Te Pae Kōkako - The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio

11/10/2026

📣 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

It was a huge week of exciting announcements last week and we want to make sure you didn’t miss any of the amazing events coming up!

🎶 TANZOS Student Recitals, 16-23 October 🎶

🎉 Anne Sofie von Otter Masterclasses 🎉
12pm, 10 November - Hamilton (livestream available!)
6pm, 11 November - Auckland (over 50% of tickets gone - don’t miss out!)

☀️ Summer Sirens, 7pm 14 November ☀️

Check out TANZOS.org/events for details and booking 🧑🏽‍💻 or TANZOS.org/livestream to watch live from afar 🎥

08/10/2026

IT’S RECITAL SEASON 🎼

Our 2026/27 TANZOS artists are gearing up for their solo recitals coming up over the next few weeks and you’re invited 📩

Catch our artists in-person at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts 🎭 or via livestream at TANZOS.org/livestream 🎥

Don’t miss out on your chance to hear some of Aotearoa’s most promising operatic talent joined on stage by pianist, Catherine Norton 🎹

16 October 4pm rosealdridge_mezzo
20 October 7pm cadencechungmezzo
21 October 7pm Emma Jones
22 October 7pm szilviahernyak
23 October 7pm caitlinrobertssoprano

06/10/2026

WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE… 🎉

Following the extraordinary success of our Joyce DiDonato masterclass last year, TANZOS is delighted to welcome another legendary mezzo-soprano to Aotearoa: ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER

With a career spanning more than four decades, multiple Grammy-winning recordings and performances on the world’s great stages, von Otter is one of the most celebrated and versatile singers of her generation.

📍 HAMILTON
Tuesday 10 November, 12pm
Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber

📍 AUCKLAND
Wednesday 11 November, 6pm
Symphonia Hall

🎟️ book at www.tanzos.org/events - ENTRY IS FREE to both events

An extraordinary opportunity for our artists to learn directly from one of the great singers of our time.

Presented by Te Pae Kōkako TANZOS and generously supported by the

🎟️ book at www.tanzos.org/events
Featuring:

06/10/2026

🎶 SUMMER SIRENS — A Cornucopia of Opera & Song

Summer is calling, and we’re celebrating with an evening of beautiful opera, song and the extraordinary young artists of Te Pae Kōkako TANZOS.

Join our 2026–27 TANZOS cohort, accompanied by pianist Jonathan Dunlop, for a programme of stunning opera arias and song — a perfect way to spend a summer evening. ✨

Whether you’re planning a special night out, a date night, or simply want to relax with great music, come along, have a drink, and soak it all in. 🍷🎶

📍 Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber, University of Waikato, Hamilton
📅 Saturday 14 November, 7pm
🎟️ Book now at www.tanzos.org/events

Come and hear the next generation of New Zealand opera singers in concert, including

04/10/2026

So proud of our TANZOS whānau doing amazing things - here’s the gorgeous Katherine Winitana, who, with Jasmine Jessen was a singing flyer in World of WearableArt (WOW):

Talk about making an entrance!

Soprano Katherine Winitana (Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngā Ariki Kaiputahi) performs whilst she descends from the ceiling at the 2026 World of WearableArt (WOW)

28/09/2026

🌟 WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?

Behind every great singer is a community of people who challenge, inspire and help them grow.

Over the past few months, our TANZOS artists have had extraordinary opportunities to work with an incredible group of guest tutors and industry professionals from Aotearoa and around the world — gaining insights into everything from vocal technique and repertoire to characterisation, stagecraft, career development and the realities of the international
opera industry.

With tutors and industry experts including Bryan Hymel, Julien Benhamou, Olivia Kahler, Justin Way, Jonathan Lemalu, Sharolyn Kimmorley, David Harper, Romain Dumas and more - our artists have access to a wealth of experience right here in
Aotearoa. 🇳🇿🌏

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on each of these remarkable tutors and sharing a little more about what they brought to TANZOS — and what our artists took away from working with them.

🎭 World-class experience. Personal mentorship.
Aotearoa talent.

We’re so grateful to all of our guest tutors, and to the supporters and organisations who make these opportunities possible.

Stay tuned… 👀



NewZealandOpera

18/09/2026

Congratulations to Dame Susan Hassall, Chair of the Te Pae Kōkako - The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio Advisory Board and Chancellor of The University of Waikato, on her investiture today at Government House.

Dame Susan Hassall, JP, of Cambridge, DNZM for services to education.

Dame Susan Hassall was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2021 for her services to education, and has since expanded her contributions to the wider sector. Dame Susan was Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School from 1999 until 2024, overseeing many significant academic and sporting successes and growth of the school. Her contributions to education and the wider community were recognised with the Hamilton Kirikiriroa Medal by Hamilton City Council in 2024. Having been on the University of Waikato Council from 2016 and Pro-Chancellor since 2017, she was appointed Chancellor in 2025 and is a member of the University of Waikato Foundation. She contributed to the signing of a kawenata between Waikato-Tainui and the University of Waikato in 2025, setting a foundation for how they will work together on programmes supporting their strategic objectives. Dame Susan is Chair of Hospice Waikato Trust and was Acting CEO for 10 months from 2024 to 2025, having been on the Board since 2018. She became Deputy Chair of Momentum Waikato in 2026, supporting community development projects and charities, having joined the Board in 2025. She was a founding member of the Association of Boys’ Schools of New Zealand in 2001 and has held several executive offices since 2008. Dame Susan has contributed to gifted education through giftEDnz and many years with the Minister’s Advisory Group.

16/09/2026

Check out two of our gorgeous graduates, Katherine Winitana and Jasmine Jessen who will be stunning audiences in World of WearableArt (WOW) opening this week!

05/09/2026

Massive toi toi toi to Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono for this weekend!!!!!

Have you booked your tickets to this year's Bel Canto Award and Sydney Int Song Prize Final? Here's how, don't wait just DO IT and get your chance to vote for your favourite artists.
https://events.humanitix.com/joan-sutherland-and-richard-bonynge-bel-canto-award-and-sydney-international-song-prize-finals/tickets