Nōu te atamira | The stage is yours

NYOA 2026 SEASON FACULTY

  • Lada Valešová

    SPECIALIST REPERTOIRE & VOICE COACH (JAN)

  • Neil Baker

    VOICE TEACHER (JAN)

  • José Aparicio

    CONDUCTOR | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

  • John Wilkie

    STAGE DIRECTOR, STAGE CRAFT

  • Madeleine Pierard

    PROFESSIONAL OPERA SINGER | MENTOR (APRIL)

Step onto the stage.

NYOA offers three dynamic programmes — Young Artist, Chorus, and Orchestra — designed to challenge, inspire, and launch the next generation of opera talent. Whether you’re a singer stepping into your first professional rehearsal, a young artist preparing for a career on the world stage, or an orchestral musician bringing the music to life, you’ll receive world-class training, be coached by leading professionals, and be part of extraordinary productions across the year.

  • Emerging opera singers aged 18–25

    Annual Programme with three intensive blocks

    January 19 - 31, 2026 (Hawke’s Bay)

    Opera-in-concert with Chorus Programme & orchestra, ensemble training, and Recitative performance

    April 11 - 18, 2026 (Waikato)

    Role preparation, language coaching, and ensemble development

    August 24 - Sept 6, 2026 (Hawke’s Bay)

    Fully staged opera (Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro) with orchestra and creative team

    Training Includes:

    Vocal coaching

    Language and interpretation

    Stagecraft and movement

    Professional development and industry preparation

    Performance Opportunities: Public Concerts, Fully Staged Opera, Educational Outreach and collaborations with NYOA Chorus & Orchestra

  • Singers aged 16–25

    January Intensive (19th - 31st, Hawke’s Bay)

    Choral and ensemble singing within a professional opera rehearsal environment

    Training Includes:

    Individual coaching & masterclasses

    Ensemble technique and blend

    Language and diction

    Stage movement and presence

    Collaboration with Young Artist Programme singers and tutors

    Performance Opportunity: Opera-in-concert alongside YAP artists with full orchestra

  • Orchestral Instrumentalists aged 18 –25

    Annual Programme with two intensive blocks

    Selected through video audition, players come together for intensive rehearsals with the conductor and cast, gaining high-level ensemble experience before performing to public audiences in both seasons.

    January 27 - 31, 2026 (Hawke’s Bay)

    Opera-in-concert with Chorus & YAP Programme, ensemble and educational outreach training

    September 2 - 6, 2026 (Hawke’s Bay)

    Fully staged opera (Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro) with full cast and creative team

    Training Includes:

    Ensemble coaching for opera

    Professional development and industry preparation

    Performance Opportunities: Public Concerts, Fully Staged Opera, Educational Outreach and other collaborations with NYOA Chorus & YAP

AUDITION FOR NYOA

Nōu te atamira | The stage is yours |

Nōu te atamira | The stage is yours |

2026 National Youth Opera Aotearoa

  • JAN 19-31 2026 | Hawke’s Bay

    NYOA launches the year in Hawke’s Bay with an intensive Opera-in-concert project bringing together Young Artist Programme singers and the Chorus. Over two weeks, participants work with leading tutors in daily rehearsals, coaching, and stagecraft, culminating in 2 public performances that set the tone for the season.

  • APR 11-18 2026 | Waikato

    The Young Artist Programme gathers for a focused week of coaching, role preparation, community engagement, industry workshops and rehearsal. This intensive builds on the foundations of January’s, refining interpretation, performance skills and deepening industry knowledge in a close-knit, creative environment.

  • AUG 24-SEP 6 | Hawke’s Bay

    Back in Hawke’s Bay, the Young Artist Programme stages a full production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Over two weeks, artists work with the full creative team through staging, rehearsals, and orchestra calls, culminating in a fully staged public season.