opera Australia Orchestra conducted by Maestro Vladimir Fanshil.

At the 2022 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Jeremy won:

The Marianne Mathy Scholarship ('THE MATHY')
AUD $30,000 to assist with a program of study and/or singing activity
The winner of The Mathy will also receive:
1. Audition Prize from Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center: an opportunity to audition for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s professional artist-development program, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.
2. Lili Ussher Portrait Prize: a painting of the winner in concert dress.
3. Oral History Award: a taped interview by oral historian Diana Ritch will be recorded and retained within the Oral History Collection of the National Library of Australia.
4. The Mathy: a limited-edition Drago Marin Cherina sculpture presented by Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd (MOST®).
5. The WinkiPop Media Prize: photographic prints of the winner at the Finals Concert.











Previous Winners & Finalists
2010 - 2020
2019
  • Winner - Manase Latu, TENOR, NZ
  • Finalist - Bianca Bacchiella, SOPRANO, QLD
  • Finalist - Josi Ann Ellem, SOPRANO, NSW
  • Finalist - Rebecca Hart, MEZZO SOPRANO, NSW
  • Finalist - Samson Setu, BASS BARITONE, NZ
2018
  • Winner - Zoe Drummond, SOPRANO, NSW
  • Finalist - Cleo Lee-McGowan, SOPRANO, VIC
  • Finalist - Katherine McIndoe, SOPRANO, UK
  • Finalist - Pasquale Orchard, SOPRANO, NZ
  • Finalist - Tristan Entwistle, BARITONE, NSW
2017
  • Winner - Filipe Manu, TENOR, NZ
  • Finalist - Damian Arnold, TENOR, NSW
  • Finalist - Daniel Carison, BARITONE, VIC
  • Finalist - Paull-Anthony Keightley, BASS BARITONE, WA
  • Finalist - Shikara Ringdahl, MEZZO SOPRANO, QLD
2016
  • Winner - Nicholas Tolputt, COUNTER TENOR, NSW
  • Finalist - Morgan Balfour, SOPRANO, NSW
  • Finalist - Eliza Boom, SOPRANO, NZ
  • Finalist - Jarvis Dams, BARITONE, NZ
  • Finalist - Sarah Wang, SOPRANO, NSW
2015
  • Winner - Maximilian Riebl, COUNTER TENOR, VIC
  • Finalist - Damian Arnold, TENOR, NSW
  • Finalist - Rebecca Gulinello, SOPRANO VIC
  • Finalist - Jeremy Kleeman, BASS BARITONE, VIC
  • Finalist - Benson Wilson, BARITONE, NZ
2014
  • Winner - Isabella Moore, SOPRANO, NZ
  • Finalist - Kate Amos, SOPRANO, VIC
  • Finalist - Samantha Clarke, SOPRANO, WA
  • Finalist - Corrine Cowling, SOPRANO, WA
  • Finalist - Anna Voshege, SOPRANO, VIC
2013
  • Winner - Jade Moffat, MEZZO SOPRANO, QLD
  • Finalist - Hannah Dahenburg, SOPRANO. VIC
  • Finalist - Alexander Knight, BARITONE, NSW
  • Finalist - Edward Laurenson, BARITONE, NZ
  • Finalist - Danita Weatherstone, SOPRANO, NSW
2012
  • Winner - Anna Dowsley, MEZZO SOPRANO,
  • Finalist - Thomas Atkins, TENOR
  • Finalist - Charlotte Betts-Dean, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Jeremy Kleeman, BASS BARITONE
  • Finalist - Tabatha McFadyen, SOPRANO
2011
  • Winner - Emma Moore, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Naomi Johns, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Morgan Pearse, BASS BARITONE
  • Finalist - Gérard Schneider, TENOR
  • Finalist - Bryony Williams, SOPRANO
2010
  • Winner - Rachel Bate, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Kiandra Howarth, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Eleanor Lyons, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Ryan Sharp, BASS BARITONE
  • Finalist - Kang Wang, TENOR
2000 - 2009
2009
  • Winner - Sam Roberts-Smith, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Hadleigh Adams, BASS BARITONE
  • Finalist - Jade Moffat, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Samuel Sakker, TENOR
  • Finalist - Lachlan Scott, BASS
2008
  • Winner - Sitiveni Talei, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Nicole Car, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Sky Ingram, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Michael Lampard, BARITONE
2007
  • Winner - Emily Blanch, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Natalie Aroyan, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Mary-Jean O'Doherty, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Helen Sherman, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Victoria Wallace, MEZZO SOPRANO
2006
  • Winner - Duncan Rock, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Lauren Easton, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Andrew Finden, BARITONE
  • Finalist - James Homann, BASS BARITONE
  • Finalist - Michael Lampard, BARITONE
2005
  • Winner - Anita Watson, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Lucinda-Mirikata Deacon,SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Mylinda Joyce, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Derek Welton, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Carmen Young, SOPRANO
2004
  • Winner - Emma Pearson, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Andrew Goodwin, TENOR
  • Finalist - Andrew Moran, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Paul O'Neill, TENOR
  • Finalist - Barbara Zavros, SOPRANO
2003
  • Winner - Jessica Pratt, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Tanith Bryce, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Mark Fowler, TENOR
  • Finalist - David Hansen, COUNTER TENOR
  • Finalist - Melinda van der Meulen, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Elena Xanthoudakis, SOPRANO
2002
  • Winner - Katharine Tier, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Brad Cooper, TENOR
  • Finalist - Celeste Lazarenko, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Gilliam Ramm, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Caroline Wenborne, SOPRANO
2001
  • Winner - Rejieli Shepherd-Paulo, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Lorina Gore, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Alexander Lewis, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Dominica Matthews, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Katrina Waters, MEZZO SOPRANO
2000
  • Winner - Rachelle Durkin, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Joshua Bloom, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Martene Grimson, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Jocelyn Hickey, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Spencer Silby-Ainuutuimaseve, TENOR
1990 - 1999
1999
  • Winner - Janette Zilioli, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Adrian Dwyer, TENOR
  • Finalist - Blake Fischer, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Sally McHugh, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Melinda Parsons, SOPRANO
1998
  • Winner - Göknur Ray, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Caroline Chown, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Daniella Ehrlich, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Blake Fischer, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Michael Smallwood, TENOR
1997
  • Winner - Alexandra Sherman, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Spencer Silby, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Marija Stojakovic, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Rohan Thatcher, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Leon Warnock, BARITONE
1996
  • Winner - Rebecca Nash, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Joshua Bloom, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Leslie Flanagan, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Shelli Gilhome, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Sarah Hills, SOPRANO
1995
  • Winner - Natalie Christie, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Leanne Kenneally, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Anthony Elek, TENOR
  • Finalist - Katherine Rekaris, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Joslyn Rechter, MEZZO SOPRANO
1994
  • Winner - David Quah, TENOR
  • Finalist - Anthony Elek, TENOR
  • Finalist - Natalie Jones, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Emma Lysons, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Lisa Russell, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Anna Ryberg, MEZZO SOPRANO
1993
  • Winner - Amelia Farrugia, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Tobias Cole, COUNTER TENOR
  • Finalist - Sarah Hills, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Sally-Anne Russell, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Christopher Saunders, TENOR
1992
  • Winner - Jason Barry-Smith, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Angus Wood, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Rodney Gilchrist, SOPRANIST
  • Finalist - Lotte Latukefu, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Christopher Saunders, TENOR
1991
  • Winner - Stuart Skelton, TENOR
  • Finalist - Richard Sims, BASS
  • Finalist - Tiffany Speight, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Jeremy Vinogradov, BARITONE
1990
  • Winner - Christina Wilson, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Janelle Colquhoun, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Annabella Redman, SOPRANO
1982 - 1989
1989
  • Winner - Clare Gormley, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Helen Donaldson, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Maria Pollicina, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Linda Thompson, SOPRANO
1988
  • Winner - Joanna Cole, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Penelope Brister, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Clare Gormley, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Daniel Sumegi, BASS
1987
  • Winner - Paul Whelan, BASS
  • Finalist - Bronwyn Clark, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Anne Fisch, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Michael Martin, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Daniel Sumegi, BASS
1986
  • Winner - Fiona Janes, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Glenn Flavin, BASS
  • Finalist - Sharon Prero, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Margaret Schindler, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Ian Vayne, BARITONE
1985
  • Winner - David Lemke, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Julian Anderton, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Donna Balson, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Roxane Hislop, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Michael Howard, TENOR
  • Finalist - San-Ky Kim, TENOR
1984
  • Winner - Miriam Gormley, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Pauline Dwyer, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Fiona Maconaghie, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Gregory Tomlinson, TENOR
1983
  • Winner - Jeffrey Black, BARITONE
  • Finalist - John Antoniou, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Louise Camens, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Miriam Gormley, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Min Ok Choi, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Deborah Riedel, MEZZO SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Margaret Schindler, SOPRANO
1982
  • Winner - Nicola Waite, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - Jeffrey Black, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Christopher Bogg, TENOR
  • Finalist - Lisa Gasteen, SOPRANO
  • Finalist - David O'Keeffe, BARITONE
  • Finalist - Min Ok Choi, SOPRANO