Emeline is a 25-year-old Tongan soprano and aspiring doctor, born and raised in the South of Auckland. Passionate about both music and medicine, particularly in Pasifika spaces, she completed a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Voice Performance in 2019 and is now in her fourth year of studying towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Emeline attended Aorere College, where she held multiple leadership roles as the school’s Head Girl, Head Prefect and was also awarded with the Dux award in 2016. She was heavily involved in the school’s music culture, and in 2013 sang as a soloist in New Zealand Opera’s production of Noye’s Fludde after being encouraged by the Head of Music at the time.
After leaving school, Emeline was set on completing a pre-medical year in Biomedical Sciences. However, due to a sudden change of heart just one month before starting, Emeline decided to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree to develop her singing talent. Immediately after graduating, she applied for and was accepted into the Medical School at the University of Auckland and is now in her fourth year.
Emeline does not believe in being limited to unidimensionality, encouraging others to pursue every dream even if the path seems unclear. She looks forward to working with New Zealand Opera alongside other Pasifika creative artists.