WAAPA graduate, Toni Johnson is singing her way to the top. As a professional opera singer with the West Australian Opera Company she has performed in more than 25 operas and was recently named ‘Young Artist’ with the Company in 2007 and 2008. Toni has been with WA Opera since 1999 and was accepted into the Company whilst in her final year of a Bachelor of Music at WAAPA.
Some may say Toni is a WAAPA veteran. During her time at WAAPA , Toni completed several courses of study including a Certificate of Music, an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts and a Bachelor of Music (Performance) and most recently she completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management, going on to full-time work in the Marketing Department at WAAPA and then as Business Development Coordinator at the Perth International Arts Festival. In her final year of
study Toni was the worthy recipient of the Helen Court Scholarship for most outstanding final
year student.
“WAAPA provided me with a comprehensive foundation that has paved the way for my continuing operatic career. The broad structure and diversity of the degree covered all the artistic and musical elements of performance. This approach to learning the craft of Opera, together with the invaluable performance experience gained throughout my years of study, has enabled me to continue to work as a professional opera singer.”
Toni continues to look forward to a long and rewarding career on the operatic stage as she further develops her skills through performance and the many professionals that she is privileged to work with.
Showcasing studentsWhether you’re a painter, dancer or filmmaker you can be rest assured that at ECU you will learn from the best. Many of our award-winning staff have national and international reputations as being among the best in their businesses. Irrespective of your area of study, you will be supported by professionals with industry credibility and experience, providing a practical and contemporary learning environment. Specialist guest artists and lecturers also ensure you get first hand, real-world knowledge.
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts has an impressive range of production, rehearsal, teaching and performance facilities available to support students and academics in their pursuit of excellence. WAAPA now boasts twelve large rehearsal and dance studios, numerous music and ensemble studios, a specialised visual and performing arts library collection, and numerous exhibition spaces. A state-of-the-art recording studio, electronics studio, and four production workshops for design and costume making were also added to our existing workshops and behind the scenes production facilities.
The school of Communications and Arts has an impressive track record in practice lead research through exhibitions and performances held in Australia and overseas. The school is at the cutting edge of arts research and supports its post graduate students with excellent facilities and studios. Supervision is provided by our international staff who have track records in both traditional and creative research methodologies. The Spectrum project space in the city acts as an outlet for our artists in which notional ideas are tested and creative outputs are celebrated.
LINK Dance Company is part of the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and the only one of its kind in Australian tertiary education – providing a bridge for honours students to move into the professional dance world. The company is made up of dancers who have completed a three-year university dance course and have gained entry into the company by audition. In an economic and artistic climate in which professional engagements are becoming increasingly scarce, LINK Dance Company is preparing extremely talented students to be highly competitive when seeking employment.
Dancers have the unique opportunity to gain professional experience as part of their postgraduate work, whilst also being able to further their research interests. New works are created for the company by highly regarded local and interstate choreographers and the company performs for the public locally, as well as touring interstate and internationally.