Semi Finalists and International Head Judge revealed for the 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest
Twelve outstanding young singers have been named semi-finalists in the 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. This will be the first time in its illustrious 70-year history that the iconic Song Quest bears the name of New Zealand’s most famous opera singer, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Widely regarded as the launchpad for New Zealand’s leading operatic talent, the Song Quest has championed emerging singers since 1956.
The semi-finalists will compete under the discerning ear of internationally acclaimed American mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, who joins this milestone year as International Head Judge.
The semi-finalists are (alphabetically):
– Samuel Downes (tenor) – A 29-year-old Auckland-born singer now based in London, he is a Harewood Artist with English National Opera supported by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. A graduate of the University of Auckland with First Class Honours, he has developed through the New Zealand Opera Chorus, NZ Opera School, and international conservatory training. He performs leading operatic roles across Europe and continues to build an emerging international career in opera and concert repertoire.
– Jack Doyle (countertenor) – From Auckland, the 22-year-old will commence a Master of Performance in Vocal Studies at the Royal College of Music in London this year. A University of Auckland graduate, Jack studied with Morag Atchison and Te Oti Rakena. Formerly a baritone, he performs with NZ Opera Chorus and NZ Youth Choir, has toured internationally, and won major competitions including the Nicholas Tarling Aria.
– Holly Evans (soprano) – From Ōtautahi Christchurch, 26-year-old Holly holds a Master of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland, following degrees in Music and Commerce from Canterbury. She has performed with Auckland Philharmonia and New Zealand Opera, appeared in opera and musical theatre roles, earned competition accolades, featured as a soprano soloist, and will begin postgraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester this year.
– Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono (baritone) – A 29-year-old Samoan‑New Zealand baritone from Flaxmere, Hastings, Alfred comes from a musical family and undertook his training at the University of Waikato and Te Pae Kōkako – The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS). A New Zealand Opera Company Artist and Creative New Zealand award recipient, he has performed widely in opera and concert, sung leading roles, won major competitions, and is dedicated to community outreach while aspiring to an international career. Alfred was selected as a Semi-Finalist in the 2024 Lexus Song Quest.
– Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono (baritone) – A 26-year-old Samoan–New Zealand baritone from Flaxmere, Hastings, he is currently completing Advanced Opera Studies at Waikato through TANZOS under Nikki-Li Hartliep. He began singing in church and has performed widely with New Zealand Opera and Festival Opera, in leading and chorus roles, and in quartet Alofa. A competition finalist and scholarship recipient, he will continue studies at the Royal College of Music, London.
– Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono (tenor) – A 25-year-old Samoan-New Zealand singer from Flaxmere, Hastings, he began singing in church before studying at the University of Waikato, graduating with First Class Honours and a Master’s in Advanced Performance and Opera Studies. A TANZOS artist and NZ Opera School alumnus, he has performed major operatic roles and concert solos, won leading competition prizes, and now seeks international artist development opportunities.
– Catherine Hooper (soprano) – A graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, 31-year-old Catherine previously studied Classics, English, and Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at St Andrews and Cambridge. She has since joined leading UK and European young artist programmes, including Opera Prelude and the Wexford Factory. A versatile soprano, she performs major operatic roles, recitals, and oratorio, and is a competition prize-winner.
– Samuel Mataele (countertenor) – An 18-year-old countertenor from Auckland, hailed as one of New Zealand’s most promising young singers, won the 2025 Nicholas Tarling Junior Aria and Most Outstanding Talent award. He has earned multiple competition prizes, performed major Handel and Bach roles with leading ensembles, and studies Music and Psychology at the University of Auckland.
– Samuel McKeever (bass-baritone) – Originally from Hastings, 29-year old Samuel has a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance), graduating with First Class Honours in 2021 from Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington. He went on to study as a 2024/2025 artist at TANZOS training under Nikki Li Hartliep. In 2024 Samuel was selected as a semi-finalist for the Lexus Song Quest. His most recent stage history includes the title role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (Festival Opera 2025) and Count Ribbing in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera (Wellington Opera 2025).
– Sarah Mileham (soprano) – A 23-year-old soprano from Tauranga, now based in Hamilton, Sarah completed Classical Performance studies at Victoria University of Wellington and Waikato University, graduating with First Class Honours. Training with Nikki Li Hartliep, she has debuted with New Zealand Opera in major roles and toured nationally. A multiple competition winner and NZ Opera School alumna, she continues to build an international career.
– Cecily Shaw (mezzo-soprano) – From Stratford, Taranaki, 32-year-old Cecily studied voice at the University of Waikato before completing a master’s at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where she now continues the Opera Course with a scholarship. She performs opera, oratorio, and recitals across the UK and New Zealand, with roles in Mozart, Handel, and contemporary works. A prize winner and Guildhall alumna, she is also active in creative performance projects and advocacy for neurodivergent artists.
– Ridge Ponini (tenor) – Originally from Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and the first born-and-raised Cook Islander to pursue a professional opera career, 30-year-old Ridge holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) from Otago and a Master’s in Advanced Opera Studies from Waikato, and trained with TANZOS. A prize-winning performer and New Zealand Opera alumnus, he has toured nationally in principal and chorus roles, performed widely in oratorio and opera, and is now preparing for further international training and engagements.
Ridge was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Lexus Song Quest.
Spanning a wide range of voice types, this year’s semi-finalists highlight the depth of operatic talent in Aotearoa and, for the first time in the competition’s history, includes three brothers competing side by side.
Commenting on the semi-finalist selection – made by preliminary judges, former Song Quest winner and New Zealand baritone Phillip Rhodes, and soprano Joanna Foote – from a field of 31 exceptional applicants, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa said: “Since my own time in the Song Quest, I’ve always seen it as a true test of both talent and endurance. The ongoing pressure is what makes it such a unique challenge, where character is tested alongside vocal ability. The judges have done well narrowing the field to 12 semi-finalists, and the winner and runners-up will be decided at the Grand Final Gala on 11 July. I wish all the singers the very best for the journey ahead.”
New Zealanders will be able to track the journey of these elite young opera singers as they vie for the country’s most prestigious classical singing award and a share of $95,500 in prizes.
The 12 semi-finalists will perform their chosen repertoire with official pianist Terence Dennis before the International Head Judge, Frederica von Stade, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July at St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington.
One of the most beloved mezzo-sopranos of her generation, Frederica von Stade is celebrated for her expressive artistry, warmth, and enduring contribution to classical music. Affectionately known as “Flicka,” she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1970 and went on to perform more than 300 times with the company, earning particular acclaim for roles such as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier. Her distinguished career has taken her to leading opera houses worldwide, including Teatro alla Scala, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera, and the Paris Opera, as well as major American companies. In concert, she has collaborated with eminent conductors and orchestras across the globe.
From the semi-finalists, von Stade will select six finalists to perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Brad Cohen at the Grand Final Gala at the Michael Fowler Centre on Saturday 11 July, where the winner will be announced live. Public ticket sales open Tuesday 12 May.
Find out more about the 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest semi-finalists and follow their journey at www.songquest.nz
Photo: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Songquest 2026 Head Judge Frederica von Stade
