New Taryn Fiebig Scholar 2026

Pinchgut Opera is delighted to announce emerging soprano Izabelle Zammit as the next recipient of the Taryn Fiebig Scholarship, honouring the extraordinary legacy of the late Australian soprano, Taryn Fiebig. Izabelle brings an engaging energy to the stage, connecting effortlessly with audiences through her expressive musicality and thoughtful artistry. She is currently in her third year of studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

In 2025, Izabelle made her operatic debut in the role of Parrwang in Parrwang Lifts the Sky, composed and directed by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, as part of a fully staged Conservatorium production. Izabelle
regularly competes in the Sydney Eisteddfod and has achieved repeated success, most notably in 2025, when she won first prize in the Female Voice category (Ages 21–26).

“I am thrilled to welcome Izabelle to the Pinchgut family,” says Artistic Director Erin Helyard. “She brings a radiant vocal quality, natural elegance, and a curiosity about the repertoire we love and champion. Taryn Fiebig was a treasured collaborator and friend to many of us, and nurturing emerging artists through this scholarship is one of the most meaningful ways we can continue her legacy. I have no doubt Izabelle’s future is bright, and we are very excited to support her journey.”

Established in 2021, the Taryn Fiebig Scholarship provides a rising Australian singer with performance opportunities, mentoring, and immersion in Pinchgut Opera’s acclaimed historically informed performance environment.
As we welcome Izabelle, we also warmly acknowledge and congratulate mezzo-soprano Olivia Payne, who has flourished as the 2024/25 Taryn Fiebig Scholar. Olivia has earned widespread praise for her evocative and expressive performances with Pinchgut, in Dido and Aeneas, Eternal Light, The Fairy Queen, and most recently in our acclaimed Messiah. We are delighted that she is now a regular member of the Opera Australia Chorus and look forward to seeing her shine on stages across the country, including future
returns to Pinchgut.
Pinchgut looks forward to supporting Izabelle as she continues to grow her career and artistry, and to introducing audiences to her exceptional talent in the years ahead.

A special recital was held to mark the announcement in December 2025, alongside previous Taryn Fiebig scholar Louis Hurley, outgoing scholar Olivia Payne, current humanity foundation scholar Freddy Shaw, continuo fellow Liam Green, Orchestra of the Antipodes cellist Anton Baba and artistic director Erin Helyard,