Naomi Flatman, mezzo soprano
ACOCO Young Artist 2018-2019
Over the past two years, I have had the incredible luck of singing with [ACOCO]. I say luck because I literally found Linda and the team by chance! In June 2018 I had freshly graduated from postgraduate studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and was looking for the next singing opportunity; desperate to get out of Brisbane, I might add.
I happen to come across [ACOCO]'s website and so began a whirlwind of an amazing experience.
This year’s studio young artist program has been the most fulfilling, growing and strengthening chapters in my career. Having the pressure of performing almost every day, learning completely new repertoire, and pushing myself with different concepts; just to name a few highlights.
Through ACOCO, I have been lucky enough to form relationships with the most incredible mentors, like Noëmi Nadelmann, who has slowly tapered my voice, giving me the courage to go bigger and be better. Because of this relationship, I was able to step in (at the last minute!) to the Opera Australia schools tour this year. This gave me the opportunity to audition again and now I will be doing the full tour next year, which I am very excited about!
This marvellous journey would not have been possible if I had not had Linda and ACOCO backing me. In a singer’s world, we often say there are rare people who we come across at the right
time in our life. Linda has been such a person for me. She has pushed me beyond my comfort without ever going too far, challenged me with repertoire that I would never have thought of, but most of all; a constant guide and, my biggest rock through such an awkward transitional time in my voice. Linda, and ACOCO, are an essential haven for singers, especially in this dangerously changing country. Now, probably more crucially than ever, the studio young artist program will flourish, with your amazing support, into a great collaboration between artists all passionately making music. I would like to specifically thank Jeremy Vincent who hosted me in March, Ruth and Tom O'Dea for hosting me during the festival period, and De Bortoli for hosting me during the festival. Thankyou to Matt Nash and Alison Jones for all of your help throughout the year. Thankyou Rob and Shelley at Olinda Yarra Yering for letting us take over your property again. Thank you to the cast and crew and all the singers in the studio young artist program; you will never know your profound impact on my life. And of course, thank you to Linda for trusting me, challenging me and above all, nurturing me. Lastly thank you to You! The board members, Bill Gillies, Charles Qin, and those I don’t know. Thank you to the donors, sponsors, supporters, volunteers. Thank you for your remarkable work and investment in US, the singers. Thank you for coming to our concerts, listening to us, and championing us. Though some of us may never have met, your investment in me is felt incredibly intimately and my time with ACOCO will always be thought of very fondly.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
With Love, Naomi