So You Think You Can Belto? – Details, episodes & analysis

Recorded Apr, 2024.

Australian soprano Morgan Balfour made her San Francisco Symphony solo debut in 2023 with Bach’s Magnificat, conducted by Dame Jane Glover. In the same year, she made her European debut with Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart’s JSB Ensemble under the baton of Hans-Christoph Rademann and received praise for her "crystal clear tone (that) conveyed a broad palette of emotional and vocal colors."

During the 2024/25 season, Morgan will perform in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen with Pinchgut Opera, appear as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro with Pocket Opera, sing the soprano solo in Carmina Burana with Schola Cantorum and join Sacramento Baroque Soloists in Masterpieces from France.

With a strong affinity for early music and the concert stage, Morgan has performed as a soloist with numerous companies, including Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Sydney Philharmonia, Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Cantata Collective. In 2022 she was a Virginia Best Adams Fellow at the Carmel Bach Festival.

Some of her concert repertoire includes Vaughan William’s Serenade to Music (Sydney Philharmonia), Bach’s Mass in B Minor (San Francisco Bach Choir), Handel’s Messiah (Chora Nova), Mozart’s Requiem (Sydney University Graduate Choir), Haydn’s Missa brevis (Masterworks Chorale), Bach’s Missa Divi Xaverii (California Bach Society), Bach’s Actus tragicus (Central Coast Chamber Choir), Whitbourn's Annalies (UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus) and numerous other Bach cantatas with Cantata Collective.

Morgan has performed the role of Cephise in Rameau’s Pigmalion with both Pinchgut Opera and American Bach Soloists. She also appeared as Honour in Purcell’s King Arthur with the Brisbane Baroque Festival. 

As a Resident Artist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Morgan spent the 2019 - 2020 season covering the roles of Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Musetta in La bohème and was scheduled to perform Mrs Grady in The Shining (covid19).

Other operatic credits include Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, the titular role in Rodelinda, Frasquita in Carmen, Younger Alice in Glory Denied, Meleagro in Handel's Atalanta, Governess in The Turn of the Screw, and Annina in La traviata. 

Alongside her work as a soloist, Morgan is an AGMA member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and has participated in numerous projects including the GRAMMY Award-winning recording of Kaija Saariaho’s Adriana Mater. Morgan has also performed as a member of the San Francisco Opera Chorus and regularly appears with American Bach Soloists Cantorei. 

Morgan has numerous awards from appearing in the international competition circuit. She was the 2019 Handel Aria Competition First Prize Winner, 2022 Lyndon Woodside Oratorio - Solo Oratorio Competition Esther Korshin Award Winner, 2021 Colorado Bach Ensemble Second Prize Winner and 2021 Kentucky Bach Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition Encouragement Award Winner. 

In addition to her work as a classical vocalist, Morgan can be heard on the game soundtrack of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria.

https://morganbalfour.com/

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

BUY JESSICA A COFFEE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/32TKWJ6EQ7G8N⁠⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

New episode just arrived with Jessica and Jeremy. Recorded March 2025.

LISTEN NOW: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/belto

We answered your questions! You can submit new ones always here: https://soyouthinkyoucanbelto.weebly.com/qa.html--

Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

soyouthinkyoucanbelto@gmail.com

BUY JESS A COFFEE: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/32TKWJ6EQ7G8N

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠ INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto

⁠⁠⁠⁠HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

JEREMY: www.⁠⁠⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities. #soyouthinkyoucanbelto #podcast #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto #classicalmusic #australianpodcast #holdingthemirror #operations #soyouthinkyoucanbel #podcast #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto #classicalmusic #australianpodcast #holdingthemirror #oper #soyouthinkyoucanbelto #podcast #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto #classicalmusic #australianpodcast #holdingthemirror #oper#soyouthinkyoucanbelto

Today's episode is with Helena Dix. Hosted by Jessica Harper.

www.helenadix.com

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

DONATE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL: Please consider a donation (PayPal link above) to help us keep making high quality content for young and emerging artists. Further, get in touch if you're interested in show sponsorship! We thank donors for their generosity.

Today's episode is with Martin Cooke.

https://www.staatsoper.de/en/biographies/cooke-martin

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

DONATE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL: Please consider a donation (PayPal link above) to help us keep making high quality content for young and emerging artists. Further, get in touch if you're interested in show sponsorship! We thank donors for their generosity.

Today's episode is two seperate interviews with Kristina Yorgova and Martin Lijauco, hosted by Jeremy Boulton.

https://www.instagram.com/kyorgova/

https://www.instagram.com/martin_alfafara/

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

DONATE: ⁠⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL: Please consider a donation (PayPal link above) to help us keep making high quality content for young and emerging artists. Further, get in touch if you're interested in show sponsorship! We thank donors for their generosity.

Today's episode is with Karina Bailey.

https://www.instagram.com/karinabaileysoprano/

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

DONATE: ⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL: Please consider a donation (PayPal link above) to help us keep making high quality content for young and emerging artists. Further, get in touch if you're interested in show sponsorship! We thank donors for their generosity.

Today's episode is with Sam Sakker.

https://www.samuelsakker.com/

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

DONATE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL: Please consider a donation (PayPal link above) to help us keep making high quality content for young and emerging artists. Further, get in touch if you're interested in show sponsorship! We thank donors for their generosity.

Jessica & Jeremy wrap up Season 1 of 'So You Think You Can Belto?' and chat about what's to come for the podcast!

You'll hear from us next on September 4, 2023.

We deeply thank and acknowledge all of the artists that have given us their time. Special mention goes also to Limelight Magazine in Australia for their coverage and support.

Please consider a donation to help us keep making high quality content for young and emerging artists. Further, get in touch if you're interested in show sponsorship!

- Jess & Jeremy xx

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Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠

TWITTER: ⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠

JEREMY : ⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

Read about Anna Dowsley: http://annadowsley.com/

DONATE: ⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.

Hosted by Jessica Harper (soprano) & Jeremy Boulton (baritone), 'So You Think You Can Belto?' was created to empower emerging operatic practitioners across Australia and the world with access to the direct knowledge and relayed experiences of professionals.

It aims to help inform emerging artists by holding a mirror to the opera system so that artists can make their own individually-informed decisions about auditions, competitions, engagements, and more. You’ll hear everything from in-depth artist interviews, to long form panel discussions on topics concerning emerging artists.

Read about Margaret Plummer: http://www.margaretplummer.com/

DONATE: ⁠⁠paypal.me/sytycbelto⁠⁠

TWITTER: ⁠⁠twitter.com/sytycanbelto⁠⁠ 

FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠facebook.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠ 

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠instagram.com/soyouthinkyoucanbelto⁠⁠

HASHTAG: #SoYouThinkYouCanBelto

JESSICA: ⁠⁠jessicaharpersoprano.com⁠⁠

JEREMY : ⁠⁠jeremyboulton.com.au⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals that appear on the program, not the views of the organisations that they are employed by, nor who they represent in other capacities.