Huge congratulations to countertenor and 2026 alumnus Jack Doyle — this weekend’s Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition Scholarship Division Winner! 🏆✨ Fresh out of NZOS 2026 and already claiming major honours — what a moment. After his unforgettable GOM performance this year (a truly special, spine-tingling moment on that Opera House stage), it’s thrilling to see his artistry recognised so quickly. The work never stops… and clearly, it shows. Bravo Jack 👏 And heartfelt congratulations to all the finalists — the standard was exceptional and the future of opera in Aotearoa is looking very bright indeed. 🎶 📸 Photos Tom Hamill #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Alumni

🎶🏮Happy Chinese New Year! 🎶🏮 NZOS alumnus, Trustee and Digital Director Jack Bourke had a busy weekend — and this time, not just hosting. Usually our digital whiz and the voice guiding the evenings as MC , Jack made a rare appearance centre stage at the 2026 Happy Chinese New Year Concert in Auckland, reminding us all of his tenor roots. It’s not often we get to see him in full performance mode — and it was a pleasure. Once a tenor, always a tenor! #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #Alumni #OperaLove

Tom Varney opened the GOM with elegance and youthful ardour in “Vainement, ma bien-aimée” from Lalo’s Le roi d’Ys. As Myrtil, serenading his bride-to-be, Tom brought ringing tone and romantic sincerity to this soaring aria — a confident, heartfelt start to the drama of the evening. This was Tom's debut year at NZOS!🎭 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera✨

Arana Ashby moved audiences with “Vecchia zimarra, senti” from Puccini’s La Bohème (affectionately known as The Coat Aria) a tender farewell sung with warmth, dignity, and beautiful depth of tone. His heartfelt performance was just one of many reasons he was also awarded the Donald Trott Scholarship, supporting his return to the New Zealand Opera School in 2027. A huge honour that recognises both his artistry now and the promise of what’s still to come.Bravo, Arana — so richly deserved. 🎭 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Charlotte Secker lit up the stage with “Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno!” from Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri. As the fearless Isabella, shipwrecked but completely in control, Charlotte delivered wit, sparkle, and fearless mezzo energy — a performance full of charm, strength, and quicksilver personality. Rossini suits her beautifully… and we loved every second. 🎭✨#NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Taliai Fifita lit up the stage with “Una furtiva lagrima” from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. As Nemorino realises his love is returned, Taliai captured that tender, hopeful shift from doubt to joy with gorgeous lyric warmth and heartfelt simplicity 🥰 a moment that felt both intimate and radiant. A beautiful showcase of his growing artistry with Class of 2026. ✨🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Bayley Goldstone lit up the stage with Tamino’s wonder in “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. That moment of love-at-first-sight was full of openness and lyrical warmth — a perfect match for Bayley’s elegant sound and thoughtful storytelling. Over the two weeks, he soaked up every coaching session, refining technique, stagecraft, and confidence in performance. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Jack Doyle delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the night at GOM. In “Stille amare” from Handel’s Tolomeo, his voice was rich, focused, and utterly compelling — but it was the acting that took it to another level. As Tolomeo faced death, Jack held the audience in complete silence, every phrase charged with intensity and truth. A breathtaking performance from this year’s recipient of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Scholarship Award— artistry, courage, and presence all in one. Bravo, Jack! 🎭✨ #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Mark your calendars folks! 2027 coming fast 💃🕺 Watch this space! Thank you 🙏 @homeboy.nz for all the videos 🙌 #nzos2026 #nzos2027 #comingsoon

Blake Scanlen gripped the audience with “Look! Through the port comes the moonshine astray!” from Britten’s Billy Budd. In this haunting prison-cell monologue, Blake captured Billy’s fragile hope and quiet courage as he reflects on his fate. A beautifully controlled, deeply felt performance that showed both vocal strength and emotional depth. A powerful GOM moment from Class of 2026. 🌙🎭 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

How special to have young musicians soaking up the magic of NZ Opera School ✨ Over the past two weeks, Hector Hewis, a recent Whanganui Collegiate School graduate, joined us to observe classes — and his reflections say it all 💛 “It has been fascinating to see the changes in the way the singers’ sounds have improved… and to see them grow more confident in themselves and their abilities.” Hector spoke about learning from each tutor, picking up ideas he can apply to his own singing, and being inspired by conversations with the students. Seeing the process up close helped him believe this is something he could aim for in the future — and that’s exactly why opportunities like this matter. We’re so glad you could join us, Hector. The door to opera is always open. 🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining

This year’s Merle Higgie Opera Prize for Potential was awarded to Jasmine Jessen — a singer whose artistry, growth, and promise truly captured hearts during NZOS 2026. 🌟 Although Janis Higgie couldn’t be with us at the ceremony — welcoming her first grandchild in the UK — she shared these beautiful words about her mother Merle, in whose memory the prize is awarded: *“Every year my mother Merle Higgie would phone me (in London) and describe her highlights from the final concert, telling me which students excited her the most. It was her recognition of what they might be able to achieve that was exciting. I know she would be thrilled to know there is a prize given in her memory.”* We are deeply grateful to Janis for her generosity in sponsoring this award and for helping us celebrate not just achievement, but future possibility. Congratulations, Jasmine — a very worthy recipient of this meaningful honour. 💛 #NZOperaSchool #MerleHiggiePrize #NZOS #OperaTraining