Damien grew up in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. He is the youngest of four children & the youngest of sixteen grandchildren on his mother’s side.
Music & theatre was a huge part of Damien’s early life, as his mother always says “he sang before he spoke but this was because everyone else in the family didn’t give him a chance to speak.” No one else in the family involved in music or theatre at all but had a great love for it so it was an easy acceptance into the lives of the Noyce family which had been heavily academic & sport focused. As when Damien was in the first grade he came home one day & surprised everyone by telling them he had the lead in the school play.
With having such a natural ability & big voice, this lead to drama lessons at most renowned theatre in the Illawarra, The Pam Dunn School of Theatre. Pam Dunn (OAM), herself saw the natural ability & pure talent that Damien presented in his first production with her playing “Dopy” in “Snow White & the Dreadful Dwarves.” Pam nurtured Damien’s talent for over 15 years at the school & they remained friends until her death in 2005. Whilst at the Pam Dunn School of Theatre Damien performed lead roles by all the classic playwrights. Some highlights were: Thomas O’Beckett in “Murder in the Cathedral, “Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov in “The Proposal,” Henry Higgins in “Pygmalion” and the title role of ”Hamlet.”
Damien won numerous awards while at the school including Pam’s award for the best actor for over her 33 years of teaching. Damien accredits learning his craft from Pam & every style of acting possible & how to use it.
While in school Damien won numerous awards & scholarships at competitions & eisteddfods. One of which lead him to the honour of being accepted into the New South Wales Public School Singers. Damien was a part of this group for two years and contributed doing many recordings, special events, touring the USA and being in the Sydney 2000 Olympic & Paralympic Choirs.
At the end of grade 11 Damien was talent spotted at a Music Teacher’s Association Concert by one of the ladies on the Illawarra Grammar School Board, soon after Damien was accepted into the school with a music & drama scholarship. Damien performed at every event while at the school but the highlight was playing “Jesus” in their production of the musical “Godspell.”
Also in his last year at school Damien attended the National Institute of Dramatic Arts on the weekends as a part of the Young Actors Studio. Damien worked with lots of industry professionals such as:
Acting & Movement – Wendy Stehlow & Peter Mochrie
TV/Film – Nick Bishop
Musical Theatre – Ana Maria Belo & Geraldine Turner
He was the Roadshow Entertainment Scholarship holder for that year.
Damien’s dance training started at Wollongong Dance World studying tap & later forms of jazz. Later he took extensive private tuition from dancer/choreographer Penne Mullins.
His singing training was with well-known classical Wollongong singer Jennifer Kuschle. She introduced him to the classical world of music & love of opera. Damien completed Grade 3 to his AmusA (Diploma in Music) in classical singing whilst studying under Jennifer.
Damien’s love for opera saw him being accepted into the Australian National University School of Music & completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance in Opera). Damien studied under opera professionals such as:
Voice – Celina Lindsley, Angela Giblin & Douglas Ahlstedt
Repetitures – Colleen Rae-Gerrard & Alan Hicks
Stagecraft – Tessa Bremner
Conductors – Max McBride, Shuya Okatsu & Julia De Plater
He also took time in the composition department because of his interest in modern classical music & opera. This got him working & premiering new works by many graduate students as well as great Australian composers Larry Sitsky (look up any titles he has), the father of Australian Opera & Jim Cotter.
“Damien broke all the rules when he began studies here as a fledgling singer: he was actually ASKING for new music to sing instead of staying on the safety track, on the road well-travelled; he wasn’t afraid to tackle works that were non-traditional and welcomed challenges head-on. Most of the staff were really surprised at this breaking of the mould of a typical singer-student. I admired his courage and applauded- and still applaud- his great enthusiasms and initiatives”. Larry Sitsky AM- one of Australia’s greatest classical composers, pianist, and music educator and scholar – Emeritus Professor of the Australian National University School of Music
Damien studied at the Penn State University for his honours year, a top 5 university in performing arts in the USA. He studied under
Voice – Dr Susan Boardman
Acting – Dr. Helen Manful
Stage Combat & Mime – Mark Olsen
Dance/Movement – Jane Gridley
“One of the best voices I have heard in years! What a powerful talent!” Dr. Sussan Boardmann – Opera & Voice Professor, Penn State University
He unfortunately left a little early when contracting glandular fever & was too sick to continue. After a long recovery Damien decided to start working in the industry and hasn’t stopped working since.
His first job was with playing “Jingle the elf” in Millennium Entertainment’s production of “Be our guest this Christmas” Written & Directed by John Rowe. This toured Singapore. Damien then went to work in shows & productions such as: his self-written, directed, produced one man cabaret show called “If Life Were A Song,” played “Giuseppe Zangara” in “Assassins,” “Cash Test Dramas” Sydney (finalist & prize winner),“Annual Sydney Cabaret Showcase,” “Short, Sweet & Song,” and “Short & Sweet Play festival.” He was flown to Ko Samui, Thailand, to sing at the Paik/Ruthling Wedding. Worked on features such as “Mao’s Last Dancer,” “The Charge” and “Thoughts;” played “William Mckenzie” in “The Experience” for the Salvation Army Annual Conferences, worked with Sydney Philharmonia and appeared in many local festivals.
Damien represented Australia as a Singer and Actor at the 13th Annual World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, USA. He brought home 5 gold medals, 1 bronze, 2 overall Champion wins, Grand Champion finalist for the WCOPA TV show, an industry award, an offer to study at the New York Conservatory & offers from Hollywood agents and managers.
Special gold medal for the finalist WCOPA TV special
The break-up of the awards and medals I received is:
Gold Medal Industry Award
Overall Champion in Vocal Broadway 25 years and up
Overall Champion in Vocal Opera 25 years and up
Gold Medal for Male Acting Comical 25-29 years
Gold Medal for Male Vocal Broadway 25-29 years
Gold Medal for Male Vocal Opera 25-29 years
Bronze Medal for Male Acting Dramatic 25-29 years
13th Annual World Championship of Performing Arts Grand Final Special – FOX News September 2009 USA.
“One outstanding individual is Mr. Damien Noyce who represented Australia at our recent 2009 WCOPA event. As the judging is done exclusively by entertainment industry executives from Hollywood, Nashville and New York, winning gold medals as well as “overall winner” titles indeed is a rare opportunity for a privileged few!
Damien possesses a highly-skilled vocal technique, superb acting skills and captivating stage presence which is compelling, strong and well beyond his years. This is documented by his successful appearances at WCOPA 2009 and in a variety of outstanding performances in Australia.
Damien’s superior talent, inimitable appearance and extraordinary capabilities have a much-needed place in and definitely welcomed by the entertainment industry.” Griff O’Neal – CEO of the World Championships of Performing Arts.
Damien almost didn’t end up going to the WCOPA due to financial difficulties. Luckily Roland Peelman (The director of The Song Company) aided him by writing to his good friend Dr. Rev. Arthur Bridge at the ARS Musica Australis Trust, seeing if he could help. Father Bridge did support him financially and was ecstatic at Damien’s results and achievements. The Trust continues to support Damien in furthering his career.
Damien then went on to direct, choreograph & star in “On Christmas Eve” for the 2009 ‘Short, sweet & Song festival,” starred as “Robin Oakapple/Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd” in Rockdale Opera Companies production of “Ruddigore” playing to sold out shows and rave reviews. Shortly after Damien started an eight month stint at Luna Park Sydney where he performed as the male featured dancer for the 1930’s Swing Dance Troup, Host, Clowns & Luna Characters.
Damien has appeared in many commercial campaigns & modelled for many photo shoots from high fashion to artist works.
Damien continues training in-between work under the amazing dance teachers at Sydney Dance Company. He has studied under Jo Estil voice teacher Kym Parrish, Opera Coaches Sharolyn Kamorly & Ingrid Sakurovs, actors, directors & industry professionals such as: Peter Andrikidis, Professor John Higgins, Richard Robineaux, Tia Jordan, Matt Young, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Roland Peelman, Ingrid Sakurovs, Kellie Dickerson, Leslie Bell, David Marquez, Lynn Ruthvn, Alex Broun, William Zappa, Jonathan Mill, Queenie Van de Zandt, Pearl Tan & Ernest Hojilla.
“Damien is an exceptionally talented young singer, actor and director who I’m sure will make a huge contribution to the Australian and international entertainment industry in the years to come – A definite big star of the future!” Alex Broun – Writer and Artistic Director, Short + Sweet Theatre.
“Damien Noyce has charisma and enthusiasm that cannot be denied!” Matt Young – Actor.
“Damien has the drive I have only seen by few. He has a natural talent to pick up any accent. His American accent is flawless and fuck can he sing!” Professor John Higgins – American Accent & Accent Specialist, Actor, Director.
Damien is very grateful for love & support from his family & the people around him and looks forward to what is to come in his exciting career!
Damien’s mission statement:
To continually work in the arts and entertainment industry creating a high standard of work at all times for the rest of my life. When I sing I soar, when I act its dynamite, when I dance I fly.
Damien Noyce.