Carole McKenzie

Carole McKenzie

B.Mus., Dip.Ed., A.Mus.A. (Singing)

After gaining her Music Degree at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium, Carole competed in all the competitions around, culminating in winning the Metropolitan Opera Auditions (the Final being in Honolulu), the Adelaide Aria, the Melbourne and Sydney Sun Arias and the ABC’s Young Performers’ Award. Her teacher was the esteemed Bettine McCaughan. Carole was a Scholarship holder at the National Theatre Opera School, she performed as soloist in concerts and oratorios with all the major choirs in and around Melbourne, she sang with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and regularly recorded with the ABC on radio and television. She performed in Masterclasses with the late Dame Joan Hammond (on ABC TV), Hans Hotter and Eric Vierther.  During these years she was also a full-time Director of Music in schools in Ballarat and Melbourne and she also performed with choirs that performed in Australia, the US and Japan.

Using the Sun Aria Scholarships, Carole lived and worked in London for 5 years. She studied with the late Otakar Kraus, performed in operas, gave recitals at places such as Australia House, St. Martin-in-the–Fields Church, St. Thomas’ Hospital, St. John’s, Smith Square and taught in schools. During this time she briefly returned to Australia for Recitals and to perform in the State Opera of South Australia’s production of Nicholas Maw’s opera ‘One Man Show’ in Adelaide and in the Sydney Opera House.

Upon returning to Melbourne, Carole established a teaching studio, continued to sing and taught Singing and Piano at Mentone Grammar School for 20+ years. She has 2 (musical!) sons with her musician husband, Lewis Plumridge. She currently teaches at her studio in Mitcham, Melbourne and at Tintern Grammar and Yarra Valley Grammar Schools. Carole was a Singing Examiner for the AMEB  for 25+ years and has taught, examined and lectured for Monash University and the Australian Catholic University, where she has also taken Masterclasses.

Carole has been a Committee member of ANATS (Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing) since its inception 30 years ago and has been Vice President of the Victorian Chapter. She has adjudicated Singing Competitions in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia and delights in encouraging young singers to develop their ‘art’ and follow their dreams.