The winner of the 2009 MBS National Young Performers’ Award, was soprano, Milica Ilic, 25, Queensland.

The competition took place on Saturday 28 November in Pilgrim Church, Adelaide. Other competitors were: Michael Byrne, piano Victoria, Robert Macfarlane, tenor South Australia and Emma Moore, soprano, NSW.

Milica’s prize winning performance included three operatic arias, “Ch'i bel sogno” (Puccini La Rondine) ,
“Bel raggio lusinghier” (Rossini Semiramide) and “Dis-moi que je suis” (MassenetThaïs).

The judges were Warwick D. Ross (Chair) – General Manager of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust - and
distinguished South Australian musicians, Timothy Sexton and Dr Jula Szuster. The $10,000 Travelling
Scholarship was donated by the Elizabethan Theatre Trust.

On behalf of the judges, Warwick Ross, praised all the contestants for their fine performances. The panel
believed that at a future time with continued experience and exposure, any of the four finalists could be
the winner. He looked forward to the possibility of seeing all three singers on the same operatic stage in
the not too distant future.

Serbian born, Milica Ilic, migrated to New Zealand in 1996. She began singing lessons with Professor
David Griffiths. As a member of the Young Friends of Opera New Zealand, she performed as a soloist
and in the chorus. Whilst appearing on the television series Dreams Come True, Milica met Dame Kiri Te
Kanawa and subsequently attended a weekend workshop hosted by the renowned soprano.

Milica is presently undertaking studies in a Bachelor of Music Degree at the Queensland Conservatorium
Griffith University (QCGU). She also studied German at the Goethe-Institut in Berlin (2005) and voice
with Leandra Overmann (Professor of Singing at the Academy of Music in Würzburg in Germany).

She has won the 2008 Australian National Eisteddfod, the Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Competition (at
the youngest recorded age of 19), the Elwyn Barber Memorial Encouragement Trophy, as well as a twotime
winner of both the Margaret Nixon Vocal Competition and the South East Queensland Aria and
Concerto Competition (2006 and 2008). She was also a three-time semi-finalist at the Australian Singing
Competition (2002, 2003 and 2005).

Her performances include the roles of Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Cupid in Semele and Nannetta in
Falstaff (for QCGU). This year, Milica will perform the role of Emma in the youth opera Dirty Apple and
perform in the chorus of La traviata (for Opera Queensland).

For more information about the 2009 MBS Young Performer of the Year Award contact: the convenor
Diana Harris on 0407 818 838. For information about future Awards consult 5MBS on 8323 6566 or
check the website www.5mbs.com

The South Australian selection of performers for the state Final of the Young Performer of the Year Award is conducted by the Adelaide Eisteddfod Society.