Emerging Adelaide artists set to shine at Voicehouse Showcase
Adelaide’s next generation of vocalists will showcase their talents on one of the city’s most iconic stages in December when Voicehouse Vocal Studios hosts its inaugural Showcase at The Gov.
Elli Agars – half of the Adelaide Hills acoustic duo, Woodfolk – tells CityMag that since she had open heart surgery in 2018, she decided to pursue her love of singing.
“After I recovered, I really didn’t care what people thought of me anymore – life is short, so you should really do what makes you feel happy,” she says.
“You have to be really kind of introspective and not really care what people think of you, because your voice becomes your instrument.”
Elli is one of the singers from Voicehouse Vocal Studios, where she’s honed her practice to create a warm, indie-folk sound that blends heartfelt originals and covers with rich harmonies and layered instrumentals.
“I started at Voicehouse just purely for a hobby, never intending to ever sing in front of people, and now it’s been four years, and I do it professionally,” Agars said.
“It’s about building confidence, pushing yourself to learn skills that maybe you hadn’t thought possible, connecting with people that you haven’t met before, and then doing really scary things, like singing in front of a group of people that you never thought you’d be able to do.”
The boutique vocal studio is putting on it’s first ever showcase at The Gov this weekend, helping their artists like Elli hone their stagecraft and coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Adelaide’s recognition as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music.
Voicehouse, a Gilles Street studio, operates as Adelaide’s largest, with a team of five coaches serving a student base of more than 200 members.
Through its Performance Pathway Program, students refine their skillsets as they progress from beginner performances at Voicehouse Underground to larger public recitals like Showcase to build confidence, exposure, and experience on stage.
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Coach Heidi Salehhudin says the Showcase marks an exciting milestone for the studio.
“This year will be the first time that we’re actually putting on something as big as the Showcase,” she says.
“It’s about giving them the tools they need to get up on stage and do a good job, whatever it is that they need at that particular point in time.”
Three of the studio’s emerging talents are among those performing at this year’s event.
Nadil Bandara is a dynamic vocalist and songwriter whose soulful tone blends pop, soul, and jazz. He moved from Sri Lanka to Adelaide in 2023 and quickly found his place at Voicehouse.
“I just basically Googled voice lessons in Adelaide, did my research, and decided to go with them,” he says.
Currently in an experimental stage, Nadil is exploring a wide range of styles.
“I’m definitely experimenting with everything. Those are the genres I’m into as well,” he says.
Voicehouse has helped him build technical confidence and stage presence.
“The main reason I started lessons was that I was having trouble with my range. Amelia (Shinks) has been fantastic in helping me understand my strengths because having good technique is the foundation for artistic expression,” Nadil says.
Despite stage nerves, he embraces live performance.
“I’m very nervous as a performer, but when I’m on stage, I just switch off. Being nervous is good because it means you care about doing a good job,” he says. The Showcase will mark his first time performing original songs for a live audience.
For Nadil, music is more than performing.
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“Music is my passion, and I do it because it’s an avenue for self-expression. It’s not about how many listens I get, that’s just a byproduct,” he said.
As a wheelchair user, he also values Adelaide’s inclusive music scene.
“Adelaide’s music scene is incredibly diverse. Voicehouse has made me feel completely included, making sure venues are accessible and that I can perform without any barriers,” he says.
Charlotte Victory is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter known for her acoustic and indie sound. She is already releasing original music and is working toward her debut EP. Charlotte credits Voicehouse with helping her grow as a performer.
“Coming to Voicehouse has really helped me, because my teachers tell me how the music scene works, how music is promoted, and of course, the vocal side – how to control your breath and hit those high notes. I feel way better equipped than I was at the start of the year,” she says.
Her first single, ‘May’, was inspired by her sister turning 13.
“I suddenly realised we’re not the same little kids we used to be,” Charlotte says.
“Having an opportunity to get up in front of people and tell my story is really special. It’s not only a great way to practice translating my story to the crowd vocally and emotionally, but also to build confidence on stage.”
The Showcase will also highlight the guidance of Voicehouse coaches, including Melissa Agnello.
“As a coach, I just focus on instilling confidence in their abilities – knowing they can write, play, and sing,” Melissa says.
“Voicehouse is for anyone who wants to sing, feel part of something, and improve their voice. It’s all about having fun, giving it a go, and working with like-minded people.”
The Voicehouse Showcase will take place at The Gov on Monday, 1 December 2025, with doors opening at 6:30 pm.
“We come from a city that really supports and loves the arts,” Elli says.
“It’s a pretty exciting time for Voicehouse, for Adelaide and the music scene – it looks like everything’s on the up.”
Heidi agrees, saying the Showcase highlights Adelaide’s strong creative culture.
“We’ve got so much local talent here that the world needs to see,” she says.
“They need to get out there.”
