Nathan Bryon is the 2023 recipient of the Dame Heather Begg Memorial Award.

The tenor, who hails from Geurie in rural New South Wales, will receive $25,000 in funding to support the development of his operatic career.

Nathan Bryon. Photo © Valentina Sadiul Photography

Bryon is currently studying an Artist Diploma at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The award caps a successful year for Byron, who also received the 2023 Australian Music Foundation Yvonne Kenny Award and is the San Francisco District Winner of The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

Bryon recently appeared in the Aspen Music Festival where he performed the role of Christopf in Jimmy López’s contemporary opera Bel Canto and covered roles in Mozart’s Idomeneo under the artistic leadership of Renée Fleming and Patrick Summers. His upcoming projects include Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi with San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Tamino in The Magic Flute with Livermore Opera.

‘This award is very significant as it will allow me to undertake necessary auditions and professional development,” said Bryon. “It enables emerging singers to assess areas needing development or things requiring preparation and have the financial means to...