🎨 This weekend in Whanganui 🎨 Something special opens at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery on Saturday! Marton sculptor Isabella Loudon takes over the heritage dome and east wing with Everything might spill. — a site-specific installation that has been shaped around the gallery's own bones: its proportions, its light, its 107-year-old atmosphere. That 14-metre dome isn't just a backdrop here. It's part of the work. The exhibition grew out of Loudon's 2025 Tylee Cottage residency, so there's something fitting about it landing here, in this region, in this building. Art that was made with a place, shown in a place that earned it. If you can, go on Sunday too — Isabella Loudon is speaking in the exhibition space from 11am, free and open to everyone. Hearing an artist talk inside their own work is one of those rare things. Everything might spill. runs until 4 October. We're proud to be partners with Te Whare o Rehua — a gallery that, like us, believes Whanganui deserves world-class art on its doorstep. 🤍 📷 Isabella Loudon at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. April 2026. Image supplied.

A special moment from our history ✨ A throwback with Donald Trott, Ian Campbell, and Marion Wyness — wife of the late Bryan Wyness, in whose memory the Spirit of the School trophy is dedicated. Bryan was Chairman of the New Zealand Opera School Trust and, together with Marion, was part of the very fabric of the school from the beginning. Travelling each year from Auckland, they lived on-site, immersed themselves fully in the experience, and offered unwavering support through those formative early years. Their legacy continues to shape the spirit of the school to this day. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #NZOpera #Aotearoa

Big season ahead for our alumnus Aidan Thomas Phillips ✨ From his U.K. festival debut in Tristan und Isolde with Longborough Festival Opera, to his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut singing Turridu (and covering Canio) with Aria Alba, and diving into Janáček’s The Makropulos Case with Edinburgh Players Opera Group — this is a season full of growth, grit, and exciting milestones. Three major works. Three brilliant companies. We can’t wait to see it all unfold 🔥 #nzosalumni #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Alumni #Kiwi

🌍 Alumnus on the move — Ben Kubiak @ben_kubiak_music 🎶 From London to the US and back again — what a year it’s been. After leading Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile as Musical Director across the UK and US (100+ performances!), Ben Kubiak now steps into his next exciting chapter as Musical Director for Fly By Night at Southwark Playhouse. Big stages, bold moves, and a career gathering real momentum — exactly the kind of journey we love to see. We’re proud to follow your path, Ben. Keep flying. ✨ #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #NZOSAlumni #OnTheRise #MusicalDirector

In a month that quietly marked his birthday, we take a moment to acknowledge Donald Trott CNZM. For decades, Donald has shaped NZ Opera School with extraordinary care, integrity and vision — guiding generations of singers with a steady hand and an unwavering belief in their potential. Those who have worked with him know it’s never about recognition. It’s about the work, the music, and the people. We are deeply grateful for all that he continues to give. Ngā mihi nui, Donald. #NZOperaSchool #NZOSWhānau #Gratitude

Bravo, Cecilia! Wonderful to see NZ Opera School alumna Cecilia Yufan Zhang performing at the Royal College of Music in La finta giardiniera. Taking on the role of Il Cavaliere Ramiro, Cecilia brings her artistry to this vibrant Mozart production as part of her work in London. It’s a pleasure to follow the journey as it unfolds. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Alumni #RCM

🎭 “No one cares about this [ballet and opera] anymore.” Timothée Chalamet Here at NZ Opera School, we know something different. Every year we see audiences moved, surprised, and deeply connected to this art form — and we watch young singers devote years of training to mastering it. Opera asks a lot of its artists: voice, language, musicianship, acting, stamina. It’s one of the most complex performing arts there is. All live, no second takes. But the real question isn’t whether people care. If you love opera — why? Is it the power of the human voice? The storytelling? The orchestra? The feeling of live performance that nothing else quite matches? We’d love to hear what keeps you coming back in the comments below. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Opera #OperaTraining

✨ Opera x Champagne at Hilton Auckland ✨ Join us this Friday at Bellini Bar, Hilton Auckland for another beautiful evening of sunset, bubbles and live opera. This week’s artists: 🎶 Jack Doyle & Anh Thu 🎹 with David Kelly at the piano Two wonderful voices, harbour views, and opera up close — the perfect way to begin your weekend. 📍 Bellini Bar, Hilton Auckland 🕡 Friday from 6:30pm #OperaXChampagne #NZOperaSchool #LiveOpera #AucklandEvents #FutureVoic

✈️ A special thank you to Air Chathams We’re delighted to be featured in the latest Air Chats magazine, in the “What’s On” section — thank you to Air Chathams for including NZ Opera School. As many of you know, Whanganui is home to NZOS each January — and Air Chathams is the airline we use whenever we can, and we’re grateful for their continued support in helping connect artists, tutors and audiences to our summer home. Strong regional partnerships matter — and we’re proud to fly with an airline that champions the arts and the communities it serves. Ngā mihi nui, Air Chathams! #NZOperaSchool #AirChathams #Whanganui #RegionalSupport #ArtsInAotearoa

At this year’s pōwhiri, we had the privilege of presenting Toki to our international tutors and also to our music faculty who have given more than a decade of service to NZ Opera School. A small but meaningful taonga, offered in gratitude for their years of dedication, artistry and mentorship. The recipients were: 🔸Glenn Winslade 🔸Nikki Li Hartliep 🔸Mary Plazas 🔸Ian Campbell 🔸Michael Vinten 🔸Bruce Greenfield 🔸Francis Cowan 🔸David Kelly 🔸Sharolyn Kimmorley AM 🔸Dr Luca Manghi 🔸Terence Dennis MNZM Over the years, these artists have returned to our school again and again — sharing wisdom, experience and generosity of spirit with our young singers. At the pōwhiri, surrounded by whānau, it felt especially fitting to acknowledge their service in this way. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. We are deeply grateful. #NZOperaSchool #Manaakitanga #Whakawhetai #NZOSWhānau #TeAoMāori

A world-class moment is coming to Tāmaki Makaurau. ✨ As part of Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki | Auckland Arts Festival, Grammy Award-winning soprano Julia Bullock makes her only Aotearoa appearance, performing with the Auckland Philharmonia. Hailed as “one of the singular artists of her generation” (The New York Times), Bullock is known for her magnetic stage presence, technical brilliance and emotional depth. Led by visionary conductor Christian Reif, this one-off concert promises an evening of extraordinary music-making at the highest level. A rare treat. Tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/artist/2950364 #AucklandArtsFestival #JuliaBullock #AucklandPhilharmonia #NZOS #NZOperaSchool

Have you got your tickets? 🇫🇷 NZOS alumnus Jamie Henare (2014) will be performing as Jean Valjean in Amdram Whanganui’s production of Les Miserable at the Royal Whanganui Opera House from 20-28 March! With a cast of more than 60 performers, West-End worthy sets and costumes and a 21-piece orchestra, this stunning production brings to life unforgettable songs like “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” Don’t miss this epic story of courage, love and redemption. Book your tickets at the Royal Whanganui Opera House Box Office online https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/155721 or call 06 349 0511. You may also spot our GM performing in the chorus! 🎵