Tanya Cooling

New Zealand-born Tanya Cooling completed her Bachelor of Music degree, at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University in Brisbane. During her academic studies she won various awards including the Linda Edith Allen Scholarship, the Penman Prize and the Brenda Edith Edgerton Scholarship.

Her stage performances in Australia and New Zealand include guest soloist with the Queensland Ballet, a performance for the Brisbane Wagner Society and in concert with artists such as Jeffrey Black, Teddy Tahu-Rhodes.

Her roles include Iris and Semele in Semele, the Novice in Suor Angelica, The Woodcutter’s Boy in The Pilgrim’s Progress and most recently Johanna in Kim Begley’s production of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. She also premiered the lead role in Ian Whitney’s opera Mata Hari.

Since arriving in London in 2005 she has performed in concert at Australia House, in the Heine Festival with Graham Johnson, and in concert in the Young Songmakers Almanac 2007. She has also performed in the Guildhall Artists Concert Series at the Barbican Centre, in the annual “Guildhall Gold” concert at Wigmore Hall and in concert at the Palau de la Musica in Valencia as well as a recital of Faure Songs in the City of London Festival.

In competition she was a finalist in 2007 for the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition. Her oratorio performances include The Creation with Opera Queensland, Messiah in Auckland, and in England, Carmina Burana. She also recently performed Pierrot Lunaire in the Guildhall Chamber Music Festival and Chausson’s complete Poême de l’amour et de la mer.

Tanya is now completing her Master of Music (Performance) degree with Rudolf Piernay as a participant of the Opera Associate programme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her upcoming performances include concert appearances in Beijing and Shanghai, a Schubert recital for the Oxford Lieder Festival and in October this year she will begin the MMP (Guildhall Artist) course at the Guildhall School with a partial scholarship.