ABOUT PALOMA
Paloma Bruce is an acclaimed singer and singing teacher from Wellington, New Zealand. "a beaming, shining, flexible instrument that gave the impression of having few technical limits." |
"Paloma Bruce...startles one's ears with her exquisitely controlled, coloratura singing, resounding superbly in this acoustic. She is well-suited to her role by her powerful presence. Imperious...Ms Bruce belies a petite figure to confidently command the stage with regal grace and relaxed elegance." |
Paloma Bruce (formerly Horlor) is a New Zealand opera singer who has been teaching singing since 2000. As a soprano specializing in opera and classical music, she was drawn to the art form at a young age, captivated by its powerful emotions, the creativity of acting, the teamwork involved in performances, and the ability to be transported to another world for a few hours.
Paloma began her singing lessons at thirteen at St. Mary's College in Wellington, New Zealand, under Lesley Graham, a student of the renowned teacher Sister Mary Leo. After high school, she seamlessly transitioned to studying voice at Victoria University of Wellington (now the New Zealand School of Music). During her time there, she received training from Geoffrey Coker, Patrick Power, and Emily Mair, ultimately graduating with a First-Class Honours degree in Music, majoring in Performance Voice.
In 2005, Paloma was selected as one of four PriceWaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists with NBR NZ Opera. During her tenure, she studied leading roles, including 'Violetta' in Verdi's La Traviata, and covered the role of 'The British Dancing Girl' in the New Zealand premiere of John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer. She also had the opportunity to receive lessons from Dame Malvina Major during her internship.
Following masterclasses and lessons with Madame Virginia Zeani and Frances Wilson at the New Zealand Opera School, Paloma was encouraged to explore the Bel Canto coloratura soprano repertoire, transitioning from her initial training as a Lyric Soprano. This led to two and a half years of focused study with Frances Wilson at the Auckland Opera Studio, located at the renowned Mollies Hotel. Paloma's achievements include winning the Wellington and Napier Aria competitions, finishing as a runner-up in the Lockwood Aria (now the New Zealand Aria), and being a semi-finalist twice in the Lexus Song Quest.
In 2007, Paloma was accepted to the prestigious Royal College of Music in London to pursue postgraduate studies, supported by the Victoria League of Auckland and an AMP scholarship. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw due to illness, but after recovering, she began her career as a freelance opera singer in the UK.
Paloma has received training from various nationally and internationally acclaimed classical voice teachers, and more recently, she has explored Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) voice to complement her studies in Somatic Voicework™. Throughout her career, she has worked with numerous UK companies, including London Festival Opera, Opera Anywhere, Swansea City Opera, The Merry Opera Company, Heritage Opera, Surrey Opera, Opera Bespoke, Southgate Opera, and West London Opera.
One of her notable achievements was originating the role of 'Julia Bertram' in the highly praised world premiere of Jonathan Dove's opera Mansfield_Park, based on the novel by Jane Austen. This opera has since been performed internationally and recently had a successful premiere in New Zealand with NZ Opera.
Paloma has also performed live and recorded for radio in both New Zealand and the UK, making numerous television appearances in New Zealand. She is a highly experienced performer, having sung for intimate audiences as well as outdoor crowds of over 100,000 people.
Please note: This biography is not to be copied, altered or reproduced in any form. Please contact Paloma if you need her biography for public use.
Paloma began her singing lessons at thirteen at St. Mary's College in Wellington, New Zealand, under Lesley Graham, a student of the renowned teacher Sister Mary Leo. After high school, she seamlessly transitioned to studying voice at Victoria University of Wellington (now the New Zealand School of Music). During her time there, she received training from Geoffrey Coker, Patrick Power, and Emily Mair, ultimately graduating with a First-Class Honours degree in Music, majoring in Performance Voice.
In 2005, Paloma was selected as one of four PriceWaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists with NBR NZ Opera. During her tenure, she studied leading roles, including 'Violetta' in Verdi's La Traviata, and covered the role of 'The British Dancing Girl' in the New Zealand premiere of John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer. She also had the opportunity to receive lessons from Dame Malvina Major during her internship.
Following masterclasses and lessons with Madame Virginia Zeani and Frances Wilson at the New Zealand Opera School, Paloma was encouraged to explore the Bel Canto coloratura soprano repertoire, transitioning from her initial training as a Lyric Soprano. This led to two and a half years of focused study with Frances Wilson at the Auckland Opera Studio, located at the renowned Mollies Hotel. Paloma's achievements include winning the Wellington and Napier Aria competitions, finishing as a runner-up in the Lockwood Aria (now the New Zealand Aria), and being a semi-finalist twice in the Lexus Song Quest.
In 2007, Paloma was accepted to the prestigious Royal College of Music in London to pursue postgraduate studies, supported by the Victoria League of Auckland and an AMP scholarship. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw due to illness, but after recovering, she began her career as a freelance opera singer in the UK.
Paloma has received training from various nationally and internationally acclaimed classical voice teachers, and more recently, she has explored Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) voice to complement her studies in Somatic Voicework™. Throughout her career, she has worked with numerous UK companies, including London Festival Opera, Opera Anywhere, Swansea City Opera, The Merry Opera Company, Heritage Opera, Surrey Opera, Opera Bespoke, Southgate Opera, and West London Opera.
One of her notable achievements was originating the role of 'Julia Bertram' in the highly praised world premiere of Jonathan Dove's opera Mansfield_Park, based on the novel by Jane Austen. This opera has since been performed internationally and recently had a successful premiere in New Zealand with NZ Opera.
Paloma has also performed live and recorded for radio in both New Zealand and the UK, making numerous television appearances in New Zealand. She is a highly experienced performer, having sung for intimate audiences as well as outdoor crowds of over 100,000 people.
Please note: This biography is not to be copied, altered or reproduced in any form. Please contact Paloma if you need her biography for public use.
SUPPORTERS & ORGANISATIONS
Paloma would like to give special thanks to those who have supported her including....
The Victoria League of Auckland
AMP (2007 AMP Scholarship recipient) www.doyourthing.co.nz
The Rotary Club of Auckland
The Auckland Opera Studio
Frances Wilson and Stephen Fitzgerald
Martin Creasy
Opera in the Pa Committee
The Garibaldi Club of Wellington
Chris Toal of Bodywall
Ann and Tom Morris
Diana Pryde and Lloyd Jowsey
Michael Hill
Opera Companies and Organisations:
NZ Opera
Wellington Comic Opera
Heritage Opera
Opera Anywhere
The Merry Opera Company
Surrey Opera
Swansea City Opera
London Festival Opera
Southgate Opera
Opera Lyrica
West London Opera
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Festival Singers of Wellington
Orpheus Choir of Wellington
Orchestra Wellington
NZ International Festival of the Arts
The Victoria League of Auckland
AMP (2007 AMP Scholarship recipient) www.doyourthing.co.nz
The Rotary Club of Auckland
The Auckland Opera Studio
Frances Wilson and Stephen Fitzgerald
Martin Creasy
Opera in the Pa Committee
The Garibaldi Club of Wellington
Chris Toal of Bodywall
Ann and Tom Morris
Diana Pryde and Lloyd Jowsey
Michael Hill
Opera Companies and Organisations:
NZ Opera
Wellington Comic Opera
Heritage Opera
Opera Anywhere
The Merry Opera Company
Surrey Opera
Swansea City Opera
London Festival Opera
Southgate Opera
Opera Lyrica
West London Opera
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Festival Singers of Wellington
Orpheus Choir of Wellington
Orchestra Wellington
NZ International Festival of the Arts
Paloma performing in concert with London Festival Opera
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Paloma performing as Yum-Yum in G&S's The Mikado with Opera Anywhere in Sunningwell.
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