None of what happens inside the school — the long days of learning, the breakthroughs, the confidence built step by step — would be possible without the support behind the scenes. We are sincerely grateful to Creative New Zealand for backing the New Zealand Opera School and helping make this level of training, access, and opportunity possible for emerging opera artists across Aotearoa. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #CreativeNZ

Two weeks of full immersion: voice, language, movement, character — and the courage to go deeper. Fa’amanu Fonoti-Fuimaono brought focus, heart, and growth into every class and onto the stage. This is what dedicated work in a true operatic whānau looks like! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Whanganui #Aotearoa

Preparation meets possibility. Through intensive coaching, performance opportunities, and time with world-class tutors, Soprano Sarah Mileham used her time at NZOS 206 to sharpen focus, deepen artistry, and take confident steps toward what comes next in her career. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Whanganui #Aotearoa

New repertoire, new tools, new confidence. Millie Trustum's NZOS 2026 journey was about stepping outside the comfort zone — exploring character, movement, and voice in an environment built for growth and trust. Well done, Millie! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Whanganui #Aotearoa

⭐Mezzo Cadence Chung ⭐ From classes to the stage, Cadence Chung embraced every opportunity NZOS 2026 had to offer — refining her craft, connecting with peers and mentors alike and culminating with her brilliant bellboy role in the Great Opera Moments! 👏 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Whanganui #Aotearoa

We extend our sincere thanks to The New Zealand Opera Foundation Trust for its ongoing support of the New Zealand Opera School and the next generation of opera artists in Aotearoa. We also acknowledge Chairman John Meads for his leadership and commitment. Support like this helps ensure young singers are given the opportunity to train, grow, and take their place on stages here and around the world. 📸Karen Hughes #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #GreatOperaMoments

The NZOS attended the PM’s State of the Nation event in Auckland at the NZ International Convention Centre. This is an election year and we want to ensure the Arts, Music and Culture Sectors are being represented and heard 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ Thanks Team ❤️ #nzos2026 #elections #nz

Before the lights came up and the first note was sung, there was this moment. Quiet focus. Nervous energy. Last-minute details checked and re-checked. Encouraging words, deep breaths, shared smiles. Backstage at Great Opera Moments was where weeks of work finally settled into something real. This was the part the audience didn’t always see — a whole whānau moving as one, supporting each other, trusting the process, and stepping forward together for that final performance. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #GreatOperaMoments 📸Grateful to Karen Hughes for these candid snaps

We also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Whanganui District Council for their generous support of the New Zealand Opera School and Whanganui Opera Week 2026. Their backing plays a vital role in enabling Whanganui to become a national hub for opera each January — welcoming young artists, international tutors, and audiences from across Aotearoa. This partnership helps ensure that world-class music-making continues to thrive in our region, enriching the cultural life of the community and creating opportunities for the next generation of performers. We are grateful for the Council’s ongoing commitment to arts, education, and the cultural heartbeat of Whanganui. #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #OperaTraining #Whanganui

As we look back on an unforgettable NZOS 2026, one thing is absolutely clear: none of this would have been possible without the Freemasons Foundation. From the early morning classes to the final curtain call at Great Opera Moments, their long-standing commitment to nurturing young New Zealand opera singers made every step of this journey possible. Their support helps turn potential into progress, ambition into opportunity, and hard work into moments that stay with our students for life. We are deeply grateful to the Freemasons Foundation for standing alongside the New Zealand Opera School, year after year, and for investing in the future of opera in Aotearoa. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #FreemasonsFoundation 📸 Karen Hughes

The curtain may have come down on the New Zealand Opera School 2026, but the story is far from over. These moments — captured just after the awards ceremony — are full of pride, relief, joy, and quiet excitement for what lies ahead. A beautiful way to close an extraordinary fortnight in Whanganui. Over the coming days, we’ll be sharing highlights from the week: the people, the music, the learning, the laughter, and the moments that made this year’s School so special. Stay with us — there’s so much to celebrate! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining

Already thinking about 2027 with Nicola Williams ❤️ Last coffee ☕️ before Jack & Mrs Bourke leave for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 🙋‍♂️ #nzos2027 #summer #whanganui