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Margaret Schindler Vocal Scholarship
Supported through a generous donation by Carolyn Mason
Under the guidance of the Southern Cross Soloists and Margaret Schindler, the MSVS recipient is awarded to a young singer who has shown great aptitude in their craft. Recipients are given the opportunity to perform with Southern Cross Soloists and to receive mentoring from Margaret Schindler.
2025 MSVS Recipient
Aylish Ryan
Hailing from Toowoomba, mezzo-soprano Aylish Ryan has recently completed a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU), graduating with distinction, and in 2025 she joins the Opera Queensland Young Artist Program.
During her studies, Aylish was the recipient of the prestigious Opera Australia Regional Vocal Scholarship (2019), the Victoria Chalmers Education Award, the Elizabeth Muir Memorial Award, and the Sir Mostyn Hanger Opera Prize, and was an artist in the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program (2023-2024). She performed the role of Orfeo in Orpheus! and Underworld: A Journey to Hell and Back (2023), the latter with accomplished director and playwright Michael Gow and Maestro Johannes Fritzsch. She worked with director Stuart Maunder as Leila in Iolanthe, as well as in the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program’s Opera Scenes (2024) under the baton of Felice Venanzoni.
Also in 2024, Aylish performed the role of Ruth in Kirkman and Scott’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, and worked with director Lindy Hume and Maestro Johannes Fritzsch as La Maestra delle Novizie in Puccini’s Suor Angelica (QCGU).
Photo by Dylan Evans Photography
MARGARET SCHINDLER
Soprano
Margaret was a founding member of critically acclaimed chamber ensemble, Southern Cross Soloists with whom she performed for over twenty years, premiering approximately one hundred new Australian works and maintaining a diverse performance profile which included artistic residencies at the University of Tasmania Conservatorium, Arkansas University USA, the Australian National Academy of Music as well as Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, Singapore, the annual Bangalow Music Festival and concert tours to China, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and throughout Australia.
Photo by Ronan King Rose
Alumni
2024 - Jack Bolton, bass
2023 - Nina Korbe, soprano
2022 - Sara Donnelly, soprano​
Support
The Southern Cross Soloists Education Programs is a vital stepping stone for music graduates, provide the next generation of talented young artists with invaluable training and performance opportunities.
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Supporting the education programs allows Southern Cross Soloists to help our young musicians reach their dreams of a professional career in music performance.
Photo by Stephen Henry