Vocal Coach

Vocal coach Penelope Cashman is fascinated by the magic that’s possible when music, language and emotion combine. She has performed with singers at the Haus der Musik (Vienna), Ukaria Cultural Centre (SA), and the Holywell Music Room (Oxford). Her repertoire ranges from Hildegard and Strauss to Duparc, Mazzoli and Clarke.

During the 2024 season Penelope gave four world premiere performances of vocal chamber works, including two at the Adelaide Town Hall for Chamber Music Adelaide’s Perspectives series. 2025 marks the inaugural season of Magpie Artsong, a recital series co-directed by Penelope and Kyle Stegall (tenor). This project seeks to create intimate and immersive experiences showcasing the power of artsong to evoke emotions, spark imagination, and inspire creativity and openness.

Penelope's credits include serving as pianist for the Bel Canto in Tuscany Summer Opera School (Italy) and the WAAPA International Art Song Academy. As a music director she has led chamber productions of The Old Maid and the Thief and Suor Angelica, where she was pianist for the performances. She toured to 22 schools and communities as music director and pianist for Opera Queensland’s Moving Opera. As repetiteur for State Opera South Australia she has played for productions including Così fan tutte, Madama Butterfly, and Ross Edwards’ Christina’s World.

Penelope has presented guest masterclasses at The University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music (NZ), the Elder Conservatorium, and for Co-Opera. A fluent German speaker, she teaches German and Italian lyric diction at the Elder Conservatorium and was adjudicator at the 37th National Liederfest (Melbourne). 

Her academic research regarding 19th century Viennese song repertoire and lyric diction pedagogy has earned awards from the Viennese Ministry of Culture and the University of Adelaide respectively.

Qualifications:

  • PhD, The University of Adelaide

  • MA Liedkorrepetition
    (Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien, Austria)

  • BMus, (Conservatorium van Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • BMus Hons, University Medal (Australian National University)

I love collaborating with singers, helping you to polish your performances and to access the full range of your musical and expressive capabilities. I work with professional and developing singers on song, oratorio, opera and operetta repertoire. Whether preparing for an upcoming audition or performance, or beginning work on a new aria or role, I focus on your immediate needs in order to bring your performance to the next level. I’m committed to helping you give voice to your repertoire in a way that rings true for you, and to perform with security, confidence and freedom.

About vocal coaching with me

Photos: Kate Elmes

Studio success stories:

Successful auditions:
Royal College of Music (UK)
New England Conservatory (US)
Griffith Conservatorium (Brisbane)
Royal Northern College of Music (UK)
American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz) 
West Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Prizes at: 
Bel Canto Awards
The Arnold Matters Scholarship Competition
The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria Competition
Beta Sigma Phi SA Classical Music Award
National Liederfest
5MBS Young Virtuoso Competition 
German-Australian Opera Grant

Testimonials

  • "Working with Penny has been a truly transformative and rewarding part of my classical singing life. Her passion and dedication to her craft, paired with her exceptional coaching skills and extensive knowledge have elevated my singing, unlocking so much more of my artistic and expressive potential.

    I am incredibly grateful to Penny. I value our working relationship immensely and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to any singer who is wanting to elevate their singing and performances to a new level."

    Rosie Hosking, soprano, voice teacher

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