New Zealand Opera is delighted to announce Claire Cowan as the 2026 Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist. This prestigious appointment recognises Cowan’s exceptional talent and marks a significant milestone as the first composer to be appointed to the residency.
Claire is a highly accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist recognised for her diverse work across concert, film, television, theatre and ballet. Her career is adorned with numerous accolades, including eight prime-time TV soundtracks and multiple national awards for Best Original Score. In 2024, she was named a Te Tumu Toi Arts Foundation Laureate of NZ, following her distinction as the first female composer in New Zealand to score a full-length ballet.
Among her notable projects are the ballet Cinderella for the RNZB and music for the TV series Under the Vines and Bust Up. Her first ballet for RNZB, Hansel and Gretel, has gained international acclaim with performances by ballet companies in Canada and the USA. Her recent feature film score, Jean Cocteau, recently premiered at the prestigious Telluride Festival in Colorado.
Whether scoring for film or composing for the stage, Claire approaches each project with a deep passion for connecting with audiences. She is also a dedicated advocate for underrepresented narratives, particularly those led by queer and female voices, in the realms of classical music, ballet and film.
Claire Cowan acknowledges the unique professional development the fellowship offers:
“Thank you to NZ Opera and the Friedlander Foundation for this exciting and unique opportunity to immerse myself in all things opera for the year! It is a rare and wonderful thing to be able to develop my compositional craft in this realm, whilst gaining a better understanding of how an opera is brought to the stage. I look forward to learning from the best in the country.”
Claire’s fellowship will be integrated into the heart of NZ Opera’s 2026 productions, focusing on the intricate art of writing for the voice through direct observation and collaboration with singers and creative teams. By being immersed in the processes for The Marriage of Figaro and The Pearl Fishers, Claire will also gain invaluable insight into the complex relationships between music, direction, staging and production that bring a mainstage opera to life.
Brad Cohen, General Director of New Zealand Opera, says the Friedlander Foundation’s support is vital for the industry’s future:
“Our ongoing collaboration with the Friedlander Foundation has become a cornerstone of how we cultivate specialised talent and nurture artists in the industry, ensuring that Aotearoa’s opera sector remains vibrant and sustainable. We are thrilled to welcome Claire Cowan as our Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist for this year – and our first composer Associate!
This fellowship is especially significant as Claire will be developing a new opera project with the support of NZ Opera. Those who know of Claire’s work and existing output will recognise her distinctive compositional voice, and it is a delight to welcome her to our opera whānau. We can’t wait to see the burgeoning of the project we are supporting, and the directions it takes.”
New Zealand Opera is deeply appreciative to the Friedlander Foundation for their continued support in championing highly-skilled artists within opera and congratulate Claire Cowan on her appointment.
