How did you get into opera?
“The first performing experience I had as a child was in kapa haka at school, and my nana says I was always singing in the back of the car. There are family videos that can attest to me being an obnoxious little performer from a young age. In high school I joined a bunch of choirs, and was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir. Being able to travel and perform overseas with them solidified my love of singing at a high level. After that, it was really the people I was surrounded by who encouraged me to get into opera. My university teacher, Flora Edwards, was the one who suggested I should audition for the Manhattan School of Music, which I did as my Emerging Artist with New Zealand Opera was coming to an end. It was a huge conservatory, and the programme was competitive but in a positive way. I made some lifelong friendships there.”
What are your goals for the future?
“I’m cautiously excited for the world to open up again. I’ve been lucky to be in New Zealand during the pandemic, but I am itching to get out and focus on developing my career again. During this time, it’s been lovely to reconnect with local audiences, orchestras, companies and artists, and I’ve had the space to grow as a singer without all the external noise. It feels like the right time to start exploring again, to take auditions and coaching overseas.”
Who inspires your practice? Do you have any creative influences or heroes?
“I am always most inspired when I am working on a show or a concert, surrounded by other artists. I guess it’s not a ‘who’ question for me, but a ‘what.’ I love everyone coming together and bringing their unique skills to whatever we are working on. There are lots of ‘wow’ moments in rehearsal when you witness somebody do something special, and that is inspiring to me. I am more inspired by people I know hitting great moments in their careers, rather than any particular hero. Although I am sure everyone who knows me would expect my answer to be Julie Andrews…”
What do you hope to get out of LSQ?
“I very much hope to have the opportunity to debut with the NZSO after my original debut was cancelled due to COVID. It has been on the wish list for a long time. I feel strongly that my repertoire choices represent me as a singer, and being able to present them onstage with the NZSO (in some incredible gowns) would be such a highlight. I also hope that the competition leads to opportunities to further my career internationally after being in a COVID limbo. There’s a lot that I have yet to achieve.”
