Tim McCallum

Location: Brisbane, QLD

Challenge: Quadriplegic

Website: www.timmccallum.com.au

After twenty-five 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 just 18 years of age, Tim was on his way to commencing a successful music career when a diving accident left him quadriplegic.

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"

In 2015, Tim captivated audiences across Australia with his appearances on national tv on The Voice, where he delivered the difficult operatic piece made famous by Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

The celebrity judges - Ricky Martin, Benji and Joel Madden and Delta Goodrem - were left astounded when they turned their chairs to find Tim sitting in a wheelchair.

His performance turned three red chairs, which exceeded his expectations. The singer was on the brink of joining Team Delta but Martin mentioned Pavarotti so he took the slot offered on Team Ricky.

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".

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