A horrific car crash in Sydney in 2020 left Sunshine Coast-born soprano Jacqueline Ward with spinal and sternal injuries to her upper body and a fractured leg.
The classically-trained singer had to learn to balance to walk again.
Despite a lengthy recovery, Jacqueline never lost sight of her dream to perform again. And now the former Nambour State High School student is set to make her soprano soloist debut in concert with Noosa Orchestra on Saturday 7 September.
The road to recovery, however, has been a bumpy ride.
Covid-19 lockdowns put paid to a number of performances Jacqueline had lined up with Sydney orchestras and she stopped training.
When Jacqueline and her young family moved to Tasmania in 2022 she resumed lessons in Hobart as part of her rehabilitation. Three years after the accident, Jacqueline was ready to return to the stage. She entered the Hobart Eisteddford in 2023 and walked away with five wins out of six sections.
“It was a really encouraging experience for me and a very positive atmosphere,” she said.
The soprano, whose voice has been described by critics as “silvery”, “crystal” and “bell-like”, says she has quite a high voice that’s very light but can still pack a punch.
“I think it has a warmth to it as well, which has certainly developed as my voice has reached maturity.”
Far from being crushed by adversity, the 33-year-old opera and contemporary singer talks about how hardship has imbued her singing with a new responsiveness.
“I like to think that the experiences I have been through and the trust (or faith) that has developed in my life enables me to put a lot more feeling into my singing, and hopefully the audience feels it as well.”
The arias Jacqueline will sing are essentially about love (and conflict) and here she shares her thoughts about the musicality of each.
“You will hear some unexpected tonal transitions that keep the listener unsettled by way of moving further into the beauty than one anticipates,” she said.
“Perhaps it is less about death and more about transition.”
Jacqueline said growing up she never dreamed she would one day sing opera because it was so foreign to her. And while she excitedly says it “feels right” to be returning home to perform, the prodigal soprano admits it’s also “a bit of a strange feeling”.
“I had some difficult years growing up,” Jacqueline said.
“Music was taking root and blooming within me but back then I didn’t always have family support to pursue music.
“So this time, to be sort of hovering above the hard things of my younger life, it feels a bit poetic and I’m grateful for what I have.
“To sing at ‘home’ is a real joy. And it’s like an answer to the questions that child-me had years ago.
“I hope I can give something special to the community.”
Event details:
What: Soprano Jacqueline Ward with guest harpist Sharon Matheson in concert with Noosa Orchestra and ensembles, conductor Antoni Bonetti
When: Saturday 7 September at 2.30pm
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Hall (Noosaville)
Tickets: Adults $35 | Students (18+) $15 | School age $10 on trybooking.com (plus booking fee) or $40 at the door (cash only).
