And not only that - he's also pulling the strings of his own opera company, and all before the age of 19.

But Lachlan Massey, who is bringing his quirky opera version of Pinocchio to the South Coast in December, is not your average guy.

He is just finishing his second year studying music at the Sydney Conservatorium, and had long held a dream to start an opera company.

"I grew up singing in a choir and doing classical music - all my repertoire was classical," he said.

"And I thought if I wanted to put on a show and produce it myself, opera is the most accessible thing. A show like Pinocchio is more attractive to people than just straight classical music."

His dream came true last year when he started Musgrove Opera, and wrote, produced and staged Pinocchio in Sydney.

Next month, it will come to regional stages in Berry, Ulladulla and Jamberoo.

Lachie grew up in Sydney but splits his time now between the city and his parents' place in Jamberoo, which influenced his choice of venues.

"The three places we're going to are acoustically excellent and great places to put on shows," he said.

The opera itself is a fun adaptation - a basketball competition features in the middle of it - but draws on the meaningful themes embedded in the old tale.

"It works because it is a simple story with a very 'Finding Nemo' or 'prodigal son' theme," said Lachie.

"Pinocchio is a story that kids can relate to as well. There's not a lot of Australian operatic repertoire for children, and what there is was written a long time ago."

Lachie isn't the only young achiever involved in the production. The part of Pinocchio is played by Abbey Thomas, a 15 year-old from Sydney, in her first operatic role.

She was excited to be asked, but found the switch from musical theatre harder than she expected.

"There's a lot more technique in the singing," she said. "Musical theatre is freer and you can muddle your way through it, but opera so much stricter, even to the way you sing each vowel."

She said she was also surprised at how much fun the experience has been.

"People think opera's old and boring and only grandparents go to it, but not this one - it's modern, unique and not what you expect it to be. And it's a story we all know."