The Foundation supports emerging artists in various ways. Funds are given through various programmes and are not generally given directly to individuals. Discretionary grants are occasionally awarded. See News item on Kirsten Simpson.

NBR New Zealand Opera PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists

The main focus of Foundation sponsorship is through this programme. Co-ordinated and administered by NBR New Zealand Opera, the programme offers a unique opportunity for young artists to work with professionals in the opera industry to develop the skills required to prepare for a career in opera. They receive regular tuition from Dame Malvina. Up to five emerging artists are selected annually and since 2000 many singers have gone on to have international training, successes and careers.

Five former Emerging Artists return to the opera company for the 2006 season, performing in roles across the company's three productions.

James Harrison (2000 Emerging Artist), Phillip Rhodes (2004), Carla Parry (2003), Kristen Darragh (2004) and Malcolm Ede (2005), all spent a year as Emerging Artists with NBR New Zealand Opera.  Now they return as professional performers on the cusp of their careers.

For further information and how to apply, visit: http://www.nzopera.com/

2007/2008 Young Artist

PwC Dame Malvina Major Young Artist (YA)

WADE KERNOT, bass West Aucklander Wade Kernot has appeared in many operas and as soloist in many concert performances around New Zealand.  He was a founding member of Opera Factory.  In 2004 he was a PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist and winner of the Circle100 Scholarship.  He moved to Perth in 2005 to take up a principal position with the Australian Opera Studio, where his roles included Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte and Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte. Recently Wade has performed for the Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden, Germany.  He sang the bass role in Stravinsky's Pulcinella.

2007/2008 Emerging Artists

PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists (EA)

HADLEIGH ADAMS, bass baritone Palmerston North-born Hadleigh pursued vocal training at the University of Auckland and is now studying at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. He has performed several leading roles with Opera Factory and sings regularly with the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus. Recent performances include as bass soloist in Fauré's Requiem and Bach's Magnificat for Musica Sacra.
BARBARA GRAHAM, soprano Barbara grew up learning ballet, drama and piano, and is in the third year of Performance Voice at Victoria University.  Her prizes include the VB Lieder Prize at the National Singing School in 2005. She is a member of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus has sung a number of solo roles in opera and choral concerts and in oratorio. This year she sang the role of Cupid in Boutique Opera's King Arthur and has also sung the role of Jenny Diver in NZSM's production of Polly.
MICHAEL GRAY, tenor Michael has just graduated with a first-class Honours degree in music, specialising in Performance Voice studying with Isabel Cunningham, alongside a BCom from Otago University.  He placed second in the 2006 Otago Daily Times Aria Competition and debuted in June as Pish-Tush for the RAGSPT Season of The Mikado.  Michael has performed in both the Marama Hall and First Church Lunchtime Concert Series and was also the bass section leader of the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir.
JULIA HILL, soprano Canadian-born Julia is a member of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus in Auckland.  She studied under David Griffiths at Waikato University and is working towards an Honours Degree in Performance Voice as a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar.  Her recent engagements include performing the world premiere of Griffith's opera 'The White Lady', a national tour with Cellophonics, and soloist with the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra. Read more about Julia Hill
MATTHEW LANDRETH, baritone Matthew is from South Otago and has travelled in North America as a Member of the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir. He sang the lead role in Opera Otago's production of Salieri's Falstaff in 2006 and in Iolanthe in 2005. He was a semi-finalist in the 2005 Lexus Song Quest and won the 2004 Otago Daily Times Aria Competition. His sporting involvements have included basketball, cricket, rugby and running.
BARBARA PATERSON, soprano United States-born soprano Barbara is a member of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus in Wellington.  Barbara placed first-equal in the Lieder Section and placed third in the Recital Class of the 2007 Nelson Performing Arts Competition, as well as in the Ramon Opie Memorial Aria Competition in 2006.  She recently sang the role of Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti, a production of the Not in My Back Yard company; next year she will sing Fox in NIMBY's The Cunning Little Vixen.  She also sings with the Anon vocal ensemble.  Before beginning serious vocal training, Barbara trained for a career as a dancer and can still be found in a ballet studio in her spare time.

Past Emerging Artists

2006: David Kelly, Catherine Norton, Rachelle Pike, Sarah-Ann Walker

2005: Paloma Bruce, Rebecca Crabtree, Malcolm Ede, Sarah Wood

2004: Kristen Darragh, Andrew Glover, Wade Kernot, Phillip Rhodes

2003: Stephanie Bain, Seamus Casey, Sarah McOnie, Carla Parry, Elaine Wogan

2002: Seamus Casey, Andrew Conley, Sarah-Jane Rennie, Emma Sloman

2001: Andrew Conley, Joanna Heslop, Helen Lear, Todd Mohi, April-Marie Neho

2000: Penny Davis, James Harrison, Joanna Heslop, James Meng, Brendon Mercer, Wendy Dawn Thompson