Tessa is a recent graduate of the University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, where she completed a BBioMedSc in Functional Human Biology. She is based in Dunedin, and currently sings with the Southern Youth Choir, Octagon Ensemble, and All Saints’ Church Choir. She is also Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, and enjoys being a committee member and occasional conductor for the Southern Youth Choir.

Rachel has worked many years in the Arts sector in New Zealand and abroad.  After studying Professional Stage Management and Technical Theatre at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Rachel worked with various organisations in the UK and Ireland, mostly in opera.  In Aotearoa, after eight years managing tours for Chamber Music New Zealand, Rachel joined the team at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, an amazing charity helping youth to achieve self-development challenges.  Rachel can also be found in various Wellington venues on their Host team, or helping out backstage with shows.

Born, raised, and living in Auckland, Eloise has been an avid singer and musician for many years. Eloise is currently completing her Honours year for her Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Vocal Performance at the University of Auckland. Eloise was a member of the last youth choir cycle and is so excited to be returning this cycle. She is also a member and administrator for the Auckland Chamber Choir.

Tim is a composer and choral artist from Kirikiriroa Hamilton and is a returning member of NZYC for this cycle. A recent graduate from the University of Auckland, Tim has sung in all 4 of the national choirs under CANZ. Tim was also part of the first pair of singers from Aotearoa to represent the nation in the Asia Pacific Youth Choir in South Korea, 2024. As a composer, Tim has had work performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Wellington and Auckland Youth Choirs and a number of local ensembles.

Sophia is a soprano from Wellington and attends Queen Margaret College, where her love for singing was fostered. She has just completed the 2023-2024 cycle of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, and is planning to study classical voice at university.

Ruby began learning music at a young age, playing the piano and discovering her love for choral singing as a member of Cantala at Wellington East Girls’ College.  Ruby has gone on to sing with multiple groups, including The Wellington Youth Choir since 2022.

Following completion of her BCom in accounting and commercial law at Victoria University in 2020, Ruby works as a business advisory consultant and has recently become a chartered accountant.

Courtney holds an MMus with Distinction in Conducting from UC, complementing her BMus(Hons) in Performance Voice and a BA in German and Linguistics from Otago. Her love of singing began in primary school and she earned her ABRSM Diploma at 16.  She has since featured as a soloist with the Nelson Symphony Orchestra, Opera Otago, Octagon Ensemble, Christchurch Opera Club, City Choir Dunedin, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Jubilate Singers and Risingholme Orchestra.

Her musical endeavours extend beyond singing; Courtney directs choirs (UC’s Consortia, Harmony Singers, Schola Cantorum), vocal coaches, and offers private tuition. Recognised with the J.M.W. Speirs Memorial Prize in Choral Conducting during her time in Dunedin, she directed the Southern Youth Choir and the Selwyn College Choirs and served as Director of Music at All Saints’. Courtney is an adept violinist and composer and is also a sought-after relief teacher, tutors music theory and ensemble at the University of Canterbury, and is an adjudicator at local vocal and arts competitions.