Awarded the Iosefa Enari Scholarship Award for the support and development of Pacific Island Opera Singers in 2004 and was a finalist for the New Zealand Aria competition in 2007-08. One of Operatunity’s New Zealand Three Tenors and has toured with Operatunity in both the Class Act Concert series and the Daytime Concert Series.

Karl has a string of credits to his name having performed lead roles in Les Miserables and recently landing the title role as 'The Phantom' in The Phantom of the Opera. He has recorded an album with good friend Vicki Lee called 'Music of the Night' a gentle mix of popular standards and musical theatre. A career highlight has been touring NZ with Dame Malvina Major for her heartland tours.

Alexandra is a classical music major from the University of Auckland, she has performed in many musicals and operas and she is also a vocal coach. Alexandra belongs to a singing trio called The Velvetines. 

Alex holds a BMus (Performance) from the University of Auckland. Since graduating, Alex has maintained a busy and varied performance career around New Zealand including regular appearances with Operatunity over the past six years. Alex has also performed in the NZ Opera Chorus in their productions of The Flying Dutchman, The Rakes Progress, Otello, An afternoon of Gilbert and Sullivan and Opera at Ayrlies Garden. Other appearances include performing as a soloist with the Pakuranga Choral Society, post-concert entertainment for the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, Rotorua Lakeside Concert and many private events and functions around Auckland. A highlight of his career has been performing as a backing vocalist for Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on several occasions with the Opera Factory ensemble. He has also performed leading and principal roles in The Pirates of Penzance, Curtains, Anything Goes, The Wizard of Oz, Orpheus in the Underworld,  The Impresario, The Daughters of the Late Colonel and Carmina Burana.  

New Zealand soprano Amanda Atlas embarked on her international career in 1999, spending ten years singing for various opera companies and orchestras in the US and Europe. Role highlights include Verdi’s Amelia, Leonora, Alice Ford and Desdemona; Puccini’s Tosca, Suor Angelica, Musetta, Mimi, and Madama Butterfly; Poulenc’s one-woman opera La Voix Humaine; Mascagni’s Suzel; Weill’s Rose; Offenbach’s Giulietta.

Recent concert repertoire includes Bruckner’s F Minor Mass, and Strauss’ Four Last Songs and Mahler’s Second Symphony with the Birmingham Philharmonic. Ms Atlas has also appeared in concert with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonic, Auckland Choral, Cantando Choir, and the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra. 

2016 saw Amanda make her role debuts with New Zealand Opera and Opera Australia, where she sang Siegrune in their acclaimed international production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

One of New Zealand's most respected sax players and a professional musician for most of his life, Bruce has performed with a wide variety of artists including Tom Sharplin, Sonny Day, Ritchie Pickett, Mark Heke, Peter Morgan and Bunny Walters. Bruce currently performs with Auckland bands Tongue And Groove and The Recliner Rockers.

Bruce also performs on his own playing a wide range of popular instrumentals; he has played at The Auckland Home Show, The Ellerslie Flower Show and Heineken Tennis Open as well as many weddings, restaurants, shopping malls, garden parties and various other events and functions. Bruce has performed in many of Operatunity’s concert tours, including Rock Around The 50’s’, Era Of Swing, Hits Of The 60's and 70's, Quintessentially Kiwi, and Tribute to the Rat Pack.

Born in Canterbury, England, Bryony spent much of her life in New Zealand until moving back to the UK in 2012. She completed a Bachelor of Music and a Postgraduate Diploma in Classical Voice at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington in 2011. A review in the New Zealand Listener commented that Bryony was ‘one to watch’ after her much praised performance as the role of Helena in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the NZSM in 2011. She also sang the title role in Handel’s Alcina in 2012, the role of Ino in Semele in 2009, and has sung with the New Zealand Opera in both Cavelleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci and Macbeth.

In 2011 Bryony was one of five finalists in the 2011 IFAC Australian Singing Competition held in the Sydney Opera House. From this she was awarded her overseas study scholarship for her first year at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Bryony played the lead role of Adina in the RNCM’s 2013 December production of L’elisir d’amore, and during her Postgraduate year she was the winner of Frederic Cox Award for Singing and the Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss. She then took up a place on the prestigious Opera and Voice studio leading to the International Artist Diploma for 2013/2014, generously supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation who awarded her the Lady Maria Fisher Opera Scholarship. Bryony also had experience with live broadcasts; featuring on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’ with a set of five songs by Richard Strauss, and singing national anthems at two major international rugby test matches in New Zealand.

In September 2014, Bryony joined the highly publicized tour of the Orchestre Symphonique de Kimbanguiste from the Democratic Republic of Congo as a Beethoven Choral Symphony No.9 soloist. They performed in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Festival Hall in London and the Colston Hall in Bristol in collaboration with The Halleì, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the London Philharmonic Choir.

Bryony was a member of the 2014/2015 Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, and during her first year she was lucky enough to perform in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in Der Rosenkavalier as well as performing La Traviata in seven cities across the UK and Ireland during their touring season. Singing Strauss's Vier Letze Lieder with the Stockport Symphony Orchestra in March was a notable highlight of 2016, as well as performing a recital of Schumann song in the Oxford Lieder Festival with David Owen Norris playing Clara Schumann's very own piano. In between various singing engagements in the UK, Bryony also spent three months in Berlin studying German.

2017 took Bryony back home and to her musical theatre roots with the New Plymouth Operatic Society, singing Mary Poppins to much acclaim, before a trip back to England at the end of the year to perform in the Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

Cameron is a graduate of both the University of Auckland and the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, where he studied singing, French and Italian.

He was a 2010/2011 PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist for NBR New Zealand Opera and was also a member of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus for three years.

Charlotte West is a Musical Theatre and Jazz singer based in Auckland. Charlotte attended Rangitoto College on Auckland's North Shore before heading down to Christchurch to attend NASDA (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts), graduating in 2007. In 2008 Charlotte met her husband to-be, Aidan, in the cast of Les Miserables, where she was playing the role of Cosette. They now have two wonderful Daughters, Lola who will be three in January and Bonnie who will be two in April, 2020.

Charlotte has been involved with many musical theatre productions around Auckland and also works as a vocal coach, specialising in vocal rehabilitation, with clients ranging from teachers and business professionals to singers and actors. You can also hear her as a regular voice over artist - Charlotte has been a station voice for all TVNZ channels since 2013 and an in house voice for Mediaworks Radio since 2011.She also voices for a range of other  companies, recent clients include, Chorus, Spark, Westpac, Air New Zealand, Paseo and many others. 

Charlotte is thrilled to be joining the Operatunity family and can't wait for her first concert tour in January-February 2020. 

David Kelly has been principal repetiteur for New Zealand Opera since 2008. David studied at the University of Canterbury with Diedre Irons and Dr. Maurice Till, and at the Australian Opera Studio in Perth, Western Australia.

He is an accompanist and coach at the University of Auckland, and appears regularly with the Auckland Philharmonia and Auckland Chamber Orchestra.

He has been a coach at the New Zealand Opera School since 2006, accompanying classes given by Paul Farrington, Dennis O’Neill and ​ Håkan Hagegård. David has collaborated frequently with flutist Luca Manghi; their well-received album 'Quays' was released on Atoll in 2012.In 2014 he undertook a Chamber Music New Zealand regional tour with the Donizetti Trio. 

Derek is a graduate of Montreal University and has performed with many NZ opera companies including NBR NZ Opera. He is a Freemasons Opera Scholar, proudly supported by Freemasons Roskill Foundation. 

Grant Winterburn is one of New Zealand’s leading keyboard players. His wealth of experience across a wide range of musical genres has made him in demand as a musical director, pianist, accompanist, jazz organ player, session musician and music tutor. Grant is also a Performance Teacher and Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland School of Music.

Hamish McGregor is a musical theatre performer who has spent the last 18 years performing in productions throughout the country for various musical theatre societies. Born and bred in Invercargill, Hamish has a Bachelor of Education and has been a primary school teacher for 13 years. He has taught throughout New Zealand and Asia and continues to relief teach in Auckland.

An Actor/Singer, Hamish has performed in some of the greatest musicals of all time including Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, Oliver, Mamma Mia and My Fair Lady. Over the last 4 years Hamish has moved into directing musicals and in 2016 alone directed 4 musicals including one that he co-wrote called Hungover, which had an extremely successful season in Auckland. Directing Highlights have included 2 seasons of adult puppet musical Avenue Q, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

Hamish also has a passion for arts education for teenagers and as part of his directing portfolio has been working with two Auckland secondary schools directing their annual school productions. He is also busy traveling the country teaching acting at musical theatre workshops around the country. In 2017 Hamish was also the director for CCMT a non profit organisation that runs affordable 10 day work shops for teenagers during January based out of the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland.

Having toured with Operatunity in 2014 and 2015, Hamish is delighted to be hitting the road again to see the best parts of beautiful Aotearoa and looks forward to seeing you all again soon.

Isaac graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. His recent theatre credits include Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, Badjelly the Witch, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde the Musical and Chicago as Mary Sunshine. His other theatre credits include lead roles in Pippin, Sweet Charity (NASDA) and as Tick in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Showbiz Christchurch). He also travels around New Zealand and Australia throughout the year performing Motown classics with The Midtown Boys (DKCM).

Jess has successfully toured internationally with world music show “Barrage” for almost 5 years through 5 continents. Her work encompasses classical, world, gypsy, jazz, country, and Celtic music.

Kalauni is a member of the Auckland Chamber Choir, that represented Auckland University overseas in Singapore and the United Kingdom in 2010 under the conduct of Professor Karen Grylls. He is a winner of the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Award for the most promising classical singer at the NZ Singing School 2013 and winner of many other awards.

Karen Davy is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter, impersonator and recording artist, whose honours include The Variety Artists Club NZ - AGNEW & Silver Scroll Award, Five song writing Awards, and in 2011 Karen won the second highest award (AGNEW) for excellence in music at the VACNZ Benny Awards.

Karen is a Guinness World Record holder, singing non-stop for 48 hours, raising $27,000 for the charity Kidney Kids.

As a tribute to Dolly Parton (for 25 years), she appeared on the 'Stars in Their Eyes' TV show as "Dolly" and has also toured and performed around NZ, U.S.A., Australia and Norfolk Island. Karen has also been performing as Stevie Nicks for many years, and along with Ken Strong, is in the tribute band 'Dreams – The Fleetwood Mac Experience'. 

Operatically trained, Kelly holds a Bachelor of Music and Arts in Classical Voice Performance and European studies from the University of Auckland. During her time at university she was the recipient of the prestigious University of Auckland Scholarship, Evelyn M Harrison Scholarship, and Palazzo Italia Scholarship funding her studies in Venice, Italy.

Her talent has been recognised by both the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Nelson Symphony Orchestra having been invited to be a soloist at their 'Best and Young' and 'Solo Spotlight' concerts respectively. In partnership with the Auckland Art Gallery she could be heard giving patrons “the gift of song” as part of the exhibition Lee Mingwei and His Relations: The Art of Participation 2016-17 and returned to the gallery as an APO Young Achiever performing for the Corsini Exhibition.

Other performance highlights include performing the roles of Hippolyta and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theatre in London as part of the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company, playing the title role in the University of Auckland’s production of Ravel’s L'enfant et les sortilèges, and various roles with boutique company Opera Factory including; Papagena (The Magic Flute arr. Diack), Jazz Trio Soprano (Trouble in Tahiti), and Belle (A Christmas Carol).

The Golden Era of Musicals 2018 was Kelly’s first time performing with Operatunity and she is absolutely delighted to be returning for their 2019 season. 

Born and raised in Auckland, Ken learnt to sing, harmonise & play guitar at family parties & has been playing professionally since the age of 13. Ken, is a well-respected & sought-after guitarist & vocalist with a diverse range of styles from Rock, Blues & Light Jazz, Rock n’ Roll, Country, Pop, and Ballads.

Ken has performed with numerous bands and combos such as “Third Movement”, and “Medicine Show” with Chris Parfitt, Brett Neilson, Tony Blomfield, and (Sir) Peter Maire. Ken is currently performing alongside musical partner Karen Davy as “Toucan …duet better than one,” specializing in tributes, with the most popular being the Fleetwood Mac Experience – Dreams.
Ken is also the Musical Director, Guitarist & Vocalist and responsible for creating the arrangements for the Fleetwood Mac Experience – Dreams.

Apart from his current musical partnership with Karen, one of Kens other memorable highlights in his career was being part of the “Desperadoes” - the Eagles tribute band. The “Desperadoes” performed concerts throughout NZ with a front line of talented musicians producing a remarkable likeness to the iconic Eagles, playing all the Eagles greatest hits with five part harmonies.

Along with working full time in music with Karen, he also takes time to teach guitar to students ranging from beginners to advanced.

Lynette is well known to Operatunity audiences. She has performed for over 30 years including principal roles with Auckland Opera, Wellington City Opera and Opera Hawkes Bay along with many local theatre companies.  Lynette’s performing experience extends to TV, Radio and the concert platform. She first joined Operatunity over 10 years ago performing in both Class Act Opera and the Daytime Concert Series and of course was Operatunity’s first staff member when they opened their office.  These days she spends less time in the office but still helps to escort our trips and never misses a chance to perform in our concerts.

One of New Zealand’s iconic entertainers, Marian's unstoppable energy and joy sweeps you up in her path. Picking up her first violin at the age of six and being inspired by the band at her mother’s wedding reception at age eight, Marian knew that music was what she wanted to pursue in life.

Marian performs both solo and within bands, playing with “Beau, Luke & Duke”in 1992, “Boot Scootin Boogie Band” in 1993, and currently plays with Irish band “The McSweeney Brothers.”

Marian has on many occasions been awarded for her music, including the “2012 Benny Award” from the Variety Artist Club of NZ, the “Life Time Achievement Award” and the “Best Fiddler as a Soloist” at the Golden Fiddle Awards.

Living and breathing the music running through her veins, she is famous for her electric live performances and will take you on a foot-stomping, musical ride and leave trying to catch your breath.

Mike Booth (trumpet) has maintained a freelance career performing a wide variety of music. Before locating to Europe Mike performed with Cats Away, Netherworld Dancing Toys, Dave Dobbyn and many other familiar NZ icons.

Returning to NZ early in 2008 Mike is teaching (NZSM Auckland and Wellington; Auckland University; High School itinerate in Auckland and Hamilton), has co-founded the Auckland Jazz Orchestra, and performs with a wide variety of musicians including Tui Jazz award winners Phil Broadhurst, Nathan Haines, and Rodger Fox.

Pat Urlich grew up in West Auckland, studying piano and singing. After leaving school he studied classical singing with Dorothy Hopkins and performed in several musical theatre productions.

He was awarded NZ Male Vocalist of the Year in 1986 as lead singer of hit pop band Peking Man. Since that time Pat has performed in various shows including Porgy and Bess and Messiah.

Pat lives in Auckland where he plays solo jazz and popular classics, accompanying himself on piano and guitar. He also runs a couple of bands and a men's choir.

Paul is a pianist, song accompanist and musical director whose performance interests span classical genres, opera, jazz and musical theatre. Paul grew up in Hawkes Bay where he maintains a teaching practice and is a faculty member of the New Zealand Singing School. Away from the piano Paul’s interests include architectural history and practice, which he studied at Victoria University between 2003 and 2010. Paul has performed with Operatunity since 2013.

Penny Dodd is a pianist, arranger, and conductor with over thirty years experience in NZ, UK and Australia. 

She spent five years as a musical director at Mercury Theatre before moving to London and working in the West End, the National Theatre and in touring shows. She has arranged and conducted Symphonic Rock Concerts with the APO, and seventeen years of Coca Cola Christmas in the Park. Musicals Penny has conducted at the Civic in Auckland include Evita, Chicago, 42nd St, Cats, and Anything Goes. 

Penny has performed with Helen Medlyn in their "hell" cabarets since 1998 and is a well known regular accompanist with Operatunity.

Pete has played at jazz festivals and concerts throughout New Zealand with the Rodger Fox Big Band, One Million Dollars, King Kapisi, Shane Cortese’s band Class of 58, Natalie Cole, Randy Crawford, Steve Smith amongst others. He has performed in Australia, UK, Europe, Asia and USA as well as performances at the Monterey Jazz festival USA and other international festivals. He is a tutor of saxophone, theory and improvisation at the New Zealand School of Music. He was currently voted NZSM, Albany lecturer of the year and on several previous years.

Ray lives in Auckland but was born and raised in Invercargill. Ray developed his immense musical skills on the Bass guitar in various Invercargill groups including the legendary ‘Vision’ band.  He moved to Auckland in 1979 and joined up with Tom Sharplin.  Becoming Tom’s musical director, Ray has performed in Australia, Fiji, Rarotonga and Papua New Guinea.  Ray has appeared many times on television over the years and has worked with almost every Kiwi entertainer over the last 40 years.  In 2009 Ray was indoctrinated into the ‘Southland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’.

Rebecca Wright has enjoyed an illustrious career in the Musical Theatre industry, most recently performing the lead role of Eva Peron in Hamilton Operatic Society’s successful production of ‘Evita’, where she received critical acclaim. Previous highlights include the title role of ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Mimi’ in ‘Rent’ - both staged at Auckland’s beloved Civic Theatre. Prior to that she lead a stellar cast around the country and learned to roller skate as the lead role of Pearl in the Starlight Express NZ Arena Tour. Other credits include the lead role in homegrown musical, ‘Amour Fantastique’ and the beginning of her professional Musical Theatre career as part of the cast of the NZ tour of ‘Evita’ in 2004. She has starred in both Coca Cola Christmas In The Park and Symphony Under The Stars, was a finalist in NZ Idol back in 2006 and even held the Guinness World Record for Singing Upside Down.

Rikki Morris’s musical history is rich and varied. He currently works as Operatunity’s full time audio engineer however his achievements go well beyond his sound engineering skills. In 1988 Morris wrote and released the No.1 hit ‘Nobody Else’ earning him Songwriter of the Year at the NZ Music Awards.  In 1991 he won an APRA Silver Scroll for his top 20 hit ‘Heartbroke’. His debut album ‘Everest’ produced by Eddie Rayner was released in 1996. Morris set up his very own recording studio, 'The Bus', from 1998-2006, during which he recorded a plethora of bands and artists, including Hammond Gamble, Graham Brazier and When The Cats' Away.   He also helped establish the careers of young bands and artists like Gin Wigmore, The Checks, Lorde and Finn Andrews.   In 2010 Morris co-wrote several tracks with Matt Harvey from electronica outfit Concord Dawn. Their first single ‘Forever’ reached no. 8 on the NZ Electronica charts with the album being nominated for album of the year at the 2011 NZ Music Awards. Another single ‘One Tear’ featured on Concord Dawn’s award winning 2012 album 'Air Chrysalis'.  In 2012 Morris sang on the Flight of the Conchords’ charity single 'Feel Inside (And Stuff Like That)' which topped the NZ charts for 5 weeks, selling over 35,000 copies. 2013 also saw him perform as principal vocalist in the latest Split Enz 'ENZO - Stranger Than Fiction' extravaganza.  Morris also writes radio jingles for Merlot Place Media and Mediaworks and performs corporate functions as well as live sound engineering gigs for dozens of top NZ bands and artists, including Nathan Haines, Greg Johnson, The Feelers, The Mockers, Finn Andrews and Tami Neilson.   

Ron has played the piano in dance and jazz bands from the age of 15.  When he was 21, he left NZ and spent many years working as a pianist with jazz, pop and rock, and as a hammond organist in London, Paris and New York. 

From 1990 – 2000 Ron was house band pianist in the Park Royal Hotel, Wellington.  He was a music teacher for C.H.I.M.E.S. Lower Hutt, teaching jazz and popular music harmony and chords etc.  A couple of prominent students included Brooke Fraser and Anna Paquin.

He performed with Princess Cruises throughout the world, working in the orchestra as well as smaller groups and as a solo artist before returning to New Zealand in 2012, settling in Auckland.

Apart from teaching, Ron works as a jazz pianist in various venues in and around Auckland and together with a fellow musician, he runs a Jazz club called JAZZnJOE, holding 10 weekends of jazz throughout winter, featuring Auckland’s most prominent jazz musicians, and always enjoys his five week tours each year with Operatunity.   

Rory Nolan is a singer/actor with vast experience in musical theatre.

Rory has toured regularly with Operatunity since 2013, and is currently balancing a singing and acting career whilst practicing as a commercial Barrister in Auckland.

Previous theatre credits include: Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in Phantom of the Opera (2016) (Auckland cast - Amici Productions), a leading role in the concept show Home is Where the Art Is (2016) (Rebel Theatre Company),Sky in Mamma Mia! (2014) (Auckland cast - Amici Productions), The Artilleryman in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds (2012), a leading role in Songs for a New World (2011), and a member of the company in Miss Saigon (2011). 

His film and television credits include: Constable Brent Grant in Westside (2018 - South Pacific Pictures), Michael in The Interns (2017 - TVNZ), Mike Antonovic in Dear Murderer (2016 - Screentime NZ), and Jimmy Taylor in Shortland Street (2014 – South Pacific Pictures).  

Rory has studied the Meisner Acting Technique under Michael Saccente and trained in voice with Robyn Kennerly.  

Russell’s professional theatre career spans 25 years. He has worked on major productions throughout New Zealand and Japan, British touring productions throughout the UK and the Middle East, and most recently playing the comic leading role of ‘Alberto Beddini’ in the triple Olivier Award winning musical Tophat on London’s West End.

His ‘screen credits’ are numerous including three years as the TV3 Weatherman, a celebrity chef for numerous food companies and roles in British & American Movies as well as various TV Shows. 

He recently filmed the movie ‘The Otherside of Heaven 2’ in Fiji, playing the role of Thomas S. Monson which will premiere in the USA in 2019.

Entertainer, Rutene Spooner is a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Musical Theatre. In the final year of his training, Rutene was awarded the position of the 2009/2010 summer intern actor with the professional theatre company, The Court Theatre, in Christchurch. His passion lies in musical theatre however he has been fortunate enough to work professionally throughout New Zealand as a singer, actor and dancer.

Since Graduating, he has been working professionally, touring with various companies like Duffy Theatre Company, NZ Playhouse, Echelon Productions (AUS) and also with Tim Bray Productions based in Auckland.

As a soloist, Rutene has performed to some of New Zealand’s largest audiences. He has featured as a Soloist in TV3s Coca Cola Christmas in the Park and with the likes of the Christchurch Symphony orchestra. He was also a member of the Southern Opera's Solid Energy Ensemble.

Rutene also jumps at the chance to teach. Delivering workshops in Maori Performing Arts, Vocal coaching and Drama. He is delighted to be back, working with the talented team at Operatunity and looks forward to seeing you all once again.

Sharon Emirali is a charismatic singer, entertainer, artist & mother of two. She is one of New Zealand’s sought after vocalists. Sharon's versatility, stage presence & energy exudes into every audience delivering songs full of passion, heart and soul.  Sharon has recently been nominated with her group “Kotahi te Wairua” for the “world” song category at the 2019 Hollywood Music in Media Awards!

I have a true love affair with singing and performing. It all started within the New Zealand Country music scene from the age of 8yrs old:  Mum loooved to dress me up, her sewing machine was overrun from making a new costume for every competition I ever entered and there were a lot!!  Sadly I never continued the art of dressmaking, however, I did master the art of dancing in heels, styling my hair and painting my face before belting out a tune. Dolly Parton was so inspiring to me back then and with her hit song “Coat of Many Colours” I landed a New Zealand title at the age of 10yrs. In 1993 I was plucked from the country music scene by an American manager who threw me into the whirlwind world of pop music.  I released a single with Festival Records that landed a number 8 on the New Zealand charts. Then jumped on tour with Charley Pride, DJ Fontana & The Jordinaires (Elvis Presley’s original Drummer & Backing vocalists), John Rowles and support act for the amazing Tom Jones.

The highlight of my career, to date, is the ability to do what I love, in a variety of ways, with other talented humans.  Especially with our kiwi icons Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke, Annie Crummer, Suzanne Lynch, Frankie Stevens and the epically talented Rikki Morris!! My ability to sing and entertain has allowed me to travel around the world and perform in a variety of shows and events in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Europe, Japan, Rarotonga, Fiji & Papua New Guinea. I have made made TV appearances in Coca Cola Christmas in the park for 6 consecutive years performing to audiences over 200,000.  Netball Fast5 World series, The Halberg Awards.  Fashion week, Cult couture, Queenstown Winter Festival, Rotorua’s Lakeside concerts.  “The Music is Bond” with the Auckland & Christchurch Philharmonic orchestras.  Also a regular supporter and performer at various Hospice & Breast cancer events.

I could go on and tell you about the time I produced a “Burlesque” show and a “James Bond” themed show or that you hear me most times you turn on the radio singing on advertisements and TV shows like Dancing with the Stars but I feel like I have waffled on enough.  Ask me about it when you see me next.  I am very happy to have joined the world of “Operatunity”.

Arohanui 

Stuart is a veteran of the New Zealand Opera Chorus, having done his first production (for then Wellington City Opera) in 1994. At that time he was completing his BMus at Victoria University. Since then he has performed for many other organisations, including Capital E’s National Theatre for Children, Class Act Opera, Operatunity and Stetson Productions. Stuart has never entered any singing competitions, let alone won any prizes, as he believes that his is a talent that cannot be judged by conventional means. He has written and performed in an award winning comedy show, entertained thousands of corporate clients and provided voice-overs for many websites and phone systems.

Most recently he was part of the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Ensemble for the touring productions of Sweeney Todd and The Mikado, and toured schools as the title role in New Zealand Opera’s Don Pasquale.

Suzanne was discovered along with her sister Judy by New Zealand guitarist Peter Posa. The two sisters became regular performers on the New Zealand  television show ‘C’Mon’ in the late 60’s and in 1971 as a soloist, Suzanne was also a regular on the television show ‘Happen In’, having established a name in New Zealand as the blonde member of the popular 60's duo "The Chicks" and then as a solo performer. She travelled to England and soon became one of London’s first call session singers, singing on albums by Chris De Burgh, Art Garfunkel, ShaWaddyWaddy, Cleo Lane, The Walker Brothers and Cat Stevens to name just a few and also performing on tour with Neil Sedaka and Charles Aznavour.  Suzanne performed on many English TV shows including a Lulu Special and a series with Leo Sayer.

Suzanne has been vocal coach for NZ Idol, Stars in Their Eyes, and for New Zealand’s Got Talent. 

Currently Suzanne teaches contemporary vocal technique and stage performance, and is still busy performing as a soloist, and as a member of the well known vocal group “The Ladykillers, with Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke and the The Ladykillers special guest Annie Crummer.

Tainui earned a Bachelor’s Degree (Music Theatre) at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) at the end of 2012. In his final year, he received the degree prize for outstanding achievement in his studies.

Since graduating, Tainui has been in high demand working solidly in various entertainment roles. Musical theatre remains his main focus with shows such as Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast,Cats,The Mikado, The Music Man, Grease, Guys and Dolls and Saturday Night Fever. Tainui is proud to say he has worked for many of New Zealand’s major theatre companies including The Court Theatre and Auckland Theatre Company.

As a soloist, Tainui has sung for DanceSport NZ National Ballroom Championships, Coca Cola Christmas in the Park and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Currently based in Auckland, Tainui is signed with Graham Dunster at Auckland Actors.