Tim McCallum

Location: Brisbane, QLD

Challenge: Quadriplegic

Website: www.timmccallum.com.au

After 30 years of diverse performance experience, Timothy McCallum is one of Australia's most exciting and loved local performers and is fast becoming an international phenomenon. But it almost wasn't to be.

At the age of 18, he was well on his way to commencing a successful career in the music & theatre industry when a diving accident changed his life forever and potentially shattering his dreams of treading the boards ever again. After breaking his neck, leaving him a quadriplegic, doctors and specialists told him that he would never sing again the way he used to. But his resilient character and extraordinary spirit have touched the hearts of the arts community, as they have watched him defy the odds, rehabilitate and return to the stage to continue his performing career. Altering his singing technique to compensate for the physical challenges he faces because of his disability, he now sings better than ever, and with the voice of an angel he is able to soar to the heights of some of the great tenor arias written.

Tim adds "I went from being an enthusiastic 18-year-old knowing where I wanted to go to being in hospital lying on my back wondering where I was going to go, The interesting thing was emotionally the dream came back quicker than the voice did; it took two years to get my voice to a point where I was singing just as well as I was before my accident".

Emotionally, Tim started singing a couple of days after his accident. He adds "it was Valentine's Day and I was crooning to my nurses ... the charmer that I am".

Support from people around Tim, and taking up singing lessons just seven weeks after his accident enabled him to get to where he is today.

Tim adds "It was extremely difficult to regain my voice after my accident and was told at one point that I would never sing again".

"I've worked really hard and like everything you just have to knuckle down and get the best out of your body and surround yourself by positive people". says Tim

He has limited use of his arms and hands and relies on a dog named Roxy to get him through everyday life.

Tim's resilient character and extraordinary spirit have touched the hearts of the arts community, as they have watched him defy the odds, rehabilitate and return to the stage to continue his performing career. Altering his singing technique to compensate for the physical challenges he faces because of his disability, he now sings better than ever, and with the voice of an angel he is able to soar to the heights of some of the great tenor arias written.

Tim has dreams and hopes of performing Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Tim adds "Musical theatre has always been my first and foremost love, If I could play Phantom on any stage that would be my ultimate goal".

Tim says "I really think I could play the role from a wheelchair and the role could be suited to a performer with a disability"

He also performed the Australian National Anthem at the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final in Brisbane at the Gabba, the first time this amazing sporting event has been played at night & outside of Victoria, and his rousing rendition garnered acclaim from the 30,000 game attendees and over 3.5 million television viewers.

After his nation stopping performance on The Voice on Channel 9 in 2015, Tim has been touring much of Australia performing and speaking about his incredible journey, the barriers and challenges he has had to face and overcome to now be one of Australia's most sought after entertainers.

Incredibly, Tim has limited use of his diaphragm, a crucial factor in tenors reaching their crescendos. He adds "I have no movement from my chest down, so I have no control over my diaphragm"

Tim had adapted his singing and breathing techniques plus used his arms. Tim adds "It's all about the technique, but suspects my body had "muscle memory".

Recently Tim has appeared at the Sydney Opera House, Crown Palladium, The Queensland's Children's Telethon, and at the Nations Capitol, Parliament House, for esteemed events and functions. But more importantly, these have been opportunities for Tim to represent the disability community and showcase the talents of those who strive through adversity. His advocacy work is his equal passion to performing, and it's his attitude to spread a positive message about disability that have recently earned the following honors and performances:

• National Ambassador of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week
• National Disability Awards Guest Artist
• International Day for People With A Disability Ambassador

Tim works full-time as a performer and also as a disability employment consultant, helping other disabled people find jobs.

His achievements and experiences speak for themselves, but it’s his voice that tells his story the best.

Tim McCallum Sings Nessun Dorma - The Voice Australia 2015