There’s a moment in The Marriage of Figaro where the Countess, alone on stage, asks whether she has lost her husband’s love forever. It’s one of Mozart’s most achingly beautiful arias — and it asks for a soprano who can hold an entire room in stillness. This June, that soprano is our alumna Felicity Tomkins, making her NZ Opera mainstage debut in Wellington. For someone who grew up in Te Puke, who built her voice patiently through years of study, competitions, and stages across the world — coming home to sing the Countess feels like exactly the right moment. And then, come September, she heads to London as a Young Artist at the National Opera Studio. Not as a next step. As a natural one. We’re not sure “proud” quite covers it. 🤍 The Marriage of Figaro · 17, 19 & 21 June · St James Theatre, Wellington Tickets at nzopera.com #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #Alumni #OperaTraining

🎤 Alumnus spotlight! We are bursting with pride watching Ridge Ponini light up stages — and the biggest chapter of his career is just beginning. 🎼 18 April · Wellington Mozart’s Requiem + Christopher Tin’s To Shiver the Sky Tenor soloist with the Wellington Orchestra & Orpheus Choir Wellington · Michael Fowler Centre 🕯️ ANZAC Day · 25 April · Waipu Inaugural fundraising concert at Waipu Caves Music in the magical setting of the Milky Way Glowworm Caves 🌟 September 2026 · London National Opera Studio — Young Artist 2026/27 Ridge joins one of the world’s most prestigious opera training programs, undertaking nine months of intensive coaching in music, voice, languages, stagecraft, and performance with leading UK partner companies. Ridge is a shining example of where hard work, artistry, and a little NZ Opera School magic can take you. 🇳🇿✨ #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #Alumni #OperaTraining

Our alumna @oliviaforbessoprano is heading into a beautiful Spring & Summer 2026 season while studying overseas — and it’s one filled with exciting milestones. From performing as soprano soloist in Haydn’s Theresienmesse and Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, to stepping into Musetta in La Bohème, and Annina in La Traviata — Olivia is building an incredibly rich and varied repertoire. She’ll also appear in contemporary opera with The Boy Who Went to Find Fear, alongside recital performances and summer showcases at the Royal College of Music. It’s a season of versatility, growth, and artistry — and we couldn’t be prouder to see her journey unfolding on international stages. We love following our alumni as they take their voices out into the world — and Olivia is one to watch ✨ #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #NZOSAlumni

🎨 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