New Zealand Opera Star Heads to Europe After Waikato university Training

Hamilton, New Zealand – Emerging opera talent, James Wallbank, a graduate of The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera School (TANZOS) at the University of Waikato, is poised to launch his international career in Europe. The Flaxmere native, nurtured by the Hawke’s Bay music program Project Prima Volta (PPV), joins a growing list of successful singers from the region, including the Fonoti-Fuimaono brothers – Fa’amanu, Alfred, Jordan, and Emmanuel.

Wallbank’s journey to the opera stage wasn’t traditional.He initially struggled in his teenage years but found positive outlets in rugby and boxing. A pivotal moment came with an invitation to join a barbershop quartet, sparking his interest in vocal performance. This led to coaching through PPV, a programme dedicated to developing musical talent in hawke’s Bay.

Last year, Wallbank completed a Master of Music in Advanced Opera Studies at TANZOS, a highly competitive program known for it’s rigorous training and international connections. The program’s recent activities include auditions in Sydney, Australia, providing students with valuable exposure. He’s now preparing to immerse himself in the heart of European opera, specifically Italy, where he has already begun studying the language.

Wallbank’s upcoming performances will place him in the footsteps of legendary Italian opera singers. His success story highlights the impact of programs like PPV and TANZOS in identifying and cultivating New Zealand’s burgeoning operatic talent. The University of Waikato’s Opera School,established in 1999,has a strong track record of producing internationally recognized performers.

– RNZ

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