BRIO
Vocal Quartet
BRIO vocal quartet performs widely in operatic concerts, as oratorio soloists and for private functions. Known for their imaginative programming and distinctive sound, BRIO have performed in the ‘Summer in the City’ series and toured with well-known British singer Russell Watson. They have sung for the Dunedin Opera Society, Friends of NZ Opera, the New Zealand Opera Society, and the BRIO singers recently performed as the soloists in Mendelssohn’s St Paul with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra and Cantoris choir.
For further information on BRIO phone Jody (04-389 3688) or email jody.o@clear.net.nz. We welcome Alison Hodge as our guest soloist for this concert.
Janey MacKenzie (soprano) has a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of Auckland, where she studied with Janetta McStay and Bryan Sayer. She has studied voice with John Carol Case (in the UK), Barry Mora, and currently works with distinguished singer and teacher Donald Munro.
Janey has sung operatic roles for the NZSO, Wellington City Opera, Academy Opera, Sirius Opera, and Pocket Opera. Roles include ‘Geraldine’ (A Hand of Bridge – Barber), ‘Suzy’ (La Rondine), ‘Alice’ (Le Mariage en Poste – Wekerlin), ‘The Page’ (Rigoletto), ‘Suor Genovieffa’ (Suor Angelica) and ‘Flower Maiden’ (Parsifal). A member of the Chapman Tripp New Zealand Opera Chorus, Janey also performs as a soloist with choirs and orchestras from Wellington and other centres and gives solo recitals. Recent performances include Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra.
Alison Hodge (mezzo) began her performing life in music theatre before turning to classical singing. She has undertaken a number of roles including ‘Frasquita’ in Carmen and ‘Dido’ in Dido and Aeneas, as well as various oratorio concerts. A member of the NBR Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus since 1999, she notched up her 25th opera with Jenufa in 2008. Alison studies singing with Lesley Graham of Wellington.
Alison is also a director specialising in experimental theatre and opera. She recently devised a piece for Boutique Opera featuring the music of Ivor Novello for the Fringe Festival 2008.
Jody Orgias (mezzo) originally studied voice in London, training at the Mayer-Lismann Opera Studio and in Morley Opera. Jody has performed repertoire ranging from coloratura alto: Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ (from the opera of the same name) and ‘Arsace’ (Rossini’s Semiramide) to ‘Lucretia’ (Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia), and ‘La Principessa’ (Puccini’s Suor Angelica).
A member of the Chapman Tripp New Zealand Opera chorus, Jody has performed roles for Pocket Opera, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Opera Technique, the NZ Opera School (excerpts) as well as performing as a soloist for choirs and ensembles in the region. In 2008 Jody appeared as a soloist in Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra.
Justin Pearce (bass-baritone) is a musician and music educator working in the Wellington region. He is a classroom music teacher as well as a tutor of voice and brass, and enjoys the challenge and diversity offered by teaching young musicians. Justin is currently employed at Onslow College and the Raroa Music Centre.
As a director Justin has led many different ensembles including: orchestras, concert bands, brass bands and choirs. In 2008 he conducted the Wellington Chamber Orchestra in a successful concert of Russian music, including Songs and Dances of Death by Modest Mussorgsky (arranged by Justin for orchestra, soprano and mezzo-soprano).
As a singer Justin has been a member of the Chapman Tripp New Zealand Opera Chorus, and performs as a soloist with choirs and ensembles. Justin is also a French Horn player and enjoys performing with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra.
Robyn Jaquiery (piano) completed music and arts degrees at Victoria University. After graduation she continued her music studies in the UK, training as a piano technician at the London Guildhall University. Robyn has a particular interest in piano accompaniment, and since returning to New Zealand she has performed throughout the country as an accompanist for solo singers, instrumentalists and choirs. Robyn has been BRIO's pianist since 2004.