Simon Chalford GIlkes - Opera Singer
British-Australian Tenor Simon Chalford Gilkes is currently a tenor within the Opera Australia Chorus, as well as a leading vocal educator within the Greater Sydney Area.
Simon graduated with distinction from the Royal College of Music with a Masters in Vocal Performance as a Cuthbert Smith Scholar supported by the Richard Carne Charitable Trust and was previously a Richard Carne Scholar. Whilst living in the United Kingdom, Simon had the privilege of working with leading British Opera companies, such as the Royal Opera House, English Touring Opera, Scottish Opera, Wexford Festival, Grange Park Opera and Grange Festival Opera.
Previously within Australia, Simon completed his Bachelor of Music and Advanced Diploma of Opera, studying with Maree Ryan, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Whilst studying in Sydney, Simon was the Winner of the Joan Carden Award and the Recipient of the George and Margaret Henderson Travelling Scholarship at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was also supported by the Opus 50 musical trust, Big Brother Movement and the Ian Potter Cultural Trust.
Now permanently based in the Sydney CBD, Simon can be seen performing regularly with Opera Australia and as a guest soloist with several Sydney choirs and ensembles. He also teaches from both his private vocal studio and as a visiting vocal tutor at a number of Sydney secondary schools.