Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia, October 2024 – Nathan Gilkes has joined Opera Australia as the new Head of Education, Learning, and Participation. In this role, Nathan will oversee the development and implementation of educational programs, fostering learning opportunities for diverse audiences and communities across Australia. His extensive background in music, theatre, and education positions him to contribute significantly to the company’s mission of making opera accessible to all.
Prior to joining Opera Australia, Nathan was a Tutor/Lecturer at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Sydney, where he taught musical theatre history, contemporary singing, and production for 10 months. In tandem, he also worked as a Voice Teacher at Northern Beaches Christian School and Frensham Schools, focusing on developing vocal talents of students.
Before his time in education, Nathan served as the Artistic Director at Marian Street Theatre for Young People for nearly 6 years, leading productions and enhancing the artistic development of young performers.
Nathan’s vast experience also includes being a Music Director and Composer at Arena Theatre Company, where he was involved in the award-winning production Robot Song, which received the Helpmann Award for Best Performance for Children and Young People in 2019.
Opera Australia is the country’s national opera company, renowned for its world-class performances. With more than 700 annual performances across iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne, the company reaches over half a million people each year. Their educational outreach programs and partnerships bring opera to audiences across Australia, from metropolitan theatres to rural towns.
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