New Zealand Opera School

17/06/2026

21 singers. Two weeks in Whanganui. 🎶

Applications are open for the 2027 New Zealand Opera School and this one is going to be something special!

If you’re ready, we’d love to hear from you.
Applications close 5pm, Friday 31 July 2026
School dates: 3–17 January 2027
🔗 operaschool.org.nz/applications/application-form

15/06/2026

It started as an experiment. Could you put a young opera singer in a hotel bar on a Friday night and make people stop, listen, fall a little bit in love? Turns out — yes.

Every single time. For five years, the Bellini Bar at Hilton Auckland has been our Auckland home. Hundreds of guests. Dozens of singers. One very special partnership. Our final Champagne & Opera evening is Friday 19 June, 6.30pm.

We'd love to see you there one last time. 🥂
🔗 bellini.co.nz/champagne-opera

14/06/2026

So excited to see alumna Charlotte Secker joining RNZ Concert as a presenter! Can't wait to hear her!

Nau mai, haere mai. We're excited to welcome Charlotte Secker to the RNZ Concert whānau as a casual presenter, so listen out for her on the weekends.

Charlotte is a mezzo-soprano and she's currently completing a Bachelor of Music with Honours in classical voice performance at New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī, Victoria University of Wellington. She loves vocal music - you name it, she's tried it, from choral music to musical theatre, barbershop and opera.

This year she joins the New Zealand Opera Chorus for their production of 'Le Nozze di Figaro' and is looking forward to performing the role of Rosette in Wellington Opera’s 'Manon' in August. Charlotte is also a choral scholar with Orpheus Choir Wellington and recently performed the alto solo for in their Mozart 'Requiem' concert in Wellington.

Charlotte has also performed in Days Bay Opera's production of 'The Pearl Fishers', NZSM's production of Ravel’s 'L’enfants et les sortiléges' and this year's New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui.

She also enjoys emceeing events and has hosted sessions at the New Zealand Choral Federation Big Sing Finale in Wellington and more recently a 'Cafe' evening concert at the New Zealand Opera School.

Join us in welcoming Charlotte to the team!

11/06/2026

Some careers you watch unfold and just feel proud. Madison Nonoa is one of those. 🤍

Recently — a debut with Pinchgut Opera and the Dame Heather Begg Memorial Scholarship from the Melba Opera Trust in Melbourne. But what stopped us in our tracks was this: performing alongside Sharolyn - who has known her, coached her and believed in her since she was 17 years old. Sharolyn is also one of our NZOS tutors.

That thread from a young singer finding her voice, to a world-class artist that's what mentorship looks like and it is SO important! So proud of you, Madison! Keep on shining!🌸

11/06/2026

The Guardian just ran a full feature on our alumnus Pene Pati and it is a read. 🤍 La Scala. The Metropolitan Opera. Booked by the world's top houses through 2030.

Not bad for someone who was once told that opera wasn't for Polynesian boys. X

We are so proud to call him one of our alumni! 🌺 Bravo, Pene! To the stars!

Born on a tiny, impoverished South Pacific island, Pene Pati remembers going to school without food. Now he is performing in operas at La Scala and the Met

09/06/2026

Who is joining us this Saturday at the Royal Whanganui Opera House?

09/06/2026

Five years of Friday evenings. Five years of champagne, harbourside sunsets and voices that stopped people mid-sip.

🥂 On June 19 we close our final Champagne & Opera at the Hilton Auckland - and what a run it has been! Some of Aotearoa’s most exciting young operatic voices have graced that stage, and the Bellini Bar has never quite been the same.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, brought friends, and fell a little more in love with opera over a glass of champagne. One last night. Come and celebrate with us.

🤍 Friday 19 June · 6.30pm · Bellini Bar · Hilton Auckland

08/06/2026

Great to see Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst performing at the Opera House this weekend.

Jennifer’s also been a tutor at NZ Opera School — and I’ve always liked her reflection on the work:
“It’s actually all around us — te reo is all around us.” [rnz.co.nz]

Toi toi toi from Tāmaki Makaurau & NZOS Trustee & Digital Director Jack Bourke

06/06/2026

You've met our alumni. You know what they're up to. 😏 Would be great if you would be NEXT!

Applications for New Zealand Opera School 2027 are open.
🔗 operaschool.org.nz/applications/application-form

05/06/2026

Boys Night Out is back. 🎉

In August 2020, a bunch of talented lads took over the Auckland Opera Studio stage. Ready to take on the world. Turns out — they did.

Now it's 2026, and a new generation steps up. Join Alfred, Nu and Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, Ridge Ponini, Sam Mataele, Sam McKeever and Tomarangi Henare with Somi Kim on keys for an evening that might just be the beginning of something very special.
Toi toi toi boys — we'll be in your corner. 🤍

Sunday 21 June · Auckland Opera Studio
3 Glenside Crescent
Tickets at 🔗 aucklandoperastudio.co.nz