ALUMNI
Alexander Sinclair
BASS 2013-2019
Alex is from Palmerston North and lives in Wellington. He was in the 2013 NZ Youth Choir and has rejoined the Choir again for the 2017-19 cycle.Alex is currently studying towards a BA (International Relations and Economics) and a LLB at Victoria University. Sponsored byThe Sinclair Family
Madeleine Pierard
SOPRANO 2000-2003
Lyric Soprano, Madeleine Pierard began her musical life as a pianist and chorister in Napier, New Zealand and later as a member of The New Zealand Youth Choir, The Tudor Consort and Voices New Zealand.http://www.madeleinepierard.com/
Jemma Chester
SOPRANO 2024
Jemma is a soprano who calls both Wellington and Dunedin home. She is in her fourth year at Otago University studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in German. She also studies Classical Voice with Judy Bellingham. Jemma has performed with the Days Bay Opera, Musical Theatre Dunedin, Octagon Ensemble and Opera […]
Natasha Wilson
SOPRANO 2014-2016
Clara Rowe
ALTO 2014-2019
Clara is from the North Shore in Auckland. After attending Westlake Girls she went to AUT to complete a Bachelor of Business. She is currently studying for a masters degree at Monash University in Melbourne.She enjoys choral singing and joined NZYC in 2014 for two years and performed the Verdi Requiem with Bach Musica. Clara also plays cello and trumpet and has now re-joined NZYC for the 2017-1019 choir.
Tania Verdonk
SOPRANO 2001-2003
Tania was introduced to choral singing at Westlake Girls High School, singing with Key Cygnetures. She went on to join the NZ Youth Choir, further developing her passion for music. Tania studied a Bachelor of Music at Auckland University, followed by a teaching diploma. She spent time developing local adult and children’s choirs in the Warkworth and Kaipara […]
Teddy Tahu Rhodes
BASS 1984-1988
New Zealand baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and studied with David Harper. He has performed with the opera houses of San Francisco, Philadelphia, Austin, Washington, Houston, Dallas, Cincinnati, Santa Fe, Munich, Hamburg and Leipzig, and for Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Chatelet Theatre Paris and Theater an der Wien.
William King
BASS 2014-2019
Will King is from Auckland and currently lives in Wellington. Will was in the 2014-16 NZ Youth Choir and has returned for the 2017-19 cycle. Will attended Auckland Grammar School and is currently at Victoria University of Wellington studying Classical Performance in Voice.
Grace Sturgess
SOPRANO 2014-2019
Grace is a music and science student at Auckland University.After finishing Saint Kentigern College in South Auckland, Grace move to Auckland University to pursue her passion for singing with a Bachelor of Music in Voice performance.Grace joined NZYC in 2014 and will start her second turn with the choir in 2017.
David Williams
BASS 2014-2019
David is from Wellington.David was a member if the 2014-16 NZ Youth Choir and has retunred again for the 2017-19 cycle.David is a member of the Wellington Youth Choir and is currently completing a BMus at Victoria University. David plays classical and bass guitar.
Oliver Fetherston
BASS -2018
Oliver is from Auckland and is currently studying in Wellington.Oliver was a member of the 2016 NZ Youth Choir and has returned for the 2017-19 cycle.He attended Westlake Boys’ High School and is currently studying a BMus Performance in Classical Guitar at Victoria University.As well as playing the guitar, Oliver also plays violin and piano.
Martin Snell
BASS 1979-1988
I value enormously the experiences of my National Youth Choir association, the friendships established over a long period which still hold today, although many are now spread beyond New Zealand
Garth Norman
BASS 2015-2019
Garth is from Wellington.He was a member of the 2016 NZ Youth Choir and has returned for the 2017-19 cycle.Garth attended Wellington College and is currently studying a BMus in Voice and BA in Media Studies at Victoria University.
Chelsea Whitfield
SOPRANO 2013-2019
Chelsea graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Music majoring in organ performances.She attended Wellington East Girls’ College and started learning the organ, piano and violin. Chelsea performs regularly with the Cathedral Choir (Wellington Cathedral of St Paul), The Tudor Conort and the vocal ensemble Anon. Chelsea joined NZYC in 2013 and is now embarking on her second turn.
Amy Chang
ALTO 2015-2019
Amy is an itinerant music teacher and accompanist, and is also studying towards a Master of Music at the University of Auckland, specialising in Collaborative Piano. She is originally from Taiwan where she began piano at the age of four, immigrated to New Zealand in 2002 and became an official ‘Kiwi’ in 2006.
Vishan Appanna
TENOR 2014-2019
Vishan is secondary mathematics teacher based in Wellington. He is in a local choir, and musical theatre society; Supertonic and Wellington Footlights. He also plays football socially.
Patricia Goldsmith
SOPRANO 1980-1980
Thomas Song
TENOR 2017-2019
Thomas hails from distant lands of South Korea, having made the move back in 2002, and in 2015 he graduated from Westlake Boys. During his time in high school, Thomas was part of the choirs ‘Voicemale’ and ‘Choralation’, as well as being part of the school’s Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. In 2014, they toured to Germany, Austria and Hungary, and participated in the annual ‘Summa Cum Laude’ festival held in Vienna.
Carla Camilleri
SOPRANO 2017 - 2018
Carla is a voice student at Auckland University in Classical Performance. She understudied ‘The Mistress’ for the 2016 Auckland season of ‘Evita’, plays the piano and speaks Maltese. Carla joined NZYC in 2017.
Nathan Hauraki
TENOR 2017-2019
Nathan is from Auckland.He attended Dilworth School and is currently studying a BA and BMus at the University of Auckland.Nathan was a member of NZ Secondary Students’ Choir and currently sings in Auckland Chamber Choir.
Te Ohorere Williams
SOPRANO 2017-2019
Auckland University music student Te Ohorere Williams has joined NZYC after singing with the NZ Secondary Students Choir for the last two years in the role of Cultural Leader.Playing the piano and studying voice with Fiona Wilson at Westlake Girls High School on Auckland’s North Shore, Te Ohorere also performed with the Chorolation Choir under Rowan Johnston.Te Ohorere joined NZYC in 2017.
Ella Ewen
SOPRANO 2014-2019
Ella is a student at Auckland University studying for a Bachelor in Music and Commerce.
She is a current member of the New Zealand Youth Choir and Auckland Chamber Choir. Ella is working with her singing teacher Dr. Morag Atchison and enjoys singing under Dr Karen Grylls at ACC. Ella joined Voices NZ in early 2018.
Matariki Pakaua
BASS 2017 - 2018
Matariki is from Dunedin.Matariki was in NZ Secondary Students’ ChoirHe attended Otago Boys’ High School and is currently studying a Bachelor of Perfoming Arts at Otago University.Matariki plays the guitar.
Leo Jaffrey
BASS 2017-2019
Leo is from Auckland.Leo is currently a member of Auckland Chamber Choir.He attended Rangitoto College and is currently studying a BMus (Composition and Voice) at Otago University.
Sophie Lamb
ALTO 2017-2019
After graduating from Epsom Girls Grammar, Sophie began her studies at Auckland University for a BMus in Classical Voice.She is a member of the Auckland University Chamber Choir and plays the piano.Sophie joined NZYC in 2017.
Alice Merrall
ALTO 2017-2019
Alice attended St Mary’s College and is now a student at Auckland University studying for a BMus in Voice Performance and a Bachelor of Science.Alice performed in ‘The Divas’ at the Opera Factory and at th south Auckland Performing Arts Competitions in 2015. She is a member of the Auckland Chamber Choir and Accord.Alice also plays piano and violin.
Michael Densem
TENOR 1986-1991
Kirsty Young
SOPRANO 2017 - 2018
Kirsty is a music student at the Univeristy of Waikato in Hamilton.She attended St Peter’s School in Cambridge where she started to learn the flute and singing. Kirsty was a member of the NZ Secondary Students’ Choir 2013-2014. She spent a gap year in Zimbabwe and is now back in the Waikato to study music.Kirsty joind NZYC in 2017.
Pene Pati
TENOR 2006-2007
Pene with his brother Amitai Pati from Mangere, and their North Shore baritone cousin Moses Mackay, are SOL3 MIO, a combination of three powerful and moving operatic voices, with more than a dash of uncontainable Samoan humour.
Kimberley Wood
ALTO 2017-2019
Cantaburian Kimberley Wood loves music and especially singing. Studying piano and saxophone during her time at St Margaret’s College (and a bit of Spanish), she joined the Christchurch Youth Choir and later the NZ Secondary Students’ Choir for 2013-14.
Rhiannon Cooper
SOPRANO 2017-2019
After attending Kamo High School near Whangarei, Rhiannon moved to Dunedin to study for a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice at the University of Otago.She performed with OperaNorth for 9 years as a soprano and is now joining the New Zealand Youth Choir in 2017. Sponsored byIneke and David Kershaw
Nathaniel Otley
BASS 2017 - 2018
Nathaniel is from Dunedin.He was a member of NZ Secondary Students’ Choir.Nathaniel is studying a BMus at Otago University. He also plays the violin.
Erica Paterson
SOPRANO 2017-2019
Dunedin soprano Erica Paterson attended Bayfield High School before embarking on her BA in music and an Bachelor of Law.Receiveing vocal coaching from Judy Bellingham, Erica performed in her high school choir and took Grade 6 Trinity Music Performance exams with distinction.She also enjoys playing piano and a little bit of guitar.Erica joined NZYC in 2017.
Riley Cahill
BASS 2017-2019
Riley is from Auckland.Riley attended Westlake Boys’ High School and is currently a BCom/BMus at the University of Auckland.Riley also works for Crimson Education and plays U-19s football for Takapuna.
Georgia Finch
ALTO 2017-2019
Georgia is from Christchurch.She is currently a student nurse at the Ara Institue of Canterbury.Georgia was a member of the NZ Secondary Student Choir 2013/14, the Christchurch Youth Choir for 4 years and the Kolbe Singers.Georgia plays saxophone and viola.
Mark Pole
BASS 2017-2019
Mark is from Auckland.Mark attended Aorere College.He was a member of NZSSC from 2011-12 and The Graduate Choir from 2009-12.
Oliver Sewell
TENOR 2008-2009
Benett Tan
TENOR 2017-2019
Benett is from Auckland.He attended Westlake Boys’ High School and is currently studying at the University of Auckland.Benett plays the clarinet and violin.
Emma Fussell
SOPRANO 2017-2019
Emma joined NZYC in 2017. She is in her final semester of a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance Voice) and Bachelor of Arts (European Studies) conjoint degree at the University of Auckland. During her music degree, she studied with Dr. Morag Atchison and Dr. Te Oti Rakena. She has been an active member of Auckland Chamber Choir for the past two years.
Isobel Topham
SOPRANO 2018-2019
Isobel Topham is a student at Otago University in Dunedin, currently undertaking postgraduate training in public health with a view to completing her PhD on the interface of neoliberalism, the food environment, and chronic disease. Her background is in veterinary medicine. Isobel’s musical background spans classical piano, barbershop, musical theatre and community choirs throughout the country.
Moses MacKay
BASS 2008-2010
North Shore baritone Moses Mackay together with Amitai and Pene Pati from Mangere are SOL3 MIO, a combination of three powerful and moving operatic voices, with more than a dash of uncontainable Samoan humour.
Amitai Pati
TENOR 2008-2010
Amitai with his brother Pene Pati from Mangere, and their North Shore baritone cousin Moses Mackay, are SOL3 MIO, a combination of three powerful and moving operatic voices, with more than a dash of uncontainable Samoan humour.
Tecwyn Evans
BASS 1989-1995
Caroline Maiava
SOPRANO 1995-1995
Caroline graduated from Victoria University in Wellington with a music and an arts degree before postgraduate studies abroad. During her time at the NZ Youth Choir she gained a deeper appreciation and passion for choral music. Currently, Caroline continues to enjoy teaching music abroad at international schools.
Jennie Verdonk
SOPRANO 2008-2010
Simon O’Neill
TENOR 1991-1992 (1st Bass)
Simon O’Neill has established himself as one of the finest helden-tenors on the international stage. He has frequently performed with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Berlin, Hamburg and Bayerische Staatsopern, Teatro alla Scala and the Bayreuth, Salzburg, Edinburgh and BBC Proms Festivals…
Anthony Ritchie
1979-1982
Anthony Ritchie studied composition at Canterbury University, and the Liszt Academy in Hungary. He moved to Dunedin in 1988 to be Mozart Fellow in composition, at Otago University, and later was Composer-in-Residence with the Dunedin Sinfonia completing his Symphony No 1 “Boum”. In 2000 his Symphony No2 was premiered by the Auckland Philarmonia at the International Festival of the Arts.In 2004 his opera, The God Boy, was a crtically acclaimed success at the Otago Arts Festival.In the last five years Anthony has had six CDs of his compositions released, including Remember Parihaka, featuring smaller orchestral works, NZ Poets in Song featuring songs, as well as chamber and piano music.Anthony is well known for the widely performed Flute Concerto, written for Alexa Still and recorded twice on CD.Anthony has composed over 150 compositions many of which have been performed internationally. He is now a senior lecturer in composition at the University of Otago in Dunedin.For further information www.anthonyritchie.co.nz
James Harrison
BASS 1993-1996
Logan Hunt
TENOR 2020-2021
I’m a 20 year old student from Wellington who’s in my last year studying musicology and composition, as well as a lot of maths on the side (which are much more compatible than you might think.) I’m an active chorister in the Wellington region, singing in several choirs and arranging songs for many more. I […]
Beth Kriechbaum
ALTO 2011-2019
Originally from Palmerston North, Beth went to Victoria University Wellington for her Bachelor in Music and Graduate Diploma in Teaching. She received her honours at Auckland University in Studio Pedagogy – Piano before taking up her teaching role at St Mary’s College in Wellington.This is Beth’s third turn in NZYC, which she joined in 2011. She also sings with the Wellington Youth Choir and loves playing her piano.
Chelsea Numanga
ALTO 2011 - 2018
After attending St Cuthbert’s College, Chelsea started her studies for a Bachelor in Music and Commerce. Now in her third year, Chelsea also takes vocal tuition from Patricia Wright and plays piano. Chelsea is now embarking on her third turn with NZYC, joining the choir in 2011.
Jonathan Fa’afetai Lemalu
BASS 1995-1999
The choir for me has been very beneficial, not only for my musical and theoretical skills, but also my ability to listen, which for a solo singer is fairly important….You need a lot of skills linguistically, physically-even things like looking after the voice….which the National Youth Choir over the five years I was in it did very well
Chris Bowen
1994-1999
Christopher Bowen was born in New Zealand and studied singing and medicine at Otago University. He was a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir from 1994 to 1999.In 2003 he moved to London and, while learning from Ian Partridge, started his professional career. Since then his versatile, high tenor voice has lent itself to recital, opera, oratorio and ensemble singing. Christopher has performed a broad array of music from medieval to modern. He is a member of the BBC Singers, with whom he performs and records across the UK and abroad, and is in demand as a tenor soloist with choral societies throughout the UK, Europe and further afield.
Benjamin Tan
TENOR 2011 - 2018
Benjamin was born in Rotorua and raised on the North Shore of Auckland.
An old boy of Westlake Boys’ High School, he has sung with several choirs, including Voicemale and Choralation, and the New Zealand Secondary Student’s choir in 2009-2010.
Ruth Armishaw
SOPRANO 2000-2001
Rebecca Howan
ALTO 2015-2019
Born and raised in Wellington, Rebecca’s musical education began when she learned to play the cornet as a child in The Salvation Army brass band. She currently sings with the Tudor Consort after finishing five years with the Orpheus Choir of Wellington. Rebecca joined the New Zealand Youth Choir in 2015, and has returned for the 2017-2019 cycle.
Eleanor McGechie
ALTO 2013-2019
Eleanor grew up in Timaru and attended Craighead Diocesan School. She is in her third year of a Bachelor of Music at Victoria University of Wellington with a major in Classical Voice Performance, studying under Dr Margaret Medlyn. Eleanor played piano and clarinet during school, and in her later years of high school she began voice lessons. She was a member of the Craighead Chorale from 2010-2014 and then the 2013-2014 cycle of New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir.
Anna Leese
SOPRANO 2000-2001
Anna graduated from the University of Otago in November 2003, with a first class honours degree in music. In 2006 she graduated from the Benjamin Britten International Opera School at the Royal College of Music, London, and won the Queen Elizabeth Rosebowl, which was presented by HRH Prince Charles in 2007
Rosamund McDonald
ALTO 1997-2001
Rosamund is from Christchurch and studied Performance Voice and Bassoon at Victoria University. After her four years in the choir, she represented NZ in the World Youth Choir before joining the Scots Guards Band based at Buckingham Palace as a Bassoonist. Currently she works for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, sings in the NZ Opera chorus, […]
Sarah Castle
1987-1988
http://www.robert-gilder.com/artistdetail.aspx?artist_id=2230&category_id=1010&location_id=3002
Nicholas Sutcliffe
BASS 2008-2010
Nicholas was a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir between 2008-2010
Jack Timings
TENOR 2014-2019
Jack currently also sings with the New Zealand Youth Choir, Auckland Chamber Choir, Stellar Singers and the St Patrick’s Vocal Ensemble.
Alexandra Woodhouse Appleby
ALTO 2020-2021
Kia ora! I’m an alto/mezzo soprano from Wellington. I moved to Auckland in 2020 for my Honours study in Classical Performance Voice at the University of Auckland. Singing in choirs is a huge part of my life. I was in NZSSC for two cycles and recently became a member of Voices NZ. I love singing […]
Marek Mendrun
BASS 2019
Marek is from Wellington where he attended St Patrick’s College in Kilbirnie. He was called up to the New Zealand Youth Choir at the start of 2019. Currently working full-time as a health administrator; Marek is studying part-time towards a Bachelor of Science degree.
Anna Hamilton
ALTO
Originally hailing from Thames on the Coromandel Peninsular, Anna got her first introduction to classical singing at the age 13 from her singing teacher Jayne Tankersley. Anna continued under Tankersley’s instruction until 2019, when she began studying a law degree and a degree in Classical Voice at the University of Auckland under the tutelage of […]
Arlo Doak
TENOR
I’m from Wellington and I attended Wellington College. I am currently studying Law and Politics at the University of Auckland. I was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir and I play the guitar and piano.
Arthur Adams-Close
BASS 2020
Ben Prendergast
BASS
Kia Ora! I am Ben, and I was born in Wellington, but am currently studying Medicine in Dunedin at the University of Otago. I love singing, and have performed with my school choir, Con Anima, as well as NZSSC 2019-2020 and many others. I love learning new music (sometimes as procrastination for my studies), and look […]
Bayley Goldstone
TENOR 2020-2021
Bayley is from Wellington and is currently studying French, Italian and Classical Performance in Voice at Victoria University of Wellington. He attended Tawa College, being a member of the school choirs, in school productions and instrumental groups. Previously, Bayley was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir from 2019 to 2020 and is […]
Benedict Tan
BASS
Benedict is from Auckland. He is a Speech and Language therapy student at the University of Auckland, hoping to graduate at the end of 2020.
Blake Nicholson
BASS
Blake is from Auckland’s North Shore. Before joining the New Zealand Youth Choir, he went to Westlake Boys’ High School, where he sang in “Voicemale” and “Choralation” choirs, which kick-started his love for choral music.
Bria Renai
SOPRANO 2023
Born in Wellington, Bria was first introduced to classical singing at the age of 9 under previous director of music, Michael Fulcher, then the former director Michael Stewart at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Under the instruction of Lesley Graham until 2018, Bria was heavily involved in her school choirs, Wellington Youth Sinfonietta and a member of […]
Carson Taare
BASS 2023
I am a Palmerston North boy born and bred and music is my life. I play guitar and I sing (obviously). My favourite genre of music is Country/Folk and when I’m not playing, I’m writing music. I’m also doing building and construction with a local business for a job and I love it (but not […]
Cecilia Zhang
ALTO
Originally from Guangzhou, China, Cecilia’s passion for choral singing began at a young age. She was part of a children’s choir where she competed and won a gold award at the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria. After moving to the beautiful Auckland city in 2015, she went to Macleans College where she participated […]
Denzel Panama
TENOR 2017 - 2020
Denzel Panama is a singer, composer and conductor, born and raised in Auckland, NZ. He is currently the Director of Senior School Choirs at St Cuthbert’s College, AKL and is also vocal coach to the choirs at King’s College, AKL. He has sung with The Graduate Choir, The New Zealand Secondary Students Choir and is […]
Desmond Yong
BASS 2020-2021
Desmond is from Auckland. He is currently in his second year of studying an LLB/BMus conjoint majoring in Classical Performance at the University of Auckland under Dr Te Oti Rakena. Prior to NZYC, he was a member of NZSSC 2017 – 2018 and several other choirs and musical ensembles during his time at St Kentigern […]
Eden Vaatstra
SOPRANO
Kia ora, my name is Eden and I am studying a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies at the University of Auckland. I am from Wellington where I went to St Mary’s College and was part of the Wellington Youth Choir and many other choirs, music groups and productions. […]
Emily Young
SOPRANO
Emily is from Auckland, New Zealand and is currently studying Classical Voice and Italian at the University of Auckland. She attended Saint Kentigern College where she spent a lot of her time in musical productions, choirs, and playing cello in orchestras.
Emma McLean
ALTO
Emma is a student at the University of Otago studying Law and a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Voice Performance. Originally from Christchurch, she was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir in 2015-2016, and is currently a member of the Octagon Ensemble in Dunedin.
Hamish Regan
TENOR 2020-2021
Growing up in Auckland, Hamish has been a passionate singer for most of his life. In 2019, after being heavily involved in music at Macleans College, Hamish began studying towards a BCom/BMus degree at the University of Auckland, specialising in classical voice. Studying under Dr Te Oti Rakena, here he enjoys singing in the University […]
Hannah Ashford-Beck
ALTO 2020-2021
I come from the land of L&P but I have been living in Auckland while I study Classical Voice, Italian and German at the University of Auckland. You can often find me bingeing Netflix TV shows, baking, or biking in my spare time.
Imogen Harwood
SOPRANO
Imogen is a soprano currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland. Imogen lived across Europe as a child and as a result has a deep appreciation for many musical cultures. She performed in many productions throughout her schooling, including Phantom of the Opera where she played […]
Jennifer Huckle
ALTO
Jennifer Huckle is currently studying towards a BMus in Classical Voice at Victoria University of Wellington. She previously attended Westlake Girls High School in Auckland, where she was part of the ‘Cantare’ and ‘Choralation’ choirs. As well as being involved in choral singing throughout her life, Jennifer is also interested in performing as an opera […]
Karishma Thanawala
SOPRANO
Porirua-based soprano Karishma Thanawala is a student at Victoria University in Wellington studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce and Music, majoring in Classical Voice and Accounting. Her passion for singing is evident in Karishma’s membership in the Orpheus Choir of Wellington, the Young Woman’s Barbershop Chorus and performances at the Indian Association of Wellington at […]
Keani Taruia-Pora
SOPRANO
Growing up in the suburbs of South Auckland, Keani began singing at a very young age, taking part in many cultural singing customs and admiring the voices of role models in her family and community. Keani’s cultural background has played an important part in her musical upbringing. Being of Cook Island descent, her cultural views […]
Lemau Lolesio
ALTO
I am from Windy Wellington and attended Wellington East Girls’ College where I was a part of various choirs, such as ‘Cantala’. Cantala is where I grew my love for classical music, and I am now residing in the city of the longest river studying a BMus in Classical Performance at the University of Waikato […]
Libby Montgomery
SOPRANO
Libby has lived all around the North Island and currently lives in Auckland studying a Bachelors of Music, majoring in Classical Performance (Voice) at UoA. She is a member of the Auckland Chamber Choir and has been performing for over 10 years. Some highlights have been being in UoA’s ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’, being involved […]
Lilli Street
ALTO 2020-2021
Lilli is a Composition graduate from the NZSM at Victoria, University of Wellington. She loves to sing and has been a member of auditioned choirs throughout her education and into her adulthood. She is currently a member of Orpheus Choir of Wellington, and is taking voice lessons with Paloma Bruce.
Lillian Gibbs
SOPRANO
Lillian is a Soprano from Dunedin. She has enjoyed many years of choral activities, Including The Big Sing, the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir (2015-2018) and numerous international choral tours. Lillian is currently in her second year at the University of Otago, studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Sociology and Classical Voice Performance […]
Cameron McConchie
TENOR
Cameron was born and raised in Auckland, with his passion for music and singing in choirs beginning when he started school. That passion grew when he attended Westlake Boys High School, joining Voicemale and later Choralation during this time. While taking a gap year this year, he plans to pursue composition and develop his skills, […]
Lucy Clough
SOPRANO 2020-2021
Joining the NZYC whānau is a dream come true. I am a Bachelor of Science Graduate from the University of Otago, and have now moved on to further study in Law at the University of Canterbury, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Bioethics and Health Law through the University of Otago. Whilst music has not […]
Lydia Weir
ALTO
Returning choir member Lydia has been singing and performing in her towns local productions since the age of 5. Formerly a member of NZSSC, and joining NZYC in 2017, Lydia is passionate about choral music and classical singing. Growing up in Hawera, Taranaki, Lydia now lives in Wellington where she is studying in her final […]
Mackenzie Horwood-Verstappen
BASS
Kia ora! My name is Mackenzie and I am a baritone, originally from Wellington, who has migrated to Auckland in pursuit of a better climate! My choral singing career was kickstarted when I auditioned for the Wellington College Chorale in 2016 and loved every minute of it. Since then, my passion for singing has snowballed […]
Maggie Zhang
SOPRANO
Maggie is completing a Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Science at the University of Auckland. She is currently working as a junior acoustic and vibrations engineer.
Matthew Bennett
TENOR
When he’s not singing, Matthew spends his time finishing his Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Auckland. Matthew enjoys singing in many music groups, from choirs to small ensembles with friends and treasures his time in NZYC, as it provides a great excuse to spend time with his favourite people.
Maximilian Wilson
TENOR
Max is from Auckland.He attended King’s College. Max was a member of NZ Secondary Students’ Choir and is currently a member of The Graduate Choir.
Melissa Tsoi
ALTO 2020-2021
Melissa is from Auckland, and joined NZYC in 2021. Melissa is completing her Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) and is looking forward to working as a highschool music teacher in the future. Melissa is also a pianist, composer and conductor and she works as an itinerant voice and piano teacher, conducts the St Francis de […]
Olivia Forbes
SOPRANO 2023
Born in Auckland, Olivia is a third year student at Auckland University studying a conjoint degree in Classical Voice and Italian. She was first introduced to classical music in year five under the tuition of Shelagh Richardson. She was a member of Kristin School’s premiere choir Euphony for five years under the direction of David […]
Miles Timmis
BASS
Miles is originally from Manchester, UK and currently lives in Auckland. He is studying a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice at the University of Auckland after he finished high school at Rangitoto College in 2019. A member of NZ Secondary Students’ Choir in 2019-20, Miles also plays and teaches the trumpet around Auckland’s North […]
Nicholas Curry
TENOR
Nick is a Law and Music student at the university of Auckland. While taking breaks from studying the books, he enjoys playing in Jazz Bands and Singing in Choirs and other acapella groups.
Peter Liley
TENOR
Peter Liley is a sound artist living and working in Wellington. After finishing a bachelor of music in composition and music technology, and a diploma in saxophone performance, Peter is forging a career as a classical performer, experimental musician and installation artist in the capital. A performance by Peter usually involves custom-written software, lighting, and […]
Sarah Mileham
SOPRANO
Sarah is a young singer currently completing her first year of a Bachelor in Music, Majoring in Classical Performance at the New Zealand School of Music. Originally from Tauranga, Sarah has moved to pursue her love of singing in Wellington and gets involved in as many musical events in the community as possible. Her love […]
Sally Haywood
ALTO 2014 - 2020
Sally attended Bethlehem College in Tauranga and has always been very involved in choral singing. She was in the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir for four years, and was leader of the choir from 2013-2014. She has recently graduated with a BMus (hons) in Classical Performance Voice at the New Zealand School of Music in […]
Samuel Harris
TENOR 2020-2021
Samuel is a second year student, currently studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland. Originally from Havelock North in the Hawke’s Bay, Sam has been classically trained as a tenor. Throughout his schooling and tertiary education, Sam has been a member of the New Zealand Secondary […]
Shaunagh Chambers
SOPRANO 2020-2021
Shaunagh is currently in her third year at Victoria University in Wellington, studying a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Voice Performance at the New Zealand School of Music. She aspires to complete her degree with honours. Her passion for music outside of choral singing extends to playing the piano, violin and pipe organ.
Xavier Krause
TENOR
Xavier is Wellington-based, and is an ex-Tawa college student. He is currently a first year student at the Victoria University of Wellington, studying a BSc/BMus Conjoint in Psychology and Classical Voice. Also a member of the NZ Secondary Students’ Choir, 2019-20. Hobbies include songwriting and learning languages