Kezia is an 18-year-old soprano from Hamilton, currently studying under Dr Morag Atchison. She is in her second year of a conjoint degree in Classical Voice and Law at the University of Auckland, where she has achieved outstanding academic success, earning multiple scholarships and top of subjects during her first year.

She was selected for the roles of Gretel in Humperdinck’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and Barbarina in Mozart’s ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ as part of the 2026 National Youth Opera Aotearoa’s Young Artist Programme. In 2025, Kezia won the Under 21 Trophy at the Hamilton Vocal Competition and received a Very Highly Commended award for her recital at the New Zealand Aria Competition in Rotorua. She also performed as a soloist with the Auckland Youth Orchestra.

Kezia is a member of the 2026–2028 New Zealand Youth Choir cycle, the Auckland Chamber Choir, 8bit Octet, and serves as a choral scholar at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Kezia was a member of the Gondwana Chorale in 2025, touring North America and Canada as both a soloist and chorister. She was also a member of the 2023–2024 New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir. In addition to her vocal achievements, Kezia holds her ATCL diploma in violin and performed as a soloist with the Waikato Youth Orchestra in 2024.

She aspires to pursue a professional career in singing and hopes to continue postgraduate studies overseas.

Talofa! My name is Constantine Mataafa, and I am of Samoan decent, singing in the NZ Youth Choir. I’ve always grown up around singing, whether it was at church, my cousins wedding or with my siblings at home, music has definitely been a massive part of who I am and the identity that I uphold. But my choral journey began with Primary School in APPA, eventually leading me to sing in my high school choirs, Choralation and Voicemale, which I sang in right from year 9 till year 13, and in this time I fell into a deep passion for choral music as a whole. When I’m not singing in choir you’ll find me at church, on the golf course, or at University! My faith, family and friends are some of the most important things to, and they make up a huge part of why I love to sing.

I grew up around music and spent my childhood playing alongside my family in various orchestras – but my true love is singing. Outside of NZYC I sing with the Wellington Youth Choir and have previously sung in the New Zealand Secondary Students’ choir.

I currently work in the public sector in Wellington, and most of my spare time is spent sewing, knitting, or spending time with my family’s two dogs.

Thomas Whaley (he/him) is a bass living in Wellington with roots in Taranaki and Northland. Thomas is a singer/songwriter having released an independent and self-produced album. He is also involved in blending the world of theatre, technology, and the voice to create expressive and award winning sound medium.

Currently working as a software engineer in the electricity distribution industry, Thomas studied Computer Science and Music Technology at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.

Big Charle Rainey Fan <3

Mackenzie is based in Otautahi Christchurch studying a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts. She grew up in Auckland, and was apart of Westlake’s Cantare and Chorolation choirs. This is her first year in the New Zealand Youth Choir and she continues to sing with the Christchurch Youth Choir.

I am a singer from Wellington with Chinese and Kiwi heritage. I sing with the Wellington Youth Choir and the ensemble Octosquad, and was a member of the 2019-2020 NZSSC cycle. I studied a Bachelor of Science and currently work full time as a front-line officer with Biosecurity New Zealand. I also have an interest in arts management and did promotional work for the Pueri Cantores 2025 festival in Munich through the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM).

Singer and pianist from Wellington. I also sing in Wellington Youth Choir and Vocal FX. Currently studying te reo Māori.

Kia Ora! I’m Theo, one of the second basses. I’m currently studying English Literature & Film at Victoria – I’m a big fan of language, which is part of why I enjoy choral singing so much. I also work part-time for Wellington Free Ambulance as a 111 calltaker. I’ve been singing for about ten years, starting properly in intermediate, and used to perform with the Blue Notes, the Ringtones, and have sung as a guest with Supertonic and others. I grew up in Wellington and I love it here, and in my spare time I tend to write or watch long movies. I’ve always been a big fan of NZYC and I’m very proud to be a part of their cohort.

Eleanor is a third-year student at the University of Auckland, completing a conjoint Bachelor of Music, Performance Violin and Bachelor of Science in Physics.

She has been singing and involved with choirs for her entire schooling, including with the St Cecilia Singers and Divinitus Choirs. She was a previous member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Academy Choir and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Choir and is a current choral scholar with the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland.

Eleanor was concertmaster of her high-level school orchestras and competed in the national Chamber music competition. She now performs in university chamber groups and plays with the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra.
She is Associate Concertmaster of the Auckland Youth Orchestra, and also plays with the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra.

She is extremely keen on continuing her music career, including more performing opportunities and eventually pursuing a Masters degree in violin overseas.

Kia Ora, my name is Mia! I grew up in Auckland and went to Takapuna Grammar school, where I sung in both of the schools’ premier choirs; Leonessa and Chorale, as well as the Aotearoa Academy Choir. Last year, I moved to Hamilton to study at Waikato University, and I am now in my second year of a bachelor of music, majoring in performance voice. I started off by playing the flute and recorder when I was seven, and my love for music, specifically singing, has only grown from there, and will continue to grow!