Singaporean soprano Shimona Rose has just graduated with a Master of Performance with Distinction at the Royal College of Music where she studied with Amanda Roocroft. The 2018 Opera Scholar of the Year and 37th Annual Australian National Liederfest winner, Shimona completed a Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Carrie Barr the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. In 2019, she also completed the course of study “Poetry and Performance of the German Lied” at the Franz-Schubert-Institut in Baden bei Wien, which included masterclasses from various coaches such as Andreas Schmidt, Julius Drake, Roger Vignoles and Helmut Deutsch.
An accomplished performer and experienced recitalist, Shimona has received a number of first prizes including the Robert Salzer Vocal Championship Award at the Boroondara Eisteddfod in 2017.
Shimona’s stage experience includes Nanetta in Falstaff, The Governess in The Turn of the Screw, Veronique in Le Docteur Miracle, Anjelica in Orlando as well as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. She has also sung Erster Knabe in Gertrude Opera’s Die Zauberflöte. Shimona also performed the lead role of Queenie in Victorian Opera’s debut production of Aaron Copland’s The Second Hurricane. Ensemble and chorus participation includes Dialogues des Carmélites with New Opera Singapore and Roberto Devereux with Melbourne Opera.
Shimona’s oratorio work includes Mozart’s Requiem with the Yorke Trust, Orff’s Carmina Burana and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light with Coventry Philharmonic Choral Society, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle.
At home, Shimona took part in New Opera Singapore’s outreach program, Who’s Afraid of Opera. She was also invited to give a recital at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore at their first-ever ‘Soiree at the Shang’ and at the Steinway Gallery Singapore as part of their Rising Star Series in 2018.
Shimona performed for the Opening of the Legal Year 2019 Judiciary Dinner at the President’s Palace in Singapore with the President and Chief Justice in attendance.
Shimona began her musical studies with the piano at the age of 5, achieving an ABRSM Diploma in Music Performance in 2014. Though the piano was her first instrument, voice was undoubtedly a significant aspect of her musical life. Shimona has extensive experience with choral music and has also pursued other musical interests by forming her own jazz band in 2014.
Shimona’s passion lies on the operatic stage but also in the area of music therapy and she is delighted to be working towards a career in both fields by commencing the study of a Master of Arts in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September 2021.