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.
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 currently a member of the Auckland Chamber Choir. This is his second cycle with the New Zealand Youth Choir. Denzel is currently studying for an Honours Degree in Studio Pedagogy at The University of Auckland under the tutelage of Dr. Te Oti Rakena.
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.
Sponsored by:
St Matthew-in-the-City
Arthur Adams-Close will be completing his BMus(Hons) in classical voice performance with Dr Te Oti Rakena and conducting with Dr Karen Grylls at the University of Auckland in June 2020. Major performances during his time at the university includes the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro Act II (2019), ‘Le Chat’ in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges (2017), and Schubert’s song cycle Die schöne Müllerin (Summer Research Scholarship recital 2019). Arthur has been a member of the NZ Youth Choir since 2016, and Voices NZ and the NZ Opera Chorus since 2018, and is a 2020 Freemasons Artist with NZ Opera. He is also an alum of the NZ Secondary Students’ Choir, the University of Auckland Chamber Choir, the Auckland Youth Orchestra, IFAC Handa NZ Singing School (as singer in 2017 and as intern conductor in 2019), and have been involved in Opera Factory performances since a young age. In 2017 and 2018 Arthur competed in the New Zealand Aria (under 21) and the North Shore Performing Arts (senior vocal) competitions with much success, including the Under-21 years NZ Aria Award.As a teacher and conductor, Arthur currently works at Saint Kentigern, St Peter’s, and Sacred Heart Colleges in Auckland, and has recently been appointed as the conductor of the Auckland University Students’ Chamber Orchestra.
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.
Sponsored by
Merrall & Lowry Families
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.
Mark is from Auckland.
Mark attended Aorere College.
He was a member of NZSSC from 2011-12 and The Graduate Choir from 2009-12.
Maaike lives in Wellington.
Helen grew up in Hamilton singing in choirs, while obtaining an ATCL in piano and a Bachelor of Management Studies, before moving to Auckland as an accountant.
In 1991 she joined Viva Voce and continues to enjoy singing with this group. Highlights in recent years include selection for the NZCF Tallis choir project in 2013 and as a soloist for a combined-choir Elijah in 2016. Helen was National Accountant for the New Zealand Choral Federation during the first four years of its revamped governance structure.
