WAAPA Classical Voice student and soprano Erin Strle has won the inaugural Taryn Fiebig Award, instigated to honour the late, luminous, Australian soprano, Taryn Fiebig, who was born in Perth and died in March 2021 at the age of 49.

Taryn Fiebig Award

Lisa Harper-Brown (guest MC), Iain Grandage, Perth Festival Artistic Director, Emily Davis (finalist), Caitlin Forrest (finalist), Samantha Deykin (finalist), Erin Strle (prize winner), Abbey Hutcheon (finalist), Belle Parkinson (finalist), Talya Masel, Director of the Humanity Foundation, soprano Sara Macliver, soprano Emma Matthews, Head of Classical Voice and Professor David Shirley, Executive Dean of WAAPA. Photo © Stephen Heath Photography

The award was made possible by the generosity of the Humanity Foundation. It celebrates Fiebig’s memory and legacy by allocating $10,000 in prize money to a deserving WAAPA student to help them further their professional development.

Strle was announced as the winner at a gala concert held at WAAPA’s Richard Gill Auditorium in Perth on 12 August.

Six finalists were selected from WAAPA’s Classical Voice and Music Theatre programs, based on an online audition and a proposal for a study program. Accompanied by Associate Artist Tommaso Pollio on piano, they...