How did you get into opera?
"I was originally exposed to music from a young age through my family, particularly from the influence of my older brother who also took singing lessons, to which I then tagged along. Being from a rural kiwi town, namely Te Puke, it was not always easy to get to main cities to see live performances, but I did grow up listening to a wide variety of music, including some of the golden-age musicals. My first singing teacher introduced me to opera, as well as all the gorgeous art song repertoire, and from there on, I was captivated by this genre of music."
What has been challenging, unexpected or enjoyable during your singing career?
"The biggest challenge I have faced in recent times has involved leaving my home country Aotearoa, in order to further my studies overseas, in a new cultural and societal environment. One of things I particularly enjoy regarding the operatic art form, is that when everything comes together, the musical drama combined with the collaborative element of everyone involved in a project, creates exhilarating and special experiences."
What are your goals for the future?
"My primary goal regarding the world of opera is to continue to learn and develop my abilities to the point wherein I am able to enter into roles and other projects across a wide variety of operatic styles, in a professional and consistent manner. I also hope that this will lead to wonderful collaborative experiences with other fellow artists around the world, as we share our music together with our audiences."
What do you hope to get out of LSQ?
"Having been invited to participate in New Zealand’s premier operatic contest, rather than focusing on what I can get out of the competition, I aim to put my very best effort into being a worthy competitor, who appreciates that many talented people will be involved in this event. Whether it be my fellow competitors or members of the NZSO, I feel that there is a great deal that I will be able to learn from being immersed in this experience with them."
Who inspires your practice? Do you have any creative influences or heroes?
"There are many operatic singers and musicians, both past and present, from whom I draw inspiration when I am trying to motivate myself to commit fully to whichever piece of music I am practicing. I also find it very interesting and enlightening to learn about the composers of many of the marvelous works which continue to flourish long after they have died. That the legacy of their music lives on long after they have departed their mortal frames, and continues to inspire new works by composers and musicians who are alive today, is surely something quite remarkable."
What does it mean to be a woman in opera? How has it shaped your experience?
"Irrespective of one's gender, it seems to me that hard work and dedication to the craft of opera is necessary to try and make the most of the opportunities that arise as you endeavor to become an artist of substance. A lot of the female roles require strong and confident characters, and I particularly enjoy taking on these sorts of personas when performing."
