Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition

14/09/2025

🎶 The Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition 2026 is now open!
Entries are officially live, and we invite singers of all backgrounds to take part in the Digital Round. To enter, simply record a video of your performance, upload it to YouTube, and complete the application form by Sunday 23 November 2025.

This year’s prizes include $5,000 for first place and $3,000 for second, alongside the 18 and Under Category, Most Promising Prize, the Sally Stone Award, and the Tarling Aria Trophy for singers aged over 35. Finalists will also enjoy the unique opportunity to perform an aria with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra.

Find all the details and submit your entry now at www.tarlingaria.org.nz
Step into the spotlight and let your voice be heard!

30/05/2025

Breony Bearman, winner of the 2025 Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition, is heading to the UK to represent Aotearoa at the prestigious Elizabeth Connell Prize from 5–9 June — an international competition for aspiring dramatic sopranos.

We’re so proud of you, Breony, and can’t wait to see where this journey takes you. Go well!

14/02/2025

Bryan Crump from RNZ Concerts' Three to Seven show caught up with winner of the inaugural Tarling Aria Trophy, Stephanie Cortesi. A great interview, Stephanie gets to the heart of what the competition is for, and the aspirations for singers of all ages.

RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump speaks with the winner of the inaugural Tarling Aria Trophy, Stephanie Cortesi.

12/02/2025

"The year of the Sopranos" - read more about our fabulous 2025 competition. We wish to congratulate all our competitors, you all performed superbly, and we are privileged to be a part of you journey! Thank you to our wonderful supportive audiences, we love to be able to showcase the talent at our door steps - and even a couple of our cousins from over the ditch! A warm thank you to the Nicholas Tarling Charitable Trust, Due Drop Events Centre Waka Pacific Trust, Manukau Symphony Orchestra, Peter and Raewyn Stone, de la terre and all of our supporters for making this event such a success!

News “The Year of the Sopranos” Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition Winners Hitting the High Notes. The BNZ Theatre of the Due Drop Events Centre was abuzz with the audience eagerly awaiting the 18 & Under Prize finalists. This very competitive round saw five contestants from 15 years old blow awa...

11/02/2025

And our first place winner.. Breony Bearman - Soprano !!

11/02/2025

Congratulations to Soprano Jasmine Jessen Runner-up Prizewinner

11/02/2025

Congratulations to soprano Emma Jones for receiving the Most Promising singer Award!

11/02/2025

Congratulations to soprano Olivia Forbes, winner of the Sally Stone Award

11/02/2025

Congratulations to inaugural Tarling Aria Trophy winner soprano Stephanie Cortesi!

11/02/2025

Congratulations to counter-tenor Samuel Mataete winner of our 18yrs and under category!

11/02/2025

Tuesday 11 FebruaryFinal Round: Scholarship Division 7:30pmDue Drop Events CentreJudges: Claire Caldwell, Uwe Grodd and Patricia WrightMC: Jack Bouke

12/02/2024

What an extraordinary evening it was! 🎵✨
Congratulations to all our phenomenal finalists who performed at the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition 2024. A special shoutout to the Winner Sarah Mileham, the Runner-up Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono, the Most Promising singers Breony Bearman and Ridge Ponini, and the 18&Under Winner Venessa Joyce. 🏆🎉
Photos from the event attached!