School of Performing Arts, University of Otago

🎉 Huge congratulations to Phoebe Rose Osborne Soprano! 🎶

In 2024, Phoebe completed her BMus in Classical Performance with tuition from Anna Leese, Rebecca Ryan Tessa Romano, Terence Dennis and Tom McGrath. This year, she’s adding to her accolades by finishing her BA in English & Linguistics with a Minor in German – and she’s already a two-time scholarship recipient for her German studies! 🇩🇪📚

And the news gets even bigger:

🎭 She’s been accepted into the Vienna Opera Academy Young Artists Program for the THIRD year in a row!
🎵 This July, she’ll take on the lead role of Susanna in "Le Nozze di Figaro" in Vienna.
🎶 In August 2026, she’s also headed to the Vienna Conservatorium (MUK) for the Opera Classical Voice Masterclass Program.
🇩🇪 And she’s already auditioning for her Masters in Opera in Germany for 2027!

This is a massive achievement – and it puts the Otago University School of Performing Arts on the world stage. 🌍👏

🎻 World Premiere Alert!

Anthony Ritchie's “Cello Concerto” was born during his 2025 sabbatical at the University of Otago — and it’s a journey in four movements, complete with a bold, extended cadenza for the solo cello.

From melancholic depths to bright, breezy energy, the mood shifts constantly — with lively musical conversations between soloist and orchestra throughout.

Written especially for the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra’s 60th anniversary 🎶
Featuring:
✨ Inbal Meddigo (cello)
✨ Brent Stewart (conductor)
— both hailing from Wellington.

📅 Concerts:
June 20 → 5pm
June 21 → 3pm

📍 Kings and Queens Auditorium, South Dunedin

Be there for this special celebration of music, memory, and new beginnings. 🎟️

🎭 Grand Old Playhouse, Glorious New Vision!

As part of the “Playhouse Refurbishment Project”, our School of Performing Arts students, alumni and staff recently came together for the “Grand Old Playhouse Music Hall” production – all in support of fundraising efforts!

✨ Featuring:
🎭 Caroline Murray, Brent Caldwell, Sam Roadley – current 1st & 2nd year students
🌟 Clare Lewis & Jack Archibald – talented alumni
💛 Bridget Telfer Milne & Arlie McCormick – our wonderful staff

The show took inspiration from the great British music hall tradition – think comic songs, sketches, and plenty of rousing choruses!

🏛️ Did you know?
The Playhouse Theatre is nearly 150 years old – is a 136-seat heritage treasure at the north end of Dunedin’s CBD.

Since 2021, the Repertory Society has been working (with expert help and community input) on plans to upgrade this beloved space. Brilliant designs are in the works to make the theatre warmer, drier, safer, and more accessible – for our Children’s Theatre and so many more performing arts possibilities.

🎟️ Let’s give the old Playhouse the future it deserves!

🎻 Violinist Skyla Murray is back in Dunedin for a short break from her studies at the Sibelius Academy in Finland—and she’s bringing a stunning recital with her.

Joined by pianist Tom McGrath, Skyla will perform works by Sibelius and Brahms, blending fun, charming melodies with warm, nostalgic tones. Plus, she’ll give the international premiere of a new piece written just for her by Finnish composer Jaakko Kilpeläinen.

After several years overseas, Skyla can’t wait to play for her hometown crowd again—and all proceeds go directly toward supporting her studies abroad.

📅 Saturday 13th June, 7pm
📍 Hanover Hall, 65 Hanover St, Dunedin

Tickets available here:
https://events.humanitix.com/skylamurray-recital

Come show your support for local talent reaching global heights. 🎶✨

Huge congratulations to Ellen Murray!

Her doctoral thesis has been placed on the Humanities Divisional List—an exceptional honour granted to only the top 10% of theses. This rare recognition is a massive achievement.

Ellen’s research used a hybrid creative-critical approach, adapting magical realism for performance and developing dramaturgical, scenographic, and embodied strategies for staging trauma.

She’s deeply grateful to the SPA staff, especially her supervisors Suzanne Little and Hilary Halba, as well as Martyn Roberts and all her collaborators across her four workshops.

Ellen is still on campus, working as a Marketing Specialist with the Future Students Marketing team, and is currently collaborating with Professor David Hutchinson on a project for the annual Ōtepoti Dunedin Art+Science Project.

Amazing work, Ellen!

🎺 Retired? Not really—just doing the best bits!

Since retiring at the end of 2023, Peter has kept all the parts of the job he loved—performing, composing, supporting music students, and running workshops & adjudicating across the country.

🎶 He's been busier than ever:
- Led St Kilda Brass to victory at the 2025 & 2026 national brass band championships
- Conducted local community wind band concerts
- Conducted local rock band Ivy backed by the Dunedin Youth Orchestra at Errick’s
- Adjudicated brass band contests in Wellington & Christchurch
- Ran workshops for secondary school wind band & orchestral musicians at the Aurora Festival (Burnside High School, Christchurch)

🎵 He's also finally found time to pick up his clarinet again, and together with partner Toni, has enjoyed trips to England and Australia.

✍️ Currently on the go: a commissioned composition for choir and brass band.

The icing on the cake however was recognition in the Kings Birthday Honours Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for doing what he loves for forty years.

On receiving his MNZM, Peter says:

"I've had the privilege of working with wonderful musicians, students, people young and old, in all sorts of musical communities, and I think this recognition really belongs to all the people I've shared that journey with. Music brings people together and changes lives, and if I've contributed in some small way to that, then I’m very pleased."

Huge congratulations Peter, and long may your mahi continue.

🎸 Friday Staff Profile: Stephen Stedman
Te Koro Koro Studio Manager

Hear that track in the University’s new campaign? If it sounds familiar, you might’ve known it decades ago.

'Bonvena' – is a surf-rock instrumental by Dunedin band 'Glovepuppet, from their 1992 album 'Someone Else’s Dream'. Stephen (guitar/vocals) helped write it in one practice session.

🎛️ Recorded at Radio One, 91FM
🍜 Named after a sign in the Museum Café (Esperanto for “welcome”)
📺 Became the theme song for TV2’s 'Squeeze' (1998–2002)
🎓 Now featured in Otago’s undergraduate campaign – following The Clean’s 'Tally Ho'!

Written in an afternoon, named over lunch, still making waves 30+ years later.

You’re welcome. 🙌

🎶 100 years of music education at the University of Otago! 🎂✨

That's a century of inspiring voices, instruments, and unforgettable performances. 🎵

Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone this September.
📅 Centenary celebration event registration goes live in just 1 week!

🔔 Turn on notifications and follow us so you don't miss the link to register.

🎭 Romeo and Juliet, but make it Dunedin. 💔

The iconic Globe Theatre Dunedinwas the perfect backdrop for this stunning production, directed by the talented Brent Caldwell.

And yes—our very own students were on that stage too. ✨

Another brilliant example of the powerful connection between our School of Performing Arts and the local community. So proud to see our talent shining in spaces like this.

👏 Bravo to all involved!

🎭 Huge congratulations to everyone involved in 'Sister Act with Musical Theatre Dunedin! 🙌

From the School of Performing Arts, we had students, grads, and staff shining both on stage AND behind the scenes—whether in the cast, the band, or as part of the creative team. 👏🎶

What a spectacular success. So proud of this whānau! ✨

Tag yourself in this and share your success.