The ‘Green Room’

TOM Green’s mesmerising vocals recently captured audiences around Australia as the young Wonthaggi resident toured with The Ten Tenors.

“It started with an audition tape earlier this year,” Tom said of securing the role.

“I’ve been singing all my life and have had a guitar in my hand since 2003.”

A professional vocalist, Tom is versatile from classical to pop and the many genres in between, he is also competent as a guitarist and pianist, but it wasn’t always that way.

“I started as a kid and loved music – I didn’t know much about it.

“I was not a good music student – I never practised or did any of the work.

“I was just fortunate to be given a lot of opportunities, including the Talented Students Concert (at Wonthaggi).”

Studying under local singing teachers, Tom felt more confident and applied for the Victorian State School Spectacular in 2010.

“I got to meet some awesome people and continued with a professional vocal coach.”

Performing around South Gippsland and Melbourne for many years, and winning a few eisteddfods, Tom was first introduced to musical theatre in 2014, when he performed the title role of Jesus of Nazareth in Wonthaggi Theatre Group’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

“Wonthaggi Theatre Group has been my main go to, and I’ve been involved with the local Citizen’s Band where I was their guest at their annual concerts.”

After a successful start to his career and studying a Bachelor of Classical Voice at Monash University, Tom’s tutoring kicked up a notch and he started Green Room Concept Studios (GRCS).

Bringing his passion alive, Tom’s one man show quickly grew to include ten other musically talented tutors in Dalyston.

The ripple effect seeing 140 students a week learn at GRCS.

“(GRCS) started around 2014 with me teaching voice and a bit of guitar… in 2016 I introduced a piano teacher- and from there it created a ripple effect.

“There became a want for drum lessons, so we got a drum teacher on board, then at that point piano was big enough to bring on a second teacher. Before we knew it, we were teaching most of the week.”

Lessons offered by GRCS now include voice, piano, guitar, drums, bass guitar, ukulele, band and small vocal groups.

“I’ve had a dream and had great support throughout my career in following what I always wanted to do.

“If you want to do it, you need to follow it. If you’re passionate about it, it needs to be a part of your life. 

“It’s so rewarding being able, whether its teaching, performing, singing Christmas carols or a local concert, to follow your dreams and do what you love to do.

“Don’t not do it because it doesn’t seem achievable.”

Touring with The Ten Tenors, an Australian music ensemble that has toured extensively nationally and internationally and released more than 20 albums, is an incredible accomplishment for the Wonthaggi local.

“By far one of the most amazing experiences I think I’ve ever been on.

“It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But to be able to say that I’ve travelled Australia with one of Australia’s biggest musical export groups, as one of them, and to be able to officially say, from now until forever, that I am and have been one of The Ten Tenors is absolutely amazing.

“They’re an amazing group, an exceptionally talented group of people that are not only talented, but are absolutely lovely, beautiful people to be around.”

One of the highlights for Tom on tour was performing the British and Australian National Anthems at the Wallabies versus England Game at Optus Stadium – nationally and internationally televised – in front of a 70,000 strong crowd.

“One of the other highlights was seeing all the beautiful theatres in Australia.”

For Tom the nerves will never go away.

“But that’s a good thing.

“You learn to use the nerves in a positive way to enhance your performance, not to hinder it. 

“My personal bit of advice when it comes to nerves is as soon as you stop feeling nervous, that’s when you need to stop doing it, because it means you don’t care anymore. The nerves show that you care about what you’re doing, you’re passionate about what you’re doing, and you want to give the people that are watching you the best experience that you can possibly give them.

“Nerves help you care. They help you know that what you’re feeling is valid in that moment.”