Opera singer Sarah Guilmartin has been accepted into Mannes College, The New School for Music.
Camera IconOpera singer Sarah Guilmartin has been accepted into Mannes College, The New School for Music. Credit: Supplied/Marcelo Palacios

Big Apple beckons

Emma Young, Canning TimesCanning Gazette

The conservatory’s Professional Studies program offers about 35 places per year to students, who travel from around the globe to audition for a place at the school.

Guilmartin, a WA Academy of Performing Arts Music Performance graduate, spent the past 18 months preparing for the Mannes audition, flying to the New York conservatory twice as part of her training.

Her placement in the WA Opera Young Artist program, an internship-style arrangement, gave her the opportunities to travel to Mannes and work with ‘phenomenal’ coaches there.

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She also had the chance to work with singers from New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Guilmartin finally auditioned in March and now, after a nail-biting wait, has received word of her success.

‘It was extremely exciting and a huge relief to know that having worked so hard, I was on the right track,’ she said.

Guilmartin said she hoped the year of study at Mannes would open doors for her to realise her dream of performing at the world’s most prestigious venues.

‘It’s my dream to make it to the Metropolitan Opera,’ she said.

‘I just adore being on stage, interpreting characters, it’s where I feel comfortable.

‘I am lucky that I have been able to follow my passion.

‘I want to tell audiences stories, take them on journeys with me, help them escape by being true to these texts and these pieces.’

Guilmartin makes her official debut with the West Australian Opera as First Lady in its production of the Magic Flute, opening next month.

She and fellow young artist Caitlin Cassidy, who has also won a place at Mannes, are holding a fundraising concert to help them relocate to New York.

International opera stars Daniel Sumegi and Alexander Lewis will join them in the gala concert of opera arias, duets and ensembles.

Pianist David Wickham will accompany the singers and West Australian mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell will compere the evening.

Opera In The CityWHERE: Government House ballroomWHEN: June 29, 5pmTICKETS: $50-$75 through trybooking.com or 0416 010 899