“I’d get beaten up (at school) and go home and write a song about it” -Shanul Sharma.

Indian-born Shanul Sharma discusses his career in opera on Sunday Arts Magazine.

Shanul developed a passion for music while growing up in India. He was introduced to singing through his father’s love for old Bollywood music. Music became his outlet from being bullied at school for his high-pitched voice.

Shanul launched his career as a lead vocalist in a heavy metal band, having fronted major national tours over eight years. Concurrently he explored classical music. His band disbanded in 2012. He relocated from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne in 2013, and pursued a career in opera. In late 2016 he studied for a Master of Arts in Advanced Vocal Studies at the Wales International Academy of Voice. Shanul has since starred in multiple performances for Opera Australia nationally and internationally.

He, alongside three other of Opera Australia’s finest opera singers, recently performed in the Opera Australia and BMW free open-air concert, in Melbourne at the iconic Federation Square.