Rosie is a soprano from Blenheim currently Dunedin-based at the University of Otago. She is studying for a Bachelor of Music endorsed in Performance, under the tutelage of Dr Tessa Romano, and a Diploma of Languages in French. Whilst at secondary school, Rosie became the Marlborough District Council Anthem Singer and received a grant from the Inspire Foundation to support her performance endeavours. She was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir in 2021 and 2022, and was the soprano section leader for the Aotearoa New Zealand Academy Choir in 2023. In Dunedin, she is a member and soloist of the Southern Youth Choir, has performed in the Octagon Ensemble, and in the Opera Otago Chorus.
Emma is a Dunedin based singer who is currently completing her Bachelor of Performing Arts at the University of Otago. She developed a love for music from a young age learning the piano and trombone alongside singing. Emma was involved in music throughout her years at Burnside High School and was awarded both the Jean Cumming Cup for Choral music, and the Outstanding Contribution to Music award in 2021. She was also a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Choir in 2021-2022, and is a current member of the Southern Youth Choir.
Philip recently completed his PhD in Software Engineering at Victoria University of Wellington and is now working as a Software Developer. Starting his choral singing at Tawa College, Philip has since been involved with a number of choirs, including NZSSC and NZYC. Philip was the Music Director of the Wellington Youth Choir from 2020 to 2022. As well as NZYC, he also sings with Wellington Youth Choir and the Orpheus Choir of Wellington, for which he is currently a member of the Board of Directors. When Philip isn’t singing he enjoys playing squash, Scottish Country Dancing, and pub quizzing.
Tahlia is a composer from Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington. She holds a Bachelor of Music in instrumental/vocal composition, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Practice (passed with distinction) where she specialised in film scoring. Tahlia has worked on local projects such as BBC’s The Luminaries, Blue Moon, Loading Docs He Hekenga Tuhura and Haka Haha, and the TVNZ short series Little Apocalypse. Tahlia joined CANZ in 2023 as Assistant Producer to all four choirs and has since upgraded to Associate Producer & Marketing. In her spare time, she writes her own music and sings in choirs within Wellington.
tahlia@choirsnz.co.nz
Tausala (she/they) is a Samoan New Zealander (Utuali’i and North Shore, Auckland) who is passionate about creating beautiful and impactful music with NZYC. Tausala is a member of the Auckland Chamber Choir, and has been passionate about choirs since her inaugural performance at the Big Sing Finale as a part of Takapuna Grammar School Chorale. They have ten years of Classical Piano and five years of Classical Voice lessons under their belt. Tausala is currently training as a choral conductor through NZCF’s New Zealand Young Conductor Training programme, working as an intern with All Together Now. On the side, they work as a Dean at Diocesan School for Girls’ boarding house.
Kia ora rā! Ko Tess ahau, tētahi o ngā kaiwaiata i roto i te Rōpū Rangatahi Waiata o Aotearoa. My ancestral lineage descends from Europe and Jamaica, nā he tangata Pākehā, Tauiwi ahau ki te whenua nei. I grew up in Pōneke Wellington in a musical family. My mother is a violinist in New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and through her encouragement I started the pinao and picked up cello around 9, which I continued through University in a MusB. While at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (Otago), I also completed a BA in reo Māori, kapa performing arts, linguistics, and English literature. In my final year, I chose classical voice as 2nd instrument under Anna Leese’s tutelage. She unlocked sounds I’d never thought I could make. Coming from an orchestral and chamber music background, this was quite exciting! I loved lessons, and with her support, joined NZYC for the 2023-2025 cycle. I’m now in Pōneke working in a bilingual Te Tiriti/Treaty and history education space.
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 Otago. Jemma played the role of Hélène in Opera Otago’s production of ‘An Incomplete Education’ for the Dunedin Fringe Festival 2023.
