At the heart of NYOA is a dedicated team of artists, educators, and industry professionals who are passionate about nurturing the next generation of opera talent in Aotearoa. Together, we bring years of experience across performance, teaching, and production, creating a supportive environment where young singers and musicians can learn, grow, and thrive. Our team is united by a shared belief in excellence, collaboration, and the power of opera to inspire communities.
National Youth Opera Aotearoa (NYOA) was founded by the team behind Project Prima Volta (PPV) and Festival Opera, building on a decade of experience nurturing young voices and producing world-class opera in Aotearoa. Drawing on this strong foundation, NYOA provides a dedicated national platform for the next generation of artists - combining the proven training model of PPV with the professional performance standards of Festival Opera to create a unique pathway from education to stage.
Our People
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José Aparicio
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
José sets the artistic vision for the company, bringing with him a rare breadth of experience as an internationally trained flautist, opera singer, and conductor. Now focused on the podium, he relishes the chance to draw on this multi-dimensional knowledge to shape music and drama as a unified whole. His leadership as part of the creative team ensures each production becomes a vivid, fully realised world for both artists and audiences.
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Anna Pierard
FOUNDER
Anna is an internationally trained mezzo soprano, an active performer, and founder of National Youth Opera Aotearoa. Through her leadership of the Prima Volta Charitable Trust, she is intentionally designing training pathways that reflect the profession as it is today, ensuring young singers are equipped for the world beyond the rehearsal room. Her artistic practice also embraces the transformative power of breathwork, exploring how voice and embodiment can extend opera’s reach to new audiences and unexpected places.
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Alice Sip
FOUNDER
Alice thrives on the creative energy that comes from every aspect of music-making — whether performing, playing in the pit, supporting from the side of the stage, or engaging in the day-to-day work that keeps projects alive. An internationally trained orchestral musician, she views the industry through a unique entrepreneurial lens. Bold and opportunity-focused, Alice is a proven leader, accomplished musician, mother, wife, entrepreneur, and business owner. She sees no barriers and is committed to creating equitable conditions for the development of our talented rangatahi. Her vision for National Youth Opera Aotearoa, and for the future of opera singers in Aotearoa, brings fresh momentum and excitement to the team and to the kaupapa of NYOA.
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Lila Lj Crichton
OUTREACH LEAD
Lila is a dynamic tenor whose artistry is grounded in both classical opera and contemporary Pasifika storytelling. A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music, he has performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music New Zealand, and Festival Opera, as well as creating his own immersive work A Master of None: Brown Fala for the 2025 NZ Fringe Festival. A Project Prima Volta graduate and mentor with the Prima Volta Charitable Trust, Lila now joins National Youth Opera Aotearoa as Outreach Lead. He finds joy and meaning in working with tamariki through outreach, bringing his passion for music and community into every project.