The Talent Episode 9: mezzo soprano Isabella Hincksman and pianist Melissa Gu

Isabella studies Classical Voice with Carrie Barr at VCASS. She enjoys performing in a number of choirs and ensembles, including the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE), and has performed as a soloist many times, including at the 2022 State Schools Spectacular, and the 2023 Herald Sun Aria with the VCASS Chamber Choir. She was a 2023 Victorian Opera Youth Ambassador, and has participated in many vocal competitions, receiving awards such as the Sydney Eisteddfod Joan Sutherland Classical Vocal Scholarship (16-20), the Lynette Casey Brereton Award at the Ringwood Eisteddfod, and the Hedy Holt and Roger Prochazka Award at the National Liederfest. Isabella is also learning piano and composition, and has previously studied jazz piano and clarinet. A performance highlight for Isabella has been playing Sextus from Clemenza di Tito in a VOYCE production this year, and she hopes to study Music Performance and work overseas after school.

Isabella will perform:

• Faure: Le Secret
• Schubert: Der Doppelgänger
• Dan Walker (Australian): When Music Sounds
• Verdi: Non t’accostar all’urna

With associate artist Stewart Kelly

Melissa Gu is a 14-year-old pianist and cellist from Melbourne. Under the long-term tutelage of Miss Majella Drew, she has won numerous first prizes in local, national and international piano competitions including The National Bernstein Piano Competition Senior section, The UME Piano Competition, Monash Youth Music Festival, Eisteddfod by the Bay, Ringwood, Latrobe Valley and Boroondara Eisteddfods. 

In 2022, Melissa was awarded the Associate Diploma of Music with Distinction followed by the Licentiate Diploma of Music with Distinction in 2023, both on piano. Recently, Melissa was awarded the Kault Piano Prize from the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association for her outstanding results in LmusA.

Additionally, she holds the position of principal cellist at Loreto Mandeville Hall and is a regular contributor to their chamber music program. Melissa enjoys sharing her love of music with community groups through performances at retirement homes and local churches.

This year, Melissa is broadening her musical horizons by delving into a diverse range of music by many different composers. She is excited at the prospect of performing a major concerto with her school orchestra in the coming years.

Melissa will perform:

• Franz Liszt: Rigoletto Paraphrase
• Sonny Chua: Night Dance