Emma Matthews AM

I’m delighted to have been asked to join Daniel Sumegi as a Patron of Rockdale Opera Company.
A great honour indeed!

🎭✨Rockdale Opera Company is proud to announce Emma Matthews AM as its newest Patron 🎭✨

We are absolutely delighted to welcome international opera star Emma Matthews AM as Patron of the Rockdale Opera Company.

For many years, ROC has been privileged to have the support of two of Australia’s most distinguished artists, Daniel Sumegi and José Carbó. Their generosity and encouragement have meant a great deal to our company, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support. 💐

As José steps down from his role as Patron, we extend our sincere thanks for his many years of involvement with ROC. Having begun his own journey with the company, José has been a passionate advocate for ROC providing a platform for the next generation of singers to learn, perform, and grow. We deeply value his support of ROC over many years. 🙏

We are so thrilled that Emma Matthews has graciously accepted an invitation to join Daniel Sumegi as co-Patron. Australia’s most highly awarded soprano, Emma has performed with leading opera companies, orchestras, and festivals across Australia and internationally, and is Head of Classical Voice and Opera Studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. 🎶

Emma has won seven Helpmann Awards, nine Green Room Awards, the Remy Martin Australian Opera Award and Limelight Awards for Music Personality of the Year and Australian Artist of the Year and her extraordinary career spans an astonishing range of roles—from Lucia, Lakmé, Partenope and Lulu to Cleopatra, Violetta, and the four heroines in The Tales of Hoffmann among many others. She returned to Opera Australia in 2025 as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and will appear in its 70th Birthday Galas this year. 🏆✨

Emma’s artistry, generosity and deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of singers is an inspiration and we are honoured and privileged to have her support as ROC continues to grow. 🌱🎼

Please join us in welcoming Emma to ROC. 👏🎉

Photo: Stephen Heath Photography

This week the Classical Voice dept welcomed the baritone James Clayton to Vocal Workshop. He worked with four singers Anthony Ottobrino, Adam Lynch, Joshua White and Caleb Stevens. The incomparable Tommaso Pollio was accompanying. We are so lucky to have James back at WAAPA on staff now, such a current artiste and generous colleague.
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
West Australian Opera
Tommaso Pollio
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Club Diva