Elisabeth Harris Voice Studio

Harris Studios: Voice & Piano Lessons

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Considered one of New Zealand’s most promising young mezzo sopranos, Elisabeth Harris is a dynamic and engaging performer successfully pursuing a dual operatic career in the United States and her home country. Ms Harris is a recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a Master’s of Music degree under the tutelage of Professor Shirley Close. Previous operatic credits include: La Clemenza di Tito (Annio); Emmeline (Aunt Hannah); Così fan tutte (Dorabella); La Cenerentola (Tisbe); Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino); Eugene Onegin (Madame Larina); Die Fledermaus (Prince Orlofsky); Dido and Aeneas (Witch I), and partial roles in Gianni Schicchi (Zita), Falstaff (Mrs Meg Page), and Iphigénie (Iphigénie, cover). On the concert platform, Ms Harris has performed as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; Auckland Choral; Orchestra Wellington; the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra; Napier Civic Choir; and the Kāpiti Chamber Choir in works including: Handel’s Messiah; Beethoven Symphony No. 9; the Mozart Requiem; Haydn’s Paukenmesse; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Donizetti’s Messa Di Requiem; Schumann’s Requiem; Brahm’s Liebeslieder Waltzes and Bach’s B Minor Mass. In July 2019, Ms Harris made her debut with the Martina Arroyo Foundation in New York as Prince Orlofsky in their production of Die Fledermaus.

Likened to the ‘great ones’ such as Tatiana Troyanos and Kathleen Ferrier, "Elisabeth’s tremendously rich voice, within which she moves with consummate ease throughout her substantial vocal range," has also been widely recognised on the competition circuit.

In 2016, Ms Harris was awarded First Place in the Dame Malvina Major Aria competition in Christchurch; she received the 2014‘Runner Up’ Award for the Dame Malvina Major Aria in Wellington; and was a 2016 finalist for the New Zealand Aria Competition in Rotorua. Ms Harris is a recipient of a Dame Malvina Major Canterbury Arts Excellence Award and wishes to gratefully acknowledge the significant support of the Foundation for its ongoing role nurturing her vocal career.

Ms Harris has been an experienced chorus member with the New Zealand Opera company; is an accomplished actor, notably performing the roles of Ophelia and Emilia; and has considerable experience as a conductor, musical director and private voice & piano teacher. Recent engagements include: the role of Annio in the Bronx Opera’s Production of La Clemenza di Tito; performing as a soloist in the Gateway Classical Music Society’s Fifteenth Anniversary benefit concert; Handel’s Messiah with the Christchurch City Choir and Symphony Orchestra; and reprising her award winning role of Orlofsky with Opera Project Columbus.

Teaching Philosophy

I am a qualified classically trained singer who has had considerable teaching experience across a huge range of genres and styles over the past fifteen years. It is my intention to provide all my pupils with valuable, technical knowledge and information so that they can reach their full vocal potential and be empowered to eventually become problem solvers themselves. I am a strong believer that pupils thrive and grow in a positive environment, so my lessons are conducted in a safe, fun and memorable manner, in which the pupil can thrive and develop not only vocally, but also in terms of confidence and general musicianship. I also advocate the concept of the singing actor, in which the body, voice and whole person are nourished and mobilized to produce a unique vocal tone and a full, rich, agile sound.

My previous teaching experience includes includes establishing and operating a highly successful private voice and piano studio, working with a huge range of students from the ages of 5-66; on staff as a voice and piano teacher for the Encore School of Music; and a position as the Conductor and Musical Director of the Home-Schoolers’ Choir for the Christchurch Primary Schools’ Music Festival.

I have successfully prepared pupils for their Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College London singing examinations; for middle and high school voice assessments; and also for auditions.

Drawing upon my own wealth of experience, I incorporate the Bel Canto Italianate style of beautiful, smooth vocal production throughout the entire range with the key physiological elements and technical principles to provide an holistic approach to singing. I am adept at imparting all the key aspects required for vocal longevity so I will work on a range of exercises to free the voice (just like stretching before you exercise!) whilst also delving into repertoire that you have always wanted to learn or sing.

I also specialize in piano teaching, developing essential skills such as sight-reading and musical theory knowledge alongside scale work and vital performance practice skills.

Lessons will also involve elements of music reading and learning; character work; foreign languages and lyric diction (pronunciation); stagecraft; accompanying; and preparation for exams, or auditions. I find it so exciting to see the development of one’s intrinsic musicality, as students go from strength to strength. So no matter what age or stage you are at, I look forward to hearing from you and joining you on your musical journey.

Studio Policies

24 hour cancellation policy