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Jasmine Jessen
Voice Type
Soprano
Home Town
Nelson
How did you become interested in opera singing?
During my time at college I began singing lessons and performed in musicals. I completed ABRSM exams for Classical singing till grade 8, which led me to study Classical voice performance at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. During my time at NZSM I fell in love with Opera..
Performance highlights so far?
Singing in the Lockwood New Zealand Aria Finals in 2023, performing the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon at NZSM, taking part in the NZ Opera school in 2024 and 2022, performing in La Traviata and Lucia di Lammermoor chorus with Wellington Opera
Photo © Charles Brooks
What are you looking forward to about being part of TANZOS?
I look forward to improving my technique during the sessions with my new teacher, Nikki Li Hartliep. I am excited to start preparing roles and work with the international staff. TANZOS will offer once in a lifetime opportunities which I am planning to make the most of.
What are your career hopes following TANZOS?
One day I hope to perform in operas overseas as a career but I have no idea of how to get there. Hopefully TANZOS will be able to guide me in the right direction, building a plan of how to make my dream a reality
Jasmine is supported by The Dame Malvina Major Foundation
Biography
Jasmine Jessen is a twenty-two year old soprano, who grew up in Nelson and Auckland. She began singing lessons in college and performed many roles in musicals with the Nelson Youth Theater. During her time at college she completed ABRSM exams till grade 8 for classical voice and violin.
Jasmine completed her BMus in Classical voice performance at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington under the tutelage of Dr. Jenny Wollerman. She was selected to attend the New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui in 2022 and 2024. Jasmine was recently a finalist in the New Zealand Lockwood aria competition and was awarded the John Bond Award for Most Promising Voice.
In 2023 Jasmine performed the titular role in Massenet’s Cendrillon with the NZSM. She has been a member of the Wellington Opera Chorus, performing in Verdi’s La Traviata and Donizetti’s Lucia di Lamermoor.