The Dame Malvina Major Foundation is marking 35 years of supporting young New Zealand opera talent, with alumni now performing on international stages and a new generation continuing to emerge.
The Dame Malvina Major Foundation is marking 35 years of supporting young New Zealand opera talent, with alumni now performing on international stages and a new generation continuing to emerge.
“When I established the Dame Malvina Major Foundation in 1991, it was because I knew from my own experience how much it matters to be given a chance.
Talent on its own is not enough. It needs encouragement, guidance, and the right support at the right time. Looking back, the Foundation has become one of the most meaningful parts of my career, and something I am immensely proud of,” says Dame Malvina Major.
Through scholarships, awards and partnerships, the Foundation has supported hundreds of young performers at key stages in their development, many of whom have gone on to build careers in New Zealand and internationally.
Among them are tenor Pene Pati, soprano Madison Nonoa, baritone Moses Mackay, tenor Amitai Pati and more recently Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, whose acceptance into the Jette Parker Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House in London reflects the level of talent now emerging from New Zealand.
Today, the Foundation supports singers through a combination of performance opportunities, training and financial assistance. This includes programmes such as National Youth Opera Aotearoa and Te Pae Kōkako – The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS), an intensive 18-month programme that prepares emerging artists for the demands of the international stage, alongside its Arts Excellence Awards and the $50,000 Dame Malvina Major Award, which provide critical support at pivotal moments in a performer’s development.
This combination of support enables artists to progress over time, from early exposure through to professional training and international opportunities.
“It’s not just about creating opera singers,” Dame Malvina has said. “It’s about helping young people grow into who they can be and I’m so appreciative of our sponsors and supporters who assist us in doing so.”
The Foundation recently marked its 35th anniversary with a concert at Government House in Wellington, hosted by the Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, bringing together established artists, emerging singers and long-time supporters.
Chair David Jackson says the anniversary is both a celebration and a reminder of the importance of sustaining the Foundation’s work for the future.
“We’ve seen what can be achieved over time,” he says. “The focus now is making sure the Foundation remains strong and able to continue this work for the next generation.”
Thirty-five years on, the Foundation’s purpose remains the same – to ensure talented young New Zealanders are given the opportunity to develop their craft, build confidence, and take their place on the stage, wherever that stage may be.
To continue supporting young New Zealand performers at the level required to succeed internationally, the Foundation relies on the support of individuals and organisations who believe in the value of developing talent over time.
Arts Excellence Awards, Cecily Maccoll Awards, and Maxwell Fernie Awards Announced
This week, the Foundation is announcing its 2026 recipients of the prestigious Arts Excellence Awards, Cecily Maccoll High Achiever Awards, and Maxwell Fernie Awards, distributing over $40,000 to support the continued development of young New Zealand singers and instrumentalists as they take the next step in their professional music careers. More than 100 awards have been granted since the programmes began, helping to launch the careers of many of New Zealand’s finest musicians.
Recipients announced include:
Arts Excellence Awards:
Cecily Maccoll High Achiever Award
Maxwell Fernie Dame Malvina Major Award
