Artist development with Te Pae Kōkako
Te Pae Kōkako – The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio is the long-held vision of Dame Malvina Major, a Senior Fellow in Music at the University of Waikato.
In its inaugural year in 2023, five promising young opera singers will be chosen from across the country for the immersive Master of Music programme in Advanced Opera Studies at the University of Waikato, two of which will be funded by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation. Te Pae Kōkako will provide training from national and international tutors, and the opera students will travel to residencies in New Zealand and abroad. It is the first programme of its kind in New Zealand to combine academic rigour with immersive industry training. Find out more about the studio and programme.
“We already know that our young New Zealand singers have so much talent and potential, let’s give them the head start they need here at home to succeed in their international careers.”
Dame Malvina Major Chair in Opera
The immersive Master of Music programme in Advanced Opera Studies at the University of Waikato is headed by New Zealand soprano, Madeleine Pierard, the inaugural Dame Malvina Major Chair in Opera at the University of Waikato. Ms Pierard is an internationally-recognised opera singer who has recently returned from London to take up this position alongside her international career. Her role is funded by Hamilton philanthropists Sir William and Judi, Lady Gallagher to acknowledge Dame Malvina’s legacy.
