UQ Opera Gala

UQ Singers Soloists

Beilei Zhu

Beilei Zhu, a Master of Music student at the University of Queensland, studies voice (mezzo-soprano) under Sarah Crane. She has performed in UQ Opera Scenes and various School productions, including The Marriage of Figaro, Verdi’s Requiem, Mystical Woodlands & Arctic Archipelago, and the early music work The Play of Daniel.

Before her classical journey, she was active as a contemporary singer and holds a master’s degree focusing on contemporary music performance. She is passionate about opera’s expressive and dramatic power and aims to integrate techniques and creativity from contemporary music into her classical singing and research.

Beth Allen

Beth is a Meanjin-based mezzo-soprano in her fifth year of a dual degree in Music (Honours) and Science (Archaeological Science) at the University of Queensland. During her time at university, she has appeared as ‘Papagena’ (The Magic Flute, 2022), ‘Agricola’ (A Night in Venice, 2023), and ‘Cherubino’ (The Marriage of Figaro, 2024). She recently travelled to Utah to participate in the Brigham Young University Spring Opera Program, Crossings, and performed in the 2025 UQ Opera Scenes Concert: Love, Loss and Laughter. Beth has completed her Honours thesis examining how sports-based breathing techniques can improve optimal respiratory efficiency in operatic performance. In 2023, Beth was awarded the Ethel Osbourne Prize (with colleague Connor Wilmore) and the Margaret Nickson Prize (with collaborative partner Mac Johnson). She is thrilled to perform in this year’s Opera Gala and share the stage with her colleagues.

Cassandra Barnett

Cassandra Barnett is a soprano at the University of Queensland, currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Music (Honours)/Science (Biomedical Science) under the tutelage of Dr Shaun Brown. This year, she is completing her honours thesis in cross-genre jazz and classical singing and its role in vocal pedagogy. 
 
At UQ, Cassandra has had the pleasure of performing in several major concerts including Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Mozart’s Requiem and Duruflé’s Requiem as well as taking part in many School of Music’s productions including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica, Johann Strauss’ Eine Nacht in Venedig and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Le Nozze di Figaro. 
 
As a soloist, Cassandra has had the privilege of performing Mozart’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Magnificat, and Schubert’s Mass in G with the Amadeus Orchestra and Pro Musica Singers . This year, Cassandra has performed as a guest soloist alongside Symphoria orchestra and had the opportunity to travel to Winton and Longreach with Opera Queensland for the 2025 Festival of Outback Opera. She also had the pleasure of performing as the soprano soloist in Poulenc’s Gloria earlier this year with the UQ Singers and UQ Chorale. Cassandra was also a finalist in the 2025 Ethel Osborne Competition and was awarded the 2025 Margaret Nickson prize alongside her collaborative partner Nic Wallace. She looks forward to continuing to perform after her graduation this year. 

Corrin Prince

Corrin Prince is a New Zealand-born soprano studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland, majoring in music and art history. She has performed with UQ Singers in Le Nozze di Figaro, various Opera Scenes Concerts since 2023, and many choral works across a diverse range of musical periods, such as Poulenc's Gloria, Mozart's Requiem, and the early music work Play of Daniel.

Corrin is in her second year at the university, with a particular interest in the historical contexts of the art and music she studies and performs. She is excited to be performing in UQ's Opera Gala concert alongside her friends and colleagues before finishing off the year singing Handel's Messiah with the Brisbane Chamber Choir and Queensland Symphony Orchestra in December. 
 

Eline van Bruggen

Eline van Bruggen is a Dutch-Australian soprano currently undertaking a Bachelor of Music and Arts at the University of Queensland, majoring in Classical Vocal Performance, Linguistics, and Professional Writing & Communication.

Eline has appeared frequently as a soloist with the UQ Symphony Orchestra at QPAC, featuring in the Poulenc Gloria in 2025 and Mozart Requiem in 2024. Following her performance of the Fauré Requiem at Brisbane City Hall in 2024, she recently rejoined the Brisbane Chorale for Beethoven’s Mass in C at the Old Museum Building. 

On the operatic stage, Eline made her debut as Susanna in the University of Queensland’s fully staged production of Le Nozze di Figaro.

She has also toured with Opera Queensland to Longreach and Winton for the 2023 and 2024 Festivals of Outback Opera, and recently performed in the United States at Brigham Young University’s Liederabend and Spring Opera Scenes concerts.

Eline was a performing artist in the Queensland Art Song Festival in both 2024 and 2025, further developing her artistry and interpretive skills in recital repertoire. Her operatic roles include Ciboletta in Eine Nacht in Venedig and Erste Knabe in Die Zauberflöte in UQ’s complete productions, as well as Nanetta (Falstaff), Cunegonde (Candide), Frasquita (Carmen), Ida (Die Fledermaus), and Poppea (L'incoronazione di Poppea) in staged concert excerpts. 

Jackson Eastwood

Jackson Eastwood is a tenor currently studying at the University of Queensland under the tutelage of Dr Shaun Brown. He has appeared in UQ’s productions of Le Nozze di Figaro debuting Don Curzio, The Magic Flute, Eine Nacht in Venedig, Mozart, Verdi, Fauré and Duruflé Requiem and Poulenc Gloria. He has performed many roles in opera scenes concerts, including Lensky (Eugene Onegin), Alfredo (La Traviata), Ruggero (La Rondine), Tonio (La Fille du Régiment), Fenton (Falstaff), Vaudémont (Iolanta), and Prince Ramiro (La Cenerentola). In 2024 and 2025, he performed with Opera Queensland at the Festival of Outback Opera. Jackson continues to refine his artistry and expand his repertoire. He is excited to debut pieces in the UQ Opera Gala.

Jade Okey

Jade Okey is a New Zealand soprano currently studying at the University of Queensland under the guidance of Sarah Crane. She began her musical journey performing in theatre and opera productions across Aotearoa, where she discovered her passion for storytelling through music. Jade is recognised for her warm tone and expressive interpretations, bringing both sensitivity and strength to her performances. Now based in Brisbane, she continues to develop her artistry and stagecraft, exploring the rich breadth of classical repertoire with curiosity and dedication.

Kaija Scott

Kaija Scott is completing her Graduate Certificate in Music after being awarded her Bachelor of Music (Honours) under the tutelage of Sarah Crane. Kaija has performed many roles within the UQ Singers productions including Erste Dame in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, La Contessa from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Nella from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. She was selected to represent UQ at Brigham Young University, Utah, USA for their Crossings show and Liederabend working with Jennifer Youngs and fellow colleagues. Kaija has performed alongside colleagues in Opera Queensland and has also collaborated with artists including Mirusia and The Angels. Furthermore, she has several experiences collaborating with QSO and UQSO, including QSO’s recent performance of Verdi’s Requiem with their Chief Conductor. Kaija is looking forward to presenting many new excerpts UQ’s final opera gala in November this year.

Kate Woodford

Kate Woodford is a second-year Bachelor of Music (Honours) student at The University of Queensland, studying under renowned soprano Sarah Crane. Originally from Townsville, she was awarded the prestigious Paula and Tony Kinnane Music Scholarship. Kate made her operatic debut as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and has been a finalist in both the Ethel Osborne and Margaret Nickson Prizes. She has performed widely with the UQ Singers, including major works by Mozart, Verdi, Poulenc, and Duruflé, and recently represented UQ in performances at Brigham Young University. Kate will appear in the Opera Gala as Iolanta and Marzelline.

Nic Wallace

Nic Wallace is a baritone in his third year of the Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Queensland, under the tutelage of Dr Shaun Brown.

In his time at university, Nic has had the opportunity to perform as part of the chorus for UQ’s productions of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Strauss’ Eine Nacht in Venedig and major concert works including Poulenc's Gloria, Verdi's and Mozart’s Requiems and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Nic has also performed roles in staged excerpts of Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Offenbach’s Madame L’Archiduc and Purcell’s Fairy Queen. 

In 2024, Nic performed as the bass soloist in Haydn's Mass in Time of War and had the pleasure of performing the role of Antonio in UQ's production of Le Nozze di Figaro. While at UQ, he has also had the privilege of traveling to Winton and Longreach to take part in Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera from 2023-2025. This year, Nic has performed as part of the Queensland Art Song Festival, and as a soloist in Liszt’s Via Crucis with Brisbane Chorale and Fauré's Requiem with the Bel Canto Singers. He looks forward to taking part in the School of Music's annual Opera Scenes concert and the Opera Gala performances later this year."

Oliver King

Oliver King is a third year Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) and Science (Chemistry) student at the University of Queensland, under the tutelage of voice teacher Shaun Brown. During his time at UQ, he has sung the roles of Dr Cajus from Verdi’s Falstaff, Mr Rushworth from Dove’s Mansfield park and Scoevola from Offenbach’s Madame L’archiducin staged excerpts. Earlier this year he travelled to Winton and Longreach with Opera Queensland for their Festival of Outback Opera. His chorus work includes Mozart Requiem and Poulenc Gloria with UQ, Duruflé Requiem with Brisbane Chorale and Verdi’s requiem and Opera Gala with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Patrick Bischoff

Patrick is completing his final year studying at the University of Queensland. He has held roles within UQ’s productions, including: several roles in 2025’s UQ Operatic Scenes, a featured artist for the Festival of Outback Opera (2025), understudying for the Count and Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro (2024), and an ensemble member in Eine Nacht in Venedig (2023). Externally, Patrick has been featured as a soloist in 4MBS’ Festival of Classic and was in the ensemble for Lil’ Elvis performed at the Powerhouse (2025), the understudy lead in Millennial’s Young Frankenstein (2024), and a Barbershop Quartet singer in Savoyard’s The Music Man (2023).

Piper Ramsey

Piper Ramsey is a 2nd year voice student in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program under the guidance of Sarah Crane. During her time at UQ, Piper has performed as a chorus member in UQ’s Opera scenes and lunchtime concerts, performing alongside Milijana Nikolic and Rosario la Spina. 

She made her debut performing as Barbarina in The UQ’s operatic production of Le Nozze Di Figaro (2024). Earlier this year, Piper was selected to perform as a chorus member at Opera Queensland's Festival of Outback Opera. Additionally, Piper performed as a finalist in this year’s Nickson Prize competition. 
 

Timothy Nielson

Timothy Nielson is a fourth-year Bachelor of Music (Honours) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student at The University of Queensland, where he studies voice with Dr. Shaun Brown. He began his musical journey singing in choirs and performing with community theatre companies across Brisbane, where he developed his love for the stage.

In his first year at UQ, Timothy made his opera debut as The Speaker in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Since then, he has performed in the UQ Singers’ annual opera scenes concerts, taking on roles such as The Count and Bartolo (Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart), Plumkett (Martha, Flotow), and Hymen (The Fairy Queen, Purcell).

Beyond the university stage, Timothy has appeared in the Festival of Outback Opera in Winton and Longreach (2023, 2024), and in 2025 he performed as the bass soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with the UQ Symphony Orchestra at QPAC’s Concert Hall. Earlier this year, he also participated in an exchange to Brigham Young University, where he sang in their spring opera scenes concert, titled Crossings.
 

Yuduo Yao

Eva Yuduo Yao is a first-year Bachelor of Music soprano at the University of Queensland, studying under Sarah Crane. Originally from China, she began her formal vocal training at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music High School before continuing her studies in Germany, where she received coaching from professors at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. She is passionate about classical vocal performance and has appeared in the 2025 Festival of Outback Opera with Opera Queensland and 4MBS’s Gilbert and Sullivan at Brisbane City Hall. She has also performed in major choral works, including Mozart’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Verdi’s Requiem.