Audition Oracle Singers' Preparation Award Winners 2025

We’re delighted to announce the recipients of our Audition Oracle Singers' Preparation Awards 2025.

At Audition Oracle, it is a privilege to help facilitate focused, practical support. These awards were created to help artists prepare for specific, career-shaping moments — whether that’s launching a new project, stepping in front of a panel, building a professional platform, or developing the mindset to thrive on tour.

Singers' Preparation Award Winner: Joanna Harries

We are delighted to award £500 to Joanna Harries in support of documenting her “Nightingale” project — an album and recital programme, co-created with participants at Goodmayes Hospital mental health unit in Ilford.

Joanna writes: “I'm thrilled to be the winner of this award from Audition Oracle! It will be supporting video and photography for my Nightingale project — an album and recital programme with pianist Jong Sun Woo, and at its heart a new song cycle by composer Alex Groves, co-created with participants at Goodmayes Hospital mental health unit in Ilford. The programme is inspired by Herbert Howell's beautiful setting of "King David", in which a king recognises his own melancholy in the song of a nightingale, and explores what it means to listen and be heard.

I joined Audition Oracle when I was still at music college and have applied for countless opportunities through their listings. It's not a straightforward career, being a freelance signer - and so I'm especially grateful for their support in making a project like this happen. Thank you!"

Joanna’s commitment to self-creating and contributing meaningfully to the wider arts scene—particularly through projects that connect nature, music, and mental health—is something we deeply admire. As a long-standing member of Audition Oracle, it’s a pleasure to support her as she continues to lead by example. To find out more about Joanna please visit https://joannaharries.com.
 

Showcase Creative Studio Award: Emily Wishart, soprano

Congratulations to Emily Wishart, recipient of this special award, generously supported by Showcase Creative Studio and a private donor.

When applying for the Singers’ Preparation Award, Emily expressed a strong desire to develop a website tailored specifically to her needs as an artist. Thanks to the generosity of our partners — and the creativity of the Showcase team — we’re delighted to help bring her vision to life.

In a further act of kindness, photographer Julian Guidera has also offered Emily a complimentary 30-minute indoor/outdoor photoshoot to support the creation of her new site. We can’t wait to see the results!

Keep up with Emily's latest news.

Got some exciting announcements to make but no website? Check out Showcase Creative Studio’s latest offer a "Website in a Day".

www.showcasecreativestudio.com

Password: plesase type in (not copy & paste) showcase43 

Julian Guidera Studio Awards: Benjamin Gautier & Myrna Tennant

We’re pleased to award 2 x Professional Headshot Sessions with photographer Julian Guidera to Benjamin Gautier and Myrna Tennant.

Huge thanks to Julian for donating these sessions — we're excited to see the refreshed professional images that will no doubt support Benjamin and Myrna in their upcoming projects.

London based and need headshots? Discover Julian’s work.

Sharon Kempton Success Coaching Award: Melanie Ashkar, mezzo-soprano

Generously donated by coach Sharon Kempton, this award goes to American mezzo-soprano Melanie Ashkar.

Melanie was wonderfully proactive — the moment she found out, she booked in her session and is already putting it to use preparing for an audition tour across Europe. Sharon, herself a performer who transitioned to working successfully in Europe, is the ideal guide for this next chapter. We look forward to following Melanie’s journey as it unfolds.

Sharon Kempton is offering 10% discount on all coaching programmes and courses. Book a 30 minute discovery call today - https://sharonkempton-coach.com/bookacall.

Congratulations once again to all our award recipients 

Member Spotlight is Back!

We love finding out about our members and celebrating your achievements. Click the link to answer our questions to be entered into the random draw for Member Spotlight 2025.

Would you like to donate to the AO Singers’ Preparation Awards? Drop us an email and find out how you can help - hello@auditionoracle.com


With best wishes,

Melanie and all the team at Audition Oracle