Scholarships

David Blunden

orn in 1976 in Sydney, David Blunden studied organ with David Rumsey at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was organist at St James’ Church, King Street from 1994 to 1997. In 1998 he began postgradate studies in early music at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where he studied organ with Jean-Claude Zehnder, harpsichord with Andrea Marcon and improvisation with Rudolf Lutz. In 2002 he graduated with honours. He is a prize winner of the 13th International Paul Hofhaimer Competition in 2001 and the International York Early Music Prize in 2006, together with the ensemble Le Jardin Secret. David is a founding member of the ensemble Capricornus Consort Basel, with whom he has made numerous recordings that have received awards such as the Diapason d'Or, International Classic Music Award, Echo Klassic, OPUS Klassik and the German Record Critics' Prize. Since 2009 he has coached the singing class at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. He leads the choir at the Anglican Church in Basel, is organist at the Heiliggeistkirche in Basel and since 2016 at the Arlesheim Cathedral with its famous Silbermann Organ.

Sarah Kim

Born in Germany, Sarah Kim is an Australian organist of Korean origin, who is now based in Paris. She began her musical studies (piano and violin) at an early age in Cologne and had her first organ lessons with Miriam Gaydon at the age of eleven in Sydney. After finishing high school, she studied organ with Philip Swanton at the Sydney Conservatorium Music, where she graduated from a Bachelor of Music Performance course with First Class Honours and the Sydney University Medal in 2005. During her student days at the Conservatorium, Sarah held several organ scholar positions at the University of Sydney, St Paul’s College and St James’ Anglican Church. She performed with numerous ensembles including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Chamber Choir. As a soloist she performed in major concert venues including the Sydney, Perth and Melbourne Town Halls and the Sydney Opera House. On completion of her studies, Sarah was awarded a University of Sydney overseas travelling scholarship and became the first Australian organist ever to be accepted into the ‘Cycle de Perfectionnement’ and Master course at the Paris Conservatoire, where she studied under the tutelage of Oliver Latry and Michel Bouvard. She subsequently pursued further specialised studies with Wolfgang Zerer, Andrea Marcon, Lorenzo Ghielmi and Jörg-Andreas Bötticher at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where she gained her Masters degree in early music. Prize-winner of the Sydney, Newcastle and Paris International Organ Competitions, Sarah has given masterclasses at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Oundle International Summer Academy in the UK. She has performed at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Westminster Abbey, Mont St Michel, the Royal Chapel in Versailles, Stavanger Concert Hall, the Musikverein in Vienna and in the Berlin Philharmonie. Sarah has featured as soloist with the Swedish Baroque Orchestra, the Oxford Band of Instruments and the Bordeaux Orchestra and has given duo concerts throughout Italy and Paris with her mentor, Jean Guillou. She also plays regularly with the Parisian ensemble ‘le Balcon’ and the l’Orchestre National de France. Sarah is currently organist at l’Oratoire du Louvre in Paris.

Andrej Kouznetsov

Andrej studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and won first place in the open organ section of the Sydney Organ Competition. During this time he was organ scholar at St James’ Church, King Street, where he was subsequently appointed Organist. Relocating to the United Kingdom in 2010, Andrej spent a year as organ scholar at both Salisbury Cathedral and later Westminister Abbey. Whilst at the Abbey, Andrej became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists. On return to Australia, he was appointed Organist at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane in 2013. In early 2016, he was appointed Organist at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney.

Marko Sever

Marko Sever is an Australian conductor, organist and artistic director whose work spans concert performance, choral liturgy, and festival leadership. Formed in the rigour of the English cathedral tradition, he has performed in major venues across Europe and Australasia, building a reputation for virtuosity and dramatic conviction. After formative studies in Australia, Marko spent six years in London, receiving his master’s degree from the Royal Academy of Music and becoming a prizewinning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. His time in the UK took him to the heart of the English cathedral tradition, with positions at St Albans Cathedral and Westminster Cathedral, where he regularly accompanied and directed the cathedral choirs and assisted in the training of choristers. While at Westminster, he recorded his debut CD, Symphonie-Passion, on the Cathedral’s world-famous Grand Organ; the recording received a five-star review in Choir & Organ and was featured on BBC Radio 3. Now based in Sydney, Marko is Organist of St James’ King Street and Artistic Director of the St James’ International Organ Festival, which he founded in 2024. The Festival has brought leading international artists including Vincent Dubois, James O’Donnell and Martin Baker to Sydney, while building new audiences for the organ through imaginative programming and a more vivid, contemporary approach to the concert experience. At the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, he is completing a master’s degree in Conducting with Benjamin Northey, extending his work from the organ loft into orchestral direction and broader artistic leadership. He is also a broadcaster with 2MBS Fine Music Sydney.

Titus Grenyer

Titus Grenyer was the Organ Scholar at St James from mid 2016 to September 2019. His musical education began with the violin at age three, and soon expanded to studying piano, music composition and theory. In 2013, he was awarded the inaugural IMB Roger Soden Organ Scholarship at Wollongong Conservatorium, which began his career in organ with a recital at the end of the year. He was awarded an AMusA with distinction in 2015, as well as being selected for the young organists’ concert at St Mary’s Cathedral. Having completed the HSC, he began tertiary education at Sydney Conservatorium of Music in Organ Studies in 2016, and in the same year was appointed Organ Scholar at St Andrew’s College. Titus has performed for multiple concerts on violin, piano and organ, including a tour to Europe with the Bluescope Youth Orchestra in 2013. He has placed many times in the Sydney Eisteddfod for composition, and the Wollongong Eisteddfod for violin and piano. He hopes to continue studying the organ for the remainder of his undergraduate studies, and then complete a masters degree.

Callum Knox

A pianist since the early age of 5, and an organist from 12, Callum Knox is one of the fine young organists of Sydney. He won a scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium’s Rising Stars program in 2019, and has also been offered a scholarship for tertiary study at the Sydney Conservatorium. He began as Organ Scholar at St James’ King St at the beginning of 2020, and has also formerly occupied the position of Junior Organ Scholar at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Callum graduated from St Andrew’s Cathedral School in 2019, where he earned full marks for his performances in organ for HSC Music Extension, as well as a nomination for Encore, the HSC’s concert showcasing the top performers in NSW. Callum has also performed highly regarded organs around Australia and beyond, such as in the Sydney Town Hall on multiple occasions, as well as St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, St. Paul’s Cathedral London, St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle, and St Eustache in Paris. Callum is also a trained vocalist, as well as an avid long-distance runner and surfer, and hopes that the organ will continue to be vital for worship and entertainment long into the future.

James Brew

James' journey with the Organ began in 2019 when he started at Sydney Grammar School, where he currently studies. His love for the instrument has taken him to play in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, such as Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem, Amsterdam's Oudekerk, and Sydney Town Hall. He has also performed on various organs throughout Australasia. Beginning his musical education with Sydney Children's Choir at the age of 6, James began piano lessons in the same year, and tuba lessons not long thereafter. His choral career has taken him on tour, performing solos with the Vienna Boys’ Choir. An avid multi-instrumentalist, James' performances range from high modernist vocal works, to some of the most virtuosic renaissance recorder repertoire. James has also emerged as one of Australia's premier young composers, most recently representing the Pacific region as a songwriter for the Commonwealth ‘Year of the Youth’ Anthem. He has won awards in several national and international competitions, and had his piece ‘Starlight’ performed at the Sydney Opera House in 2018. James has always been drawn to liturgical music, which led him to join the Choir of St James’ as a Tenor Choral Scholar at the age of 15. Still regularly singing with the Choir, James is very excited to be embarking on a new chapter as Organ Scholar from August 2023. Outside of his musical endeavours, he has represented his school in fencing, rowing, linguistics, and athletics. James also enjoys painting, drawing, and writing poetry.

Bailey Yates, organ scholar at St James' Church

Bailey Yeates

Bailey Yeates completed his schooling at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield in 2023, having been the Brother McGlade Organ Scholar, and the Performing Arts Captain, and is currently studying Classical Performance in organ under Thomas Wilson at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Prior to this he had been an organ student of both Philip Swanton and Mark Quarmby. Bailey also studied choral conducting with Dr Neil McEwan AM for several years. Bailey is also the Organ Scholar in Residence at St Paul’s College, within the University of Sydney. Prior to taking up the position of Norma Shore Organ Scholar at St James’ Church in February 2026, Bailey was for several years the Parish Organist of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Burwood. He is a two-time winner of the intermediate section of the Sydney Organ Competition, winning first prize in 2023 and 2024, has recently performed with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, and regularly performs in various recital series’ around Sydney. In 2025 Bailey took part in an international tour as both organ scholar and chorister with the Choir of St Paul’s College, performing and singing services in Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster, as well as churches in Paris, including St Sulpice, St Eustache, and La Madeleine. Bailey has participated in organ masterclasses with high-profile organists including Anne Marsden Thomas, Thomas Ospital, Thomas Trotter, and Daniel Roth, and in a choral conducting masterclass with James O’Donnell. Bailey is a keen advocate for church music and traditional liturgy and looks forward to gaining further experience in these, and other fields, as Norma Shore Organ Scholar of St James'.

The St James' Foundation Choral Scholarships

Prior to tertiary study, Brooke studied Piano with Sharlie Pettit and Neta Maughan, Harpsichord with Paul Dyer, and composition with Trevor Pearce, Richard Vella, and Gillian Whitehead. Brooke began composition training at a young age after twice winning the SSO Schools Composers Competition. Around the same time, she developed an interest in Early Music, particularly medieval and renaissance vocal music, vocal ensemble tuning, and performance practice.

Whilst studying Composition for a Bachelor of Music (Hons) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Brooke joined the Choir of St James’, which fostered her interest in Early Music performance practice, and gave her the opportunity to composer choral music for the liturgy. She continues to write music for choirs to this day.

In 2000, Brooke was awarded the inaugural St James’ Music Foundation Scholarship, which, along with a scholarship from the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, allowed her to undertake a Master of Music in Advanced Musical Studies degree, majoring in Historical Musicology at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Brooke always had an interest in popular music, particularly Scandinavian metal music. Being exposed to sacred renaissance music at St James’ King Street, and listening to the improvisations of Organist David Drury, led Brooke to form the band, Resonaxis. Resonaxis was perhaps the only band in the world that included a classical organist, and which performed music written by Brooke influenced by Scandinavian metal, renaissance and sacred choral music. Brooke’s music has led her to be interviewed on a number of ABC Radio National programs (Andrew Olle and The Rhythm Divine), and reviews of her music have appeared in European progressive music magazines and ezines.

Her singing teachers have been Jane Edwards, Martin Elliott, and Nancy Long, all of whom have taught her to work as best she can with her self-described ‘limited’ vocal instrument. Brooke sings with the Choir of St James’ King Street and Sydney Antiphony, and has sung with the Australian Brandenburg Choir, as well as numerous London church choirs. She has provided vocals for Nick Littlemore on a number of projects including The Two Leaves, appearing on the albums Elton John vs Pnau, and White Shadows. Brooke’s last popular music project The Choir Lab (supported by The St James’ Music Foundation), was inspired by working with Littlemore and by hearing members of the Choir of St James’ ‘muck around’ in the choir room, singing in genres from rock to Broadway.

In 2015 The St James Foundation Limited founded the Margaret Norman Choir Scholarships, named after a benefactor of the Foundation. Three scholarships were awarded that year; to Josi Ann Ellem, Ria Andriani and Patrick Baker.

2016 saw two scholarships given; to Lauren White and Elise Morton.

Lauren White continued her scholarship in 2017, with Cronan Yu receiving the second scholarship, following Elise Morton’s departure to France.

2018 saw Aidan O’Donnell receiving a third scholarship for the year, with Elise and Cronan continuing to hold the remaining two scholarships.

In 2019 it was decided to include the Organ Scholar in the Margaret Norman Scholarship programme, having all music scholarships under the same programme. Cronan completed his scholarship in May and Harry Brookes-Owen took up the choral scholarship in August, with Aidan and Elise continuing to hold scholarships. Stacey Yang became the interim organ scholar over the summer period.

2020 saw a major movement in choral scholarships. Elise completed her scholarship in March and Harry completed his in April. New scholarships were given to Ines Paxton in November and to Cassandra Doyle in December. Aidan continued to hold his scholarship. Callum Knox took up the Organ Scholarship.

The 2021 choral scholars have continued to be Aidan, Ines and Cassandra, with Callum holding the Organ Scholarship.

Aidan, Ines and Cassandra continued with their choral scholarships in 2022, as did Callum with his Organ Scholarship.

In 2023 Aidan O’Donnell and Ines Paxton became regular full members of the choir and Cassie Doyle left the choir to concentrate on her final year at the Conservatorium. June 2023 saw three new choral scholarships awarded to Josephine Brereton (soprano), Lucy Blomfield (alto) and Aaron Erdstein (tenor).

In 2024 four choral scholarships were named as Parishioner Choral Scholarships, after a parishioner supporting new choral scholars, with one choral scholar remaining as a Margaret Norman Scholar.

2024 saw Josephine promoted to a full member of the choir. Lucy and Aaron continued as choir scholars and three new choral scholarships were awarded to Veronica Vella (Soprano), Elinor Trevelyan-Jones (Alto) and Gabriel Desiderio (Bass).

Sebastian Stagg was awarded a tenor scholarship in 2025 as well as Isander Mesimeris being awarded a bass scholarship. Veronica continued as a soprano scholar.

Josi Ann Ellem 2015 Scholar

Josi is a young upcoming soprano from Sydney, Australia studying a Masters of Opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Maree Ryan (AM). She graduated a Bachelor of Music Performance in voice from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2017. Her final recital mark was the highest recorded by the vocal department, equal to only one other student before her. The institution awarded her both the Geoffrey William Rothwell scholarship and Demant Dreikurs scholarship for excellence in Lieder. During her undergraduate studies Josi had the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist with the Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble and Choir in Handel’s “Israel In Egypt” (2016), as a featured soloist with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and Choir in Mozart’s “Grosse Messe” (2017) and with the postgraduate Opera School as Papagena in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” (2017). Josi was also selected to study at the Conservatorium’s summer school program “Estivo” in Verona under scholarship in June 2017. As a choral scholar of St James King Street Josi developed a love for the church and sacred music. Highlights include singing as a chorister with Yvonne Kenny in 2015, singing as soloist with Teddy Tahu Rhodes in 2016 and touring to England, France and Turkey. During these tours she performed at venues such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Atheneum Club in a concert recorded by Abbey Road Studios. In Turkey she had the honour of singing with the choir for the Gallipoli Dawn Service 2017. In the future Josi hopes to continue her studies in Europe so that she may further explore opera, lieder and sacred music.

Ria Andriani, 2015 choral scholar at St James' Church

Ria Andriani 2015 Scholar

Ria Andriani discovered St James' Church during one bright Sunday morning. Being a keen chorister, she stayed. A few years later, she found herself one of the inaugural recipients of the Margaret Norman Scholarship in 2015. During her scholarship, Ria took part in the St James' Choir European tour, which remains one of the highlights of her musical career. Ria holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She has studied singing with Kathleen Connell, Nancy Long (former member of St James' Choir) and Koen Van Stade. She has also learned from Dame Emma Kirkby, Carolyn Sampson and Jessie Cash during her various journeys to Dartington International Summer School. Ria is a former member of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and the Burgundian Consort. She currently sings with Sydney Chamber Choir under Richard Gill. In collaboration with other musicians, Ria also presents lunchtime solo recitals. She takes an active part in the St James' music ministry. Ria is a fluent Braille music reader and transcriber. In her spare time, she enjoys having adventures with her guide dog Max.

Patrick Baker 2015 Scholar

Patrick Baker graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) from the ANU School of Music in 2012, where he studied under Christina Wilson and Alan Hicks. During the course of his studies he performed in a number of operas and participated in master classes and performances with guest artists such as the Tallis Scholars and the Song Company. Patrick has sung in a number of choirs including Cantillation, Coro, and the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Choir, and in 2018 he was a participant in SongCo Lab with the Song Company. He has been a member of Luminescence Chamber Singers since their inception, and has sung and toured with Gondwana Chorale. In 2015 he was awarded a choral scholarship with the Choir of St James’ in Sydney, becoming a full member in 2016 and joining them on their successful European tour of that year. 2017 saw Patrick complete his Master of Music Studies (Composition) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music studying under Carl Vine. As a composer, Patrick has had works performed and workshopped both nationally and internationally, including radio broadcasts.

Elise Morton, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2016 to 2020

Elise Morton 2016 - 2020 Scholar

Elise is a third-year student at the University of Sydney pursuing a degree in International and Global Studies and as part of this, she is currently undertaking a year of study in Lyon, France. Elise’s musical background stems from learning to play the harp at a young age which led her to become the youngest person to have received the highest mark in an AMEB exam at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. Despite her love of harp, Elise soon realised that her primary interest was in composing music and she pursued this throughout high school, graduating with full marks in extension music composition and a nomination for the prestigious ‘Encore’ showcase. Elise continues compose and to occasionally work with her harp; often accompanying herself while singing at various corporate, personal, and charitable events. A realisation towards the end of her secondary studies that she could sing brought Elise to eventually audition for the Choir of St James, and she became Choral Scholar in November 2016. In the future, Elise hopes to continue making music alongside her main pursuits in government and humanitarian work.

Lauren White, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2016 to 2017

Lauren White 2016 - 2017 Scholar

Lauren started her musical training at age 8 with the piano followed by the flute. As a high school student she switched to double bass and began classical voice training. She was also involved in choirs and instrumental ensembles at Fort Street High School and the NSW Arts Unit, which lead to performances in Europe and the United States. Lauren discovered jazz and improvised music in high school and is now studying jazz bass at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She completed her AMusA in classical voice with the Australian Music Examinations Board in 2016 and is currently a choral scholar with the Choir of St James’, allowing her to pursue both her passions of classical music and jazz. Lauren is an experienced performer as both a singer and a bassist. She performed for the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival in 2017 and has performed in prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Iridium Jazz Club (NYC), as well as at the Merimbula and Manly Jazz Festivals, and Sydney’s most prominent jazz venues. In 2015 Lauren was awarded the Jann Rutherford Mentorship Award, which allowed her to study with Zoe Hauptmann.

Cronan Yu, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2017 to 2019

Cronan Yu 2017 - 2019 Scholar

I am currently a fourth-year Bachelor of Laws/Arts student at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. Aside from my studies, I am a freelance sports journalist based in Sydney where I have worked as an editor and writer for some of the biggest sports publications in the world. In addition, I have qualifications from the Australian Music Examinations Board in piano performance and currently hold the position of choral scholar with the acclaimed Choir of St James, King Street, Sydney. Cronan completed his scholarship in May 2019.

Aidan O'Donnell, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2018 to 2023

Aidan O’Donnell 2018 - 2023 Scholar

Bass-baritone Aidan O’Donnell is a passionate and animated performer whose love for storytelling is conveyed through his singing. Currently in his fourth year of studies for classical voice at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of David Greco, Aidan has participated and performed in a range of performances and positions including his current position as a choral scholar at St James King Street. As well as choral singing, Aidan has been a part of many performance productions, masterclasses and competitions featuring as a soloist. Most notably, he attended and participated in the Melbourne international festival for lieder and art song in 2019 conducted by Professor Graham Johnson. Aidan played the role of ‘The Judge’ in the Musgrove Opera show ‘Pinocchio’ in 2018 and on tour in 2019. Aidan was awarded as a finalist in the Demant Dreikurs Song Competition in 2020 and was honoured to feature as part of the young stars of Australian Opera in the 2020 Carols in the Domain. Most recently, Aidan performed in the second Musgrove Opera production, ‘Hansel and Gretel’, as the father. In 2023 Aiden became a full member of the choir.

Harry Brookes-Owen, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2019 to 2020

Harry Brookes-Owen 2019 - 2020 Scholar

Harry’s interest in singing began at the age of five when he performed his first solo with a choir at an event at his primary school. From there, he moved to Hereford Cathedral School to become a chorister in 2009. Spending four years singing eight services a week at the highest level taught him a great deal about choral music from an early age. During those years as a chorister, he toured South Africa, sang for members of royalty and took part in several broadcasts of services. His time as a chorister gave him an invaluable insight into the discipline and commitment required to be a successful singer and helped shaped his personality. When his voice changed, he was keen to continue singing. Harry was fortunate to be able to pursue his interest in sacred and secular choral music through membership of several choirs: Holy Trinity Choir, Hereford, Hereford Chamber Choir, Hereford Voluntary Choir, Hereford Choral Society and Hereford Cathedral School Chamber Choir. Initially singing as a tenor and then as a bass in these choirs, he was able to develop key life skills from these choir’s such as punctuality and being responsible for your own part as it is very easy to let other members do the work for you. In September 2018, Harry took up the position of Countertenor choral scholar at Hereford Cathedral and in September 2019, he became the bass choral scholar at St James Parish Church, Sydney. Harry has also been offered a choral scholarship place at Portsmouth Cathedral in September 2020. Outside of the music world, Harry is a keen sportsman, playing at county standards in both rugby and cricket. This involves travelling all over the UK to play fixtures. Harry recently currently completed his A level exams at Hereford Sixth Form College. Harry completed his scholarship in April 2020.

Ines Paxton, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2020 to 2023

Ines Paxton 2020 - 2023 Scholar

Ines’ first experiences of singing were as a cantor at her parish in North Sydney, and later in choirs at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College. She is now in her final year of a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Since commencing at the Conservatorium, Ines has performed in various ensembles, including the Chamber Choir and the opera chorus, and as a soloist in a virtual performance of Mozart’s Requiem. In 2019, she travelled to Chengdu, China with the Modern Music Ensemble to perform as a soloist in the Sister Cities Youth Music Festival. She has also performed in two premieres with Musgrove Opera, singing the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel in 2021. Ines became a full time member of the choir in 2023.

Cassandra Doyle, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2020 to 2023

Cassandra Doyle 2020 - 2023 Scholar

Cassandra is a young mezzo-soprano in her second year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, completing a BMus Performance (Classical Voice) studying under Dr. Rowena Cowley. In 2020, she was awarded the Patricia Bell Grant to undertake vocal studies at the Sydney Conservatorium. Her roles covered include the Spirit in Holst’s ‘Savītrī’, a chorus member in Gluck’s ‘Orfeo Ed Euridice’ (The Cooperative), Phoebus in Purcell’s ‘Fairy Queen’ (The Concordia Ensemble), Leila in Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Iolanthe’ (Conservatorium High School), Prince Charming in ‘Cinderella’ (Open Academy) and a chorus member in the Conservatorium High schools productions of ‘A Bernstein Story’ and ‘Shrek’. During her studies at the Conservatorium High School, she was a featured artist in the NSW Schools Spectacular and a concert soloist at the Sydney Opera House for the NSW Arts Unit Festival of Music. In 2019, Cassandra performed as a soloist with SUMS in Rossini’s ‘Petit Messe Solennelle’ mass. Cassandra has toured extensively with Gondwana Choirs and Sydney Children’s Choir throughout Asia, the Baltics, and Iceland. She currently sings with St James Choir as a choral scholar, and has developed a love for sacred music. Cassandra left the choir in 2023 to concentrate on her final year at the Conservatorium.

Josephine Brereton, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2023 to 2024

Josephine Brereton 2023 - 2024 Scholar

Josephine Brereton is a young soprano living, studying and performing in Sydney. She currently studies Music Education and Classical Voice at the Sydney Conservatorium, and is completing her final year of her bachelors degree. Since 2019, Josephine has begun to establish herself as both a solo and ensemble artist in various companies based in Sydney. After a brief collaboration with Concordia Ensemble as a soloist, chorister and choral director, she auditioned for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and has since performed in 9 programs with them, including their nationally televised performances of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She began singing with Cantabile Choir since 2021 as a soprano, and has since performed a number of events with the group. She has sung with many highly regarded choirs in Sydney, including the Sydney Conservatorium Choir, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Cantillation, and most recently, the Choir of St James Church, King Street. In late 2022 she joined Rockdale Opera Company for their Opera Gala and performance of Die Fledermaus in the role of Adele, performing the much loved Laughing Song. In early 2023, she made her debut as a choral soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in their performance of Eriks Esenvalds Passion and Resurrection. She is excited to begin this new chapter as the Soprano Scholar at St James and looks forward to fine tuning her choral skills. In July 2024 Josepine became a full member of the choir.

Lucy Blomfield, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2023 to 2024

Lucy Blomfield 2023 - 2024 Scholar

Lucy Blomfield is in her 4th year of composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, currently undertaking her honours degree. She is studying under Australian composer, Paul Stanhope, and has a particular interest in writing choral music. She has recently had works premiered by the University of Houston’s new music ensemble, Aura, and the Sydney Conservatorium’s Chamber Choir. Lucy is passionate about working with and performing with ensembles, and recently had her conducting debut with the Beecroft Orchestra. Lucy has been involved in numerous choirs and ensembles throughout her life and currently sings with the St Paul’s College choir and is looking forward to singing with St James’ Church as a choral scholar.

Aaron Erdstein, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2023 to 2024

Aaron Erdstein 2023 - 2024 Scholar

Aaron Erdstein is a Tenor in his second year of a Bachelor of Music (Performance – Classical Voice), studying under Russell Harcourt at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Aaron’s passion for live performances began when he started at Knox Grammar School and it was through music programs and extra-curricular activities that he developed his skills in singing. During his time at Knox, Aaron was a member of various vocal groups including the Gallery Choir, Motet Choir, Voice Male Choir and Chapel Choir. In 2019, he became the Assistant Head Chorister of the school, and ultimately the Head Chorister in 2020-2021. He was awarded the Michael Ling Memorial Prize for Service to School Chapel (Singing) in both 2016 and 2017 and The Fisher Prize for Service to the Chapel through Music in 2021. In March 2023 he was awarded a Tenor Choral Scholarship at St James King St. Aaron is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the Violin since 2008, and the Bagpipes since 2014. He was a member of Knox’s Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber Strings and the Pipes and Drums Band. He was also Concertmaster of the Knox Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra and Chamber Strings in 2021 and the Pipe Major of Knox Grammar School’s Pipes and Drums Band in 2020-2021. He has achieved his Grade 6 AMEB in both Violin and Classical Voice with Distinction. Aaron has been involved in school musical performances of Charlie Brown and Beauty and the Beast. He has performed the Tenor solo in Stainer’s Crucifixion (Knox Grammar). More recently, in 2022 Aaron was invited back to Knox to sing the Tenor solo in Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary at the Annual Easter Service. In addition to choral singing, Aaron joined Concordia Ensemble in 2023, understudying Valens in Handel’s Theodora and singing in the chorus of this oratorio (2023). In 2023, he performed at the ‘Music for the Lunar New Year’ at the Art Gallery of NSW and at the Nan Tien Temple’s ‘Buddha Birthday Festival’. He is a member of St Paul’s College Chapel Choir at The University of Sydney.

Elinor Trevelyan-Jones, 2024 choral scholar at St James' Church

Elinor Trevelyan-Jones 2024 Scholar

Elinor Trevelyan-Jones is an alto emerging in Sydney’s choral scene. She has been singing with The Choir of St James’ over the past year and has recently become a regular member of the choir as a choral scholar. Elinor sings with The Choir of St Paul’s College within the University of Sydney with whom she has participated in various regional tours and most recently, a performance of Handel’s Messiah. With a passion for baroque music, Elinor regularly performs as a chorus member of the Sydney Cantata Project, sharing the renowned cantatas of Bach to various parishes across Sydney. In 2023, Elinor was invited to join The Choir of Trinity College, Melbourne on their tour of Italy, Ireland and the UK where she performed in St Peter’s Basilica, Westminster Cathedral and within various university colleges in Cambridge.

Gabriel Desiderio, 2024 choral scholar at St James' Church

Gabriel Desiderio 2024 Scholar

Gabriel (Gabe) Desiderio is a third-year voice student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying under Dr. David Greco. He has been a passionate singer since age 6 and currently works as a choral scholar at the Choir of St James' King Street and the choir of St Paul's College Sydney, where he is a second-year resident and Glendonbrook Foundation scholar. Gabe co-founded the all-male vocal consort False Relations (2019-2023), and has worked closely with Australian vocal ensembles such as The Song Company and Luminescence Chamber Singers and as such, he is ardently committed to producing close vocal ensemble and solo music of outstanding quality.

Veronica Vella, choral scholar at St James' Church from 2024 to 2025

Veronica Vella 2024 - 2025 Scholar

Soprano Veronica Vella is a 3rd year Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying under the tutelage of Christina Wilson. Her performance experience spans opera, oratorio, and choral music, including roles and chorus credits in Operas such as The Fairy Queen (Purcell), Don Giovanni (Mozart), and Hansel und Gretel (Humperdinck). She also featured as a soloist in Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit. Previously a Choral Scholar at St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church St Laurence, Veronica has been a soloist with various Conservatorium ensembles and recently toured Europe with the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Choir. Later this year, she will tour England and Paris with St Paul’s College Choir. In 2024, Veronica received multiple accolades at the Sydney and Wollongong Eisteddfods, including 1st place in Lieder and high placements in Italian, French song, Oratorio and Opera categories. Her collaborations include Trackdown Studios, Cantillation, and the Sydney Cantata Project. Veronica has recently joined St James’ King Street as a Soprano Choral Scholar and is excited to develop her skills and contribute to the choir’s esteemed musical tradition.

Sebastian Stagg 2025 Scholar

Sebastian Stagg is a young tenor from Tasmania, currently based in Sydney where he is in his first year studying Classical Voice Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Sebastian started his journey with music with an informal singing education at age eight, shortly followed by piano lessons at nine and has had a passion for music performance since. Sebastian's choral experience began in Hobart at The Hutchins School, where he was made captain of the Music Vocal program in 2024 after being a member of multiple vocal and instrumental ensembles since he started at Hutchins in 2019. He was awarded the Jeffrey Molesworth Boyes Memorial Choral Scholarship in 2024. Sebastian was involved in several school musical productions and a local musical theatre troupe while in Hobart. Sebastian's formal classical singing education began in 2023, providing him with a basis of training to achieve a high distinction in the University of Tasmania's University Connections Program Practical Studies course in 2024 - performing programs of art and folk song, and German lied. While studying at USYD, Sebastian is staying at St Paul's College where he is a member of the chapel choir and a Glendonbrook Foundation Scholar. In liturgical music, Sebastian began his involvement in mid-2024 by joining the Choir of St David's Cathedral in Hobart where he was a choral scholar until his move to Sydney in early 2025. Sebastian was awarded a Tenor Choral Scholarship at St James King St in March of 2025.

Isander Mesimeris, 2025 choral scholar at St James' Church

Isander Mesimeris 2025 Scholar

Isander Mesimeris is a baritone currently in his fourth year of a combined Arts/Law degree at Sydney University. He is currently studying singing under the tutelage of Dr David Greco. Isander began his musical journey playing the violin from a young age and developed a passion for voice in later years of high school. Isander's immersion in choral music began as a scholar in the choir of St Paul's College, within the University of Sydney, and he accompanied that choir on its 2024 tour of the UK and France, which included services at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and York Minster, as well as concerts in La Madeleine and St Eustache. Isander was recently awarded the bass scholarship in the choir of St James' King Street, where he has especially enjoyed gaining more exposure to a wide range of early music. Beyond the church music scene, Isander harbours a particular interest in 20th Century English Art Song.