“PPV has changed me so much I now feel like I have a purpose, something to offer in this world, something to live for, something to be grateful for. I feel loved & supported, I feel way more appreciated than I ever have felt, I feel like I can literally count & trust everyone in PPV.”

“It’s inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and do things I’ve never done before… it’s not about being experienced it’s about getting experience.”

"I never even thought about opera, let alone imagined I would be in one. It was totally life-changing."

These students have participated in Project Prima Volta Senior, where young singers rehearse, learn and perform together regularly — sometimes for several years.

PPV Senior places singers inside a working environment of opera and vocal performance projects. Students develop vocal technique, musicianship, language skills, stagecraft and ensemble awareness while working alongside other committed young singers and professional artists.

Some participants go on to study music at university and others take the skills they gain in PPV into completely different fields. What they all shared at the beginning was simple: they wanted to sing.

Project Prima Volta is delivered by the Prima Volta Charitable Trust, whose vision is to enrich the community through high-quality singing experiences for rangatahi.

Participation in PPV Senior is completely free. Our selection process is not based solely on how accomplished you already are, but on the possibilities you bring to your audition.

If you're successful, we offer:

• Free group singing programme

• Free 1:1 singing tuition

• Free group music theory tuition

• Regular performance opportunities (e.g. solo recitals, NZSO projects, Festival Opera productions, HBAF performances)

Learning operatic technique doesn’t just make you a better singer — it helps you breathe better, stand taller, and speak with more confidence in everyday life. Understanding how your voice works can improve your focus, reduce stress, and give you a stronger sense of agency over how you show up in the world. Whether or not you pursue music long-term, these tools stay with you — helping you manage nerves in high performance situations, acing interviews, demonstrating leadership, and improving your emotional wellbeing.

PPV is limited to 30–35 committed students and is entirely FREE. Those accepted agree to dedicate their time to music learning, their energies to focusing during rehearsals and lessons and their goodwill to supporting the programme with various responsibilities that help us continue to offer the PPV programme.

Auditions for the 2026 - 2027 cohort are taking place in August with dates confirmed in July. Your school may hold a presentation from Project Prima Volta — you will also be required to register via this link if you attend one of these presentations. If you already know you want to get involved, fill out the form!

No personal information provided will be shared elsewhere without consent. Your answers help us to plan transporting/scheduling auditions etc where required.