This week we meet former PLC Armidale student, Alexandra Hutton, who now travels the world as an opera singer.
What boarding school did you go to?
PLC Armidale
What was your best experience at Boarding School?
The silly things we used to get up to in the boarding house on weekends. We used to come up with the most incredible ways to pass the time when we weren’t playing sport or doing work. I bonded with girls from all year groups in the boarding house and I have amazing friendships from school that will last forever.
Who was the most influential person for you at Boarding School?
Ultimately it was my Music teacher from years 7-9, Deidre Rickards. She nurtured and encouraged my love and talent for music and basically ordered the housemistresses to make sure that I practiced. I don’t think I would have ever have had the confidence and work ethic in this industry if it weren’t for her. I also have very fond memories of a number of boarding house mistresses who were so supportive and fun. You need that when you’re young and away from your family.
What are you doing now?
For the last 2 years I’ve been working as a Freelance Opera Singer, based mainly in the UK and Germany. In august this year I’ll be relocating to Germany to join Deutsche Oper Berlin as a young artist. It is one of the largest and most prestigious Opera Houses in Germany (and internationally renowned).
Has anything you learnt at boarding school helped you with your current career?
Being away from home! As an Opera Singer it is very rare to find a stable job (unless you join the chorus which was never for me) that keeps you in the one place for any long period of time. I moved to Sydney when I finished at PLC and then moved to London for postgraduate study at the Royal College of Music. I didn’t NEED to go abroad but there are so few jobs in Australia and I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t give it a go. Being a boarder taught me so much about looking after myself and coping with being away from loved ones for long periods.
Any advice for young kids going to boarding school?
Take every opportunity given to you and enjoy every moment. Maybe it was just me but I very rarely felt homesick because I was always so busy and having such a great time with my friends…7 days a week! I absolutely loved my time as a boarder and have a bottomless list of incredible memories.
