NICK DINOPOULOS

How long have you been involved with the choir, and why did you choose to teach with us?
My first involvement with the ABCI was Summer School of 2007. I'd actually interviewed for a position at the Choir the previous year and had been unsuccessful (the job going to my best friend who'd had more experience with solfa than I had at that stage!). I was delighted to get the call to say that there was a vacancy on the team about six months later though, and my association has been continuous since that time.

What does your role involve?
The job of an Artistic Director largely involves planning inspiring concerts and engaging repertoire for audiences, but also involves taking responsibility for the overall standard and goals of an Arts organisation. However, my role at the ABCI also encompasses the full responsibilities of a CEO in a corporate environment, with oversight of our staff and for setting strategic direction. You could also say the job is a bit like being the Principal of a school, except for the fact that I do work closely with the students. The other terrific part of my job is working alongside our terrific volunteer Team Leaders, who are simply amazing. We certainly couldn't achieve everything we set out to do at the Choir without them.

What do you do when you aren't working at choir?
People are often surprised to learn that I’m only engaged to work part-time in my role at the Australian Boys Choir. Over the years, the rest of the week has variously been split across a variety of activities including lecturing at both Monash and Melbourne University, teaching singing to secondary and tertiary students, and maintaining a freelance performance career as a soloist in opera, concert and recital (including as a member of the chamber music ensemble Songmakers Australia). It's all been a delicate balance, but I love the variety and wouldn’t trade it for anything (although it is often exhausting!).

What is your most cherished memory?
There have been many wonderful memories associated with my time at the Choir – every time a singer experiences personal success, for instance – but in reality, there are just too many to mention. Honestly, I’ve never felt like I didn’t want to come into work at the ABCI.

Think back to one of your favourite choir performances - how did it make you feel and why?
It is hard to pick just one, but perhaps the greatest “wow” moment was directing our singers in a performance of the immortal Bach motet Jesu, meine Freude inside the very church in Germany where Bach himself is buried. The feeling was positively spine-tingling (even despite the considerable jetlag we were all experiencing).

Why would you recommend the choir to prospective parents and children?
The Australian Boys Choir works to teach your son patience, tolerance, resilience, how to work alongside others, and how to put ego aside. Music and singing are at the very heart of what we do, but it's about so much more than that. At the end of the day, choir also principally focusses on the collective, and that is a good thing in today’s day and age.

What is your top audition tip?
For boys, have fun but do listen carefully and follow the instructions provided. For parents, an audition for the Australian Boys Choir is just another activity to try. For professional musicians, there is absolutely no substitute for preparation.

What are your long term goals?
I would like to be a little less busy, but I’m sure that will come in time! “Make hay while the sun shines” after all, no?