Natasha Te Rupe Wilson (Te Arawa, Ngā Puhi), soprano, has a Bachelor of Music, (Honours,
first-class), majoring in classical vocal performance, from the University of Auckland. From
2018 – 2019, Natasha was based in San Francisco, where she completed her Post-Graduate
Diploma in Vocal Studies, at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, under the tutelage of
César Ulloa.
Natasha made her professional debut with New Zealand Opera, and was a Dame Malvina
Major Emerging Artist with the company in 2018. Natasha was a member of the Kiri Te
Kanawa Foundation’s mentoring programme in 2016, and has been supported by the
foundation ever since.
Natasha was recently based in Pittsburgh, PA, as a 2019/20 Resident Artist with Pittsburgh
Opera. Natasha made her United States, mainstage debut, with Pittsburgh Opera, as Rosalba,
in their 2019 production of Catan’s, Florencia en el Amazonas. Natasha also played the role
of Morgana, in the company’s 2020 production of Handel’s, Alcina.
Throughout 2021, Natasha has been performing throughout New Zealand, performing the
role of Lisa, for Days Bay Opera’s La Sonnambula, and Purea, in the world premiere of Tim
Finn’s, Ihitai ‘Avei’a – Star Navigator, with New Zealand Opera. Most recently, Natasha
performed the role of Zerlina, in Wellington Opera’s production of Mozart’s, Don Giovanni,
as well as the role of Marzelline, in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s concert
performance of Beethoven’s, Fidelio.
See our feature on Benson’s hugely successful career since his days in the NZSSC.
See our feature on Clinton’s time with NZSSC and career development since then.
New Zealand baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and studied with David Harper.
For Opera Australia he has sung Dandini, Count Almaviva, Demetrius, Escamillo, Guglielmo, Belcore, Harlekin, Don Giovanni, Billy Budd and Méphistophélès. He has also performed with the opera houses of San Francisco, Philadelphia, Austin, Washington, Houston, Dallas, Cincinnati, Santa Fe, Munich, Hamburg and Leipzig, and for Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Chatelet Theatre Paris and Theater an der Wien. His many recordings include DVDs of Peter Grimes (EMI) and Carmen (Deutsche Grammophon) from the Metropolitan Opera.
Lyric Soprano, Madeleine Pierard began her musical life as a pianist and chorister in Napier, New Zealand and later as a member of The New Zealand Youth Choir, The Tudor Consort and Voices New Zealand.
Ruby began learning music at a young age, playing the piano and discovering her love for choral singing as a member of Cantala at Wellington East Girls’ College. Ruby has gone on to sing with multiple groups, including The Wellington Youth Choir since 2022.
Following completion of her BCom in accounting and commercial law at Victoria University in 2020, Ruby works as a business advisory consultant and has recently become a chartered accountant.
Courtney holds an MMus with Distinction in Conducting from UC, complementing her BMus(Hons) in Performance Voice and a BA in German and Linguistics from Otago. Her love of singing began in primary school and she earned her ABRSM Diploma at 16. She has since featured as a soloist with the Nelson Symphony Orchestra, Opera Otago, Octagon Ensemble, Christchurch Opera Club, City Choir Dunedin, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Jubilate Singers and Risingholme Orchestra.
Her musical endeavours extend beyond singing; Courtney directs choirs (UC’s Consortia, Harmony Singers, Schola Cantorum), vocal coaches, and offers private tuition. Recognised with the J.M.W. Speirs Memorial Prize in Choral Conducting during her time in Dunedin, she directed the Southern Youth Choir and the Selwyn College Choirs and served as Director of Music at All Saints’. Courtney is an adept violinist and composer and is also a sought-after relief teacher, tutors music theory and ensemble at the University of Canterbury, and is an adjudicator at local vocal and arts competitions.
Catherine can be found learning from and supporting Kate at Hobsonville choir, and also as a key member of the team at some of our bigger events.
She is founding Musical Director of Gloriana, the girls’ choir at Mt Albert Grammar School. 2023 has seen her undertaking a year of Choral Conducting study with the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy under Dr Karen Grylls.
Despite having a lifelong relationship with music, her first career choice was Occupational Therapy, which she practised both in New Zealand and the UK. In 2016, she moved to explore all things musical, completing an ATCL in Performance Piano in 2018, and is currently working towards an ATCL in Performance Singing, studying under Fay McNeil.
Catherine’s work facilitating musical engagement was recognised by the Institute of Registered Music Teachers, which awarded her Affiliate Membership in 2018. She has been Chairperson and event organiser at the West Auckland Performing Arts Competitions since 2016, and worked in a variety of roles for Trinity College of Music. She is currently on the committee for Auckland Art Song and Lieder, where she is a regular performer.
TRUSTEE SINCE 2024
Gina Rogers is a Communications Executive based in Wellington. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English and Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications in Journalism. Gina worked as a programme editor and journalist for IRN, TVNZ and RNZ in New Zealand and CNBC Europe and BBC World in the UK. She has since managed communications for NZ On Air and the New Zealand Film Commission and is General Manager Communications at IHC New Zealand. She is a Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and enjoys music and the arts.
