Patrick Power, ONZM - Patron & Vocal Coach

BA, DipMus (Hons), MMus (Hons), PGDip Tchg, Cert. TESOL

Patrick grew up on a farm in Dannevirke, in a family that had already produced three generations of professional singers. His grandmother was taught by Sister Mary Leo’s teacher, Sister Mary Agnes. Patrick was educated at Ruahine Primary, St. Patrick’s College Silverstream, the Universities of Otago, Auckland, Perugia, Waikato and the Epsom Teachers’ College.

He has had a distinguished international career, singing some 60 principal tenor roles in nine different languages for the leading opera houses and festivals in 15 different countries. Patrick also sang a great number of oratorio and symphonic works with a bevy of great conductors, from Abbado to Zagrosek. He has recorded for Decca, Phillips and CBS Masterworks. Patrick was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 for his services to opera both in New Zealand and internationally. 

Since returning to Australasia in 2000, he has been Senior Lecturer in Vocal Studies at EIT, Visiting Artist Tutor at Victoria University, Senior Lecturer Voice at Vision College in contemporary voice, and spent six years as full time Vocal Studies Lecturer at the Elder Conservatory, University of Adelaide. In Adelaide, Patrick was responsible for Languages for Singers, the Vocal Pedagogy Masters course, and voice teaching from Cert IV level through to Masters. Three of his former students won the Lexus Competition, and five of them have won the NZ Lockwood Aria. Patrick currently teaches voice at Woodford House, Iona College and Havelock North High School, as well as working with advanced students in his home studio in rural Havelock North.

The team at Toi Toi Opera have all worked closely with Patrick. We are honoured to have him as our Patron, and thrilled at the prospect of him sharing his wonderful talents as a vocal coach with our singers.