Julie Lea Goodwin
soprano
"…she is stunning in the role, capturing Maria's innocence and passion.
She sings superbly. her soprano strong and radiant, her top register electrifying and beautiful.”
Jo Litson, Limelight Magazine (on Opera Australia’s West Side Story)
Julie Lea Goodwin is a principal soprano with Opera Australia. Recent appearances include Maria in the outdoor production of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour, Musetta in La bohème, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and Madama Cortese in Il viaggio a Reims; she also created the role of Wendy Whiteley in the World Premiere of Elena Kats-Chernin’s Whiteley. Her 2023-2024 appearances with the national company included the title role in The Merry Widow, their New Year’s Eve Gala at the Sydney Opera House and their Puccini Gala in Melbourne; she also sang The Governess in The Turn of the Screw for Hayes Theatre and Juliette in Die tote Stadt in Auckland.
In 2026, Julie Lea returns to OA as The Merry Widow and will star in their BMW Opera for All Gala.
Earlier, Julie Lea starred as Musetta in a new production of La bohème for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour and sang Greta in Metamorphosis for Opera Australia. Other roles have included Girofle/Girofla in Two Weddings One Bride, Princess Ninetta in The Love for Three Oranges, The Woodbird in Der Ring des Nibelungen and Voce dal cielo in Don Carlo.
Aged only 19, Julie Lea was invited to sing the leading role of Christine Daae in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera – starring Anthony Warlow. The following year, she played Maria in West Side Story across Australia. The Australian called hers "the standout performance with her mixture of innocence and burgeoning sexuality."
Other highlights have included the title role in The Cunning Little Vixen for Sydney Chamber Opera and her Green Room Award-nominated performance as Grace in Annie (opposite Anthony Warlow and Todd McKenney) of which The Courier Mail said: "secretary Grace is a truly wonderful example of a gifted actress with an exceptional voice working magic".
Her debut classical album Love Went a-Riding (featuring English Art Songs accompanied by Sharolyn Kimmorley) was released by Skylark Classics. Julie Lea has featured as soprano soloist with the Melbourne Symphony (The Music of AR Rahmen), the Adelaide Symphony (Gershwin’s American Songbook) and Sydney Philharmonia (A Cole Porter Celebration).
A regular star performer at corporate events, Julie Lea sang at the 85th anniversary celebration of Jaeger-LeCoultre in Malaysia, the relaunch of Hilton Sydney's Grand Ballroom, an intimate event for Holden on the State Theatre stage and the Men of League Foundation’s Gala Dinner.
Julie Lea Goodwin is a proud Ambassador for Collezione Santina Haute Couture.
Representation: Worldwide
Julie Lea’s Personal Site