David Hidden believes his decision to leave a law degree to concentrate on singing opera will mean he will be able to avoid - or at least delay - any middle-age crisis.
The decision, particularly for the son of a judge, was a big one.
But Mr Hidden, 28, of Berrima, has no regrets.
The change began when, while singing with his father, he was overheard by an opera aficionado who thought he had potential.
Yesterday, Mr Hidden sang a piece from Beethoven's Fidelio in the Operatic Aria Solo Open section of the City of Wollongong Eisteddfod.
It was his third eisteddfod performance and a valuable learning experience for someone hoping to study at the Conservatorium of Music next year.
He performed as jailer Rocco in the song, which examines the relative importance of love and money.
Such a dramatic storyline, says Mr Hidden, is an example of the type of powerful impact good opera offers.
"I now also appreciate the physical and emotional ability of what opera performers do on stage," he said.
"I don't go home and listen to opera - it's the shows that are great."
And the decision to study opera in lieu of law?
"My family has been supportive of it; I think even my dad might be jealous. Now that I've done this it might mean I'll avoid a middle-age crisis, at least until I'm 80, anyway."