During the School, our tutors select students to earn Awards donated by our supporters and benefactors. We are so grateful for the generosity of our Award Sponsors.
DAME MALVINA MAJOR FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The New Zealand Opera School Trustees and staff were delighted when the Dame Malvina Major Foundation created the DMMF Scholarship Award to be presented to a student at the conclusion of each January residential school.
The principal tutors observe the students during the School assessing their vocal ability, acting capabilities, languages and plans for the future and general presentation.
The selected student of this prestigious award receives $7,500 donated by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.
The 2025 recipient of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Scholarship is Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono (tenor).
DAME SISTER MARY LEO FOUNDATION AWARD
The Dame Sister Mary Leo Foundation Award is presented to a runner up of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Scholarship Award. As a tutor of Dame Malvina Major, the Dame Sister Mary Leo Award is a special award given each year at the NZ Opera School.
The selected student receives $3,000 donated by the Dame Sister Mary Leo Foundation.
The 2025 recipient of the Dame Sister Mary Leo Foundation Award is Olivia Forbes (soprano).
THE ‘MERLE HIGGIE OPERA PRIZE FOR POTENTIAL’
This Award was established by Janis Higgie, daughter of the late Merle Higgie. Merle was an avid supporter of the work of the NZ Opera School and for years a regular attender at the School’s public events. The adjudication for this award is the student showing the most promise during the fortnight residential course.
The selected student receives $3,000 donated by Janis Higgie.
The 2025 recipient of the Merle Higgie Opera Prize for Potential is Emma Jones (soprano).
DONALD TROTT SCHOLARSHIP
A new award for 2025 is the Donald Trott Scholarship which is awarded to the student who the principal tutors believe would most benefit from attending the New Zealand Opera School the following year. The recipient receives a sponsored place at the School to assist with their operatic development.
The 2025 recipient of the inaugural Donald Trott Scholarship is Jack Doyle (counter-tenor).
BRYAN WYNESS ‘SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL’
In memory of the late Capt. Bryan Wyness, former Chair of the NZ Opera School Trust, the Spirit of the Opera School prize is presented to the student who, during the course of the School, displays the all-round spirit of hard work, consideration and encouragement of fellow students, as well as a positive attitude at all times. This award is voted for by the staff and students of the School.
An engraved miniature hand-blown glass trophy created by Katie Brown is presented to the student with $500.
The 2025 recipient of the Bryan Wyness Spirit of the School was Scott Bezett.