Carolyn Watson Wins Place In Dallas Opera Residency

Congratulations go to Ex-Sydneysider Dr Carolyn Watson who is amongst six distinguished conductors to be selected to participate in the Dallas Opera’s third annual residency of the Institute for Women Conductors in November this year.

She joins conductors from Brazil, France, the USA, USA/Colombia and Poland in this programme which aims to address a dearth of women in the conducting profession. The opportunity attracted 161 entrants from 33 countries and included music directors, principal and assistant conductors, concertmasters and musicians from performing ensembles and teaching institutions.

Carolyn is presently Director of Orchestral Activities at Texas State University and gained her PhD in Performance (Conducting) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Carolyn Watson writes: “The program is indeed groundbreaking – a unique opportunity and one which offers continuing support and mentorship over a number of years. I look forward to not only this year’s Institute, but also my ongoing association with The Dallas Opera and the Hart Institute, as well as all the wonderful women colleagues I will be fortunate to work with over the course of my career.”

The institute will include career advancement seminars, industry discussions, intensive one-to-ones coaching and networking opportunities. As well, there will be the opportunity to conduct The Dallas Opera Orchestra in two public concerts. Alumnae will be invited to summer reunions for additional masterclasses with piano and singers, and a series of seminars about the business of music.

A major prizewinner at the 2012 Emmerich Kálmán International Operetta Conducting Competition in Budapest, Ms. Watson has conducted throughout Europe including Staatsoper Berlin, Brandenburger Symphonkier, BBC Concert Orchestra, North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Kodály Philharmonic. She served as resident assistant at the Israeli National Opera in 2009, has participated in master classes with Marin Alsop, Peter Eötvös and Martyn Brabbins and has worked with conductors including Sir Charles Mackerras and Simone Young. She won the Brian Stacey Award for Emerging Australian Conductors, Charles Mackerras Conducting Prize awarded by the Australian Music Foundation in London, Nelly Apt Scholarship and Opera Foundation Australia’s Bayreuth Opera Award and Berlin New Music Opera Award.