11 May 2018
Former Dubbo College students and the city's favourite young singers Billie Palin and Nathan Bryon are returning this month to give a concert thanking their voice teacher, Dawn Walsh, for her years of service to the Dubbo community and to assist her as she battles a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Teaming up with highly accomplished and respected pianist and musical director Di Pascoe, Billie and Nathan will perform the benefit concert at St Andrews Chapel in Wingewarra Street at 2pm on Sunday May 20, with tickets available at the door.
The last time they performed in Dubbo, Billie, Nathan and Di attracted a full house at the Dubbo Regional Theatre at their "FORTE" concert in March 2015.
Having completed their education at Dubbo College in 2015, Billie and Nathan have since been studying musical theatre and opera in Sydney.
Nathan said their "Thank You!" concert for Dawn Walsh would provide an afternoon of song, in recognition of her commitment to music in the Dubbo community.
"We were so incredibly lucky to have Dawn move to Dubbo when she did," Nathan said.
"She is well known in Sydney as having a powerhouse voice and a personality to match.
"She often covered Dame Joan Sutherland and American soprano Leona Mitchell, and her photo is still up on the Opera Australia Green Room wall for her years of service to the company."
Having spent the past two years studying classical voice in Sydney, Nathan has followed Dawn's path and has been working with Paci¿c Opera, the Apollo Opera Collective and Operantics while completing his degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Billie's dynamic personality and ¿air for the stage have led her down a slightly different path. However, she still credits Dawn for her solid vocal technique:
"I have Dawn to thank for introducing me to the wonders of music and the voice and for helping to instil in me a passion for singing," Billie said.
"With her guidance I was able to develop a strong classical technique, which has made learning new genres so much easier for me.
"That ability is very important for music theatre."
Billie is currently studying a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) at the Australian Institute of Music, as well as dabbling in musical direction, acting and cabaret work in Sydney.
Di Pascoe, who currently works with Dubbo College, has very fond memories of the ¿rst time Dawn graced the halls of the Macquarie Conservatorium.
"I still recall the day Dawn walked into my life, appearing in my office doorway with champagne coloured hair and a leopard print coat," Di said.
"I said to my boss ‘who is that?!' and 13 years later I can say Dawn and I have shared some amazing times.
"I have been privileged to perform on stage with her many times, and share the joy of helping her to develop the talents of many students during those years.
"She has been an incredible role model to these young artists and I've been extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to share those experiences with her.
"Dawn brought a sophisticated class of music to Dubbo that did not exist here before and the likes of which will not be seen again.
"I value her friendship immensely and will miss her feisty personality and brutally honest dialogue.
"She is sincerely one of a kind."
Tickets will be available at the door.
Date: Sunday 20th of May (2pm)
Venue: St Andrew's Chapel, Wingewarra St
Tickets: $15 Adult; $10 concession; $5 children