Meet the NZ Opera School 2027 International Vocal Tutors

César Ulloa, San Francisco

As an internationally acclaimed voice instructor, César served for many years as Chair of the Voice Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he taught since 2006, receiving the Sarlo Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. For 19 years he was a voice instructor for the San Francisco Opera Center Merola and Adler programs, and was honored with the Exemplary Service Award from the Merola Opera Program in 2025.

He has led young artist programs for the International Vocal Arts Institute in Israel, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, China and Italy and his students perform at many of the world’s leading opera houses. As a professional tenor, César performed over fifty roles during a 15-year career. 2027 will be César’s third visit to the NZ Opera School. A master teacher in every sense.

Roxane Hislop, Melbourne

An award-winning mezzo-soprano with over 80 operatic roles to her name, Roxane brings four decades of performance and teaching to the NZ Opera School. She has appeared with every major Opera company and Symphony orchestra in Australia and currently teaches at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne. Roxane has sat on adjudication panels for the Herald Sun Aria, the Lexus Song Quest, and numerous other major competitions across Australia and beyond. We are delighted to welcome Roxane to her first NZ Opera School.

Julien Van Mellaerts, Paris

Based in Paris, Julien is a multi-award-winning New Zealand baritone, winner of both the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition and the Kathleen Ferrier Awards, and New Zealand’s representative at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2019.

Before moving to Paris, Julien taught at the Royal College of Music and was Professor of English song. Recipient of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Laureate 2024, Julien has performed regularly at the Salzburg Mozartwoche, Verbier Festival, Opera Holland Park and throughout Europe. He recently performed Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro with New Zealand Opera. Julien joins us for the first time at the NZ Opera School this January.