Carleen Ebbs

New Zealand Lyric coloratura Soprano Carleen Ebbs, is currently completing a Masters Degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Professor Ameral Gunson. Prior to arriving in the UK in 2005, Carleen completed a Masters of Music from Victoria University of Wellington NZ, where she performed the roles of Barbarina, Frasquita, and 1st Lady for Opera Victoria.

From 2003 – 2005 Carleen was a member of the NBR NZ Opera Chorus, and more recently performed in Idomeneo, Orfeo et Euridice, and Don Pasquale for Opera de Bauge, France in 2007.

Carleen covered the Queen of the Night for GSMD’s 2007 production of Die Zauberflöte, and in previous opera scenes, Carleen has performed excerpts featuring Despina, Blonda, Norina, Frasquita, Sophie, Pamina and Adina. In 2007, Carleen took on the role of Aloyisha Weber in a new play about Mozart and his women for Montmirral Productions at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre. On the concert platform, Carleen has performed soprano solos in Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Lauda Sion, the Messiah, Schubert’s Mass in G, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Judas Maccabaeus with choirs in both NZ and the UK.

While in London, she has performed at Wigmore Hall, as a guest artist for the Royal Over-Seas League, and at NZ House, and has recently been in concerts directed by internationally renowned accompanist Graham Johnson performing works by Schubert and Wolf. She was a finalist in the 2008 Thelma King Award, the recipient of a 2007 TUMU Merchants Excellence Award, and was named the 2006 Victoria University Bank of New Zealand Post Graduate Scholar. Carleen has been a finalist in competitions in NZ and a nominee in the NZ Young Performer of the Year.

Following recent recitals in NZ, future engagements include opera scenes at The Guildhall performing Semiramide, Lady Penelope and Susanna, a concert at St Olave’s Church and Handel House Museum London.