Shanul Sharma is one of only 14 singers from around the world accepted into the advanced vocal studies course at the Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff.

At the academy Sharma will study under director and tenor Dennis O’Neill as well as guest artists such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Richard Bonynge.

Sharma, 33, said the 10-month program, which would start in October, helped emerging singers learn more about the profession.

“It basically just polishes them and trains them to … just be prepared for the industry,” he said.

“What I really want to do is become a tenor of international standard.”

Before turning to opera, Sharma sang with rock group Sobrusion in Wagga, where he lived at the time.

Now based in Melbourne, he took up classical singing in 2012 and joined Greta Bradman and Teddy Tahu Rhodes on stage at Beechworth in January.

“Rock and roll solidified the technique that's required for opera singing in a weird way,” Sharma said.

“The feedback so far has been quite positive and I'm ready to take the next step to see where the career takes me.”

To assist him with the course, Sharma has started a crowdfunding campaign, which can be found at australianculturalfund.org.au/projects/the-cardiff-fund/.