Dr. Tarita Botsman is a distinguished figure in the world of performing arts, boasting an impressive career spanning over twenty-five remarkable years. Her journey through opera, theatre, writing, and stage direction has cemented her reputation as a versatile artist and creative visionary.
Tarita’s journey in the performing arts began with her exceptional talent as an opera singer. Over the years, she has breathed life into more than twenty operatic roles, gracing stages across five continents. Some of her notable performances include appearances for Opera Queensland, Opera North, the Barbican Centre in London, and as a soloist with the prestigious LSO and Bayerische Staastoper in Munich from 1994 to 2006. An exceptional moment in her career saw her honored to sing for His Royal Highness King Charles during an event for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London.
Tarita’s educational journey is equally impressive, having graduated from esteemed institutions such as London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, QUT (Drama), and the University of Queensland. Her vocal training as a youth under Margaret Baker-Genovesi in Rome further refined her exceptional voice, leading her to become the youngest Australian female to make her mainstage operatic debut at the age of 21 with Opera Queensland.
Beyond her performances, Tarita’s creative spirit has led her to engage in multiple facets of the performing arts. She has directed numerous high-profile corporate music events on a global scale, showcasing her talent for curating unforgettable experiences. Tarita’s contributions to the arts have been recognized through a plethora of prestigious awards, and she has been the sole Australian representative at the finals of various international vocal competitions, including the Robert Stolz Prize in Vienna and the Veronica Dunne Competition in Dublin. Award highlights include Young Australian of the Year (QLD), Young Queenslander of the Year, the Monash University Advanced Italian Studies Award, an Ian Potter Cultural Trust Award, a Tait Memorial Trust Recipient (UK), and a Queen’s Trust Award (UK) for Excellence in the Performing Arts. Most recently, she was awarded the Paula and Tony Kinane PhD Scholarship from the University of Queensland in 2019. Tarita is also currently an Adjunct Associate Lecturer at the School of Music, University of Queensland, and has been the ceremony director of the ground-breaking Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMAs) for four years, as well as chairing the Classical Committee of the awards.
As Artistic Director of The 7 Sopranos, an international female vocal group founded by Tarita in 2009 while raising her family, she combines artistic prowess and entrepreneurial spirit, but also supports young women embarking on singing careers in the performing arts. Collaborating with Cre8ion since 2014, The 7 Sopranos has engaged over three hundred Australian opera singers and toured globally, gaining recognition and acclaim. The group has released two albums, with their debut in 2013 debuting at No. 2 on the international ARIA Crossover Charts. Limelight magazine hailed them as “Australia’s most beautiful voices,” and the Sydney Morning Herald dubbed them the “Showgirls of Opera.” Their second successful album, “Popcorn: Songs from Screen and Stage,” was released through Cre8ion, Fanfare, and Sony Records.
Most recently, Tarita’s boundless creativity has led her into the world of composition and writing, crafting the book, lyrics, and music for a major new original musical theatre work, “The Sun Queen,” set for further development in the USA in 2024/25.
Tarita Botsman is a multifaceted luminary in the performing arts. Her contributions as a writer, songwriter, lyricist, stage director, opera singer, and artistic director have earned her international recognition and acclaim. Her unique talent and enthusiastic passion for the performing arts, combined with her unwavering dedication to the arts, promise to continue shaping and enriching the world of opera, theatre, and music for years to come.
