Aotearoa New Zealand Opera School

Posted byDeborah Wai KapohePosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , , , , , ,
From left to right: Sharolyn Kimmorley, Emma McClean, and Nikki Li Hartliep. Photos provided by the Aotearoa New Zealand Opera School.

Today’s blog is to say how much I enjoyed watching Nikki Li Hartliep teach at the Aotearoa New Zealand Opera School at the Prince Edward Auditorium, Whanganui Collegiate School, Whanganui, January 2024. Thank you to the school for allowing me to observe the school!

If you have never been to a masterclass before, I urge you to attend. Every year, the public masterclasses at the school are well attended. I think the annual event in Whanganui has created many opera lovers who have gained a greater insight into the development of the human voice from attending this classes. On top of that, the masterclass is really fun!

Nikki Li Hartliep is a Japanese-born American soprano who has performed with major opera companies and orchestras around the world and is a highly-acclaimed vocal teacher. She is a Voice Teacher at The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS). Significantly, she is a Bel Canto singer. There was no doubting the technique and teaching style; Nikki Li was kind, generous, and ‘hands on’ as these photos show. 

The student in these pictures is young soprano Emma McClean. I was so happy for Emma when Nikki Li adjusted her alignment by using the simple method of sitting on a chair. As these photos show, Emma appears relaxed and attractive when she sings. I could hear Emma’s voice bloom when the alignment was adjusted. (Nikki Li worked wonders with every stunning young singing student she taught but I have focussed on Nikki Li and Emma for this blog so as to keep the length of this blog manageable).

Seated at the piano is Sharolyn Kimmorley. Sharolyn is regarded as one of Australia’s finest vocal coaches and accompanists. The second photo below also includes the wonderful Donald Trott, founder of the Aotearoa New Zealand Opera School.

Thank you to the Aotearoa New Zealand Opera School for providing these photos. A picture paints a thousand words. Accordingly, I leave it to the pictures to speak for me.

Oh yes, one more thing, I have attached a copy of the Melba Method. If you have time, please take a look in the opening pages where the late Dame Nellie Melba discusses (with her wonderful sense of humour) alignment and appearance. 

Sharolyn Kimmorley, Nikki Li Hartliep and Donald Trott

 #aotearoanzoperaschool 

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Published by Deborah Wai Kapohe

I am a professional classical singer with strong crossover ability. I have been in the music business since my graduation from University in 1994. In addition to singing, I have been trained to a high level in classical guitar and brass. My guitar playing enables me to self accompany; I perform professionally as a self-accompanied singer. My brass playing facilitates my playing of Taonga Puoro (traditional Māori instruments). I have begun to focus on my YouTube channel now that my studio is full. I have called this channel 'The Complete Singer' because I am not only a singer, but also a teacher and singer-songwriter; I write songs professionally as well as for relaxation. I believe that old fashioned singing techniques, developed over hundreds of years in Italy, should form the foundation of good singing. I practice exercises daily from books written by Garcia, Marchesi and Melba. In addition to these exercises, I add modern singing exercises. Therefore, this forms the basis of my teaching.

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