ARTLEY
& FINZI

Dilys Fong (Mezzo-Soprano)

Dilys Fong is an Auckland-based mezzo-soprano, having performed with a variety of groups over the years. As a soloist, she has appeared in Renee Liang and Gareth Farr's 2017 opera The Bonefeeder, and with the Auckland Choral Society (Israel in Egypt, Schubert +), Bach Musica (The Birds, various Bach cantatas), Auckland Youth Choir (M), the North Shore Chorale (Mainly Mozart), North Shore Camerata (Good King Wenceslas), Ensemble Polymnia (Remembering Passchendaele), and the Handel Quire and Consort (Te Deum & Jubilate, Ode to St Cecilia, Samson, Triumph of Time and Truth). 

Dilys completed a BMus/BSc in 2014 majoring in Physics and Performance Voice, and was the recipient of the Pears-Britten Scholarship, and Marie D'Albini Scholarship in singing during her studies. She comes from a strong choral and ensemble background, and has performed with the New Zealand Opera Chorus (La Boheme, Carmen), Voices New Zealand, and Opera Factory. Dilys is also an alumna of the acclaimed Key Cygnetures and Choralation choirs (Westlake Girls’ High School), University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Graduate Choir NZ, and the New Zealand Youth Choir. She now spends her working hours as a transport planner and climate change adaptation consultant, and can sometimes be spotted hiking.

Blake Scanlen (Counter Tenor)

Blake is a baritone, conductor, and teacher from Tāmaki Makaurau. He currently sings with Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir and St. Matthew’s Voices where he is Leader of the Voices. He is Artistic Director of the Neotectonic Vocal Ensemble, teaches classroom Music and English at Westlake Boys High School, and is Guest Conductor for Harbour Voices.

Recent solo highlights include Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Mass in A, and Stainer’s The Crucifixion. 

Upcoming solo performances include J. S. Bach’s Easter Oratorio; Reena Esmail’s This Love Between Us (Bach Musica NZ), Messiah (Pakuranga; South Auckland Choral; Tauranga Civic Choir), Handel’s The Triumph of Time and Truth (Handel Consort; Quire), and as guest artist with NZ Barok. He is a graduate of the University of Auckland School of

Music in composition, conducting, and performance voice and recently attended the 2026 New Zealand Opera School. His teacher is Catrin Johnsson and in September this year, will be moving to the UK to pursue a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing at the University of York.

Neotectonic Vocal Ensemble 

Neotectonic Vocal Ensemble was founded in 2021 as a place for old friends from the Auckland Youth Choir to continue singing together. Beginning as a nine-person ensemble, they are now a 16-strong chamber choir. The ensemble performs in different venues several times a year across Tāmaki Makaurau and have previously presented repertoire ranging from Byrd and Victoria to Alex Taylor and Meredith Monk, including various world and NZ premieres. Past collaborations have included with violinists Johnny Chang and Keir GoGwilt, pianist Sofia Onishko, Austellus Vocal Ensemble, astronomer Chris Marthur-Hollis, and St. Matthew’s Voices. Since 2024, their artistic director is Blake Scanlen and they are run by a committee of singers.

Elizabeth Lau (Conductor) 

Elizabeth Lau is the Founder and Creative Director of Wairua Sinfonietta, a non-profit orchestra that unites emerging and professional musicians to perform in support of charitable causes worldwide. In 2024, she also founded the Wairua Youth Sinfonietta, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of orchestral players and fostering meaningful musical opportunities for young musicians.

A graduate of the University of Auckland, Elizabeth was the first to complete a Master of Music in both Choral Conducting and Orchestral Conducting, alongside studies in composition, collaborative piano, and double bass. Her mentors include Dr Rae de Lisle, Honorary Associate Professor Dr Karen Grylls ONZM, Emeritus Professor Uwe Grodd, and the late Maestro Eliano Mattiozzi Petralia.

Elizabeth has conducted internationally and worked with ensembles including Auckland Philharmonia, Manukau Symphony Orchestra, Piper Sinfonia, Mozart Orchestra, Auckland Choral, and Bach Musica. She currently serves on the advisory team for the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy, contributing to the development and support of young choral singers across the country. She is recognised for her thoughtful musical leadership, collaborative approach, and commitment to building inclusive artistic communities.

Career highlights include serving as Assistant Conductor for the world premiere of LEN LYE: The Opera (2012) by Eve de Castro-Robinson, and participating in the 2021 world premiere of Ihitai ‘Avei’a – Star Navigator, an opera co-composed by Tim Finn and Tom McLeod. In 2026, she conducted the inaugural Chinese New Year Symphony Concert at the Auckland Town Hall, marking a significant milestone in cross-cultural musical celebration.

Through Wairua Sinfonietta, Elizabeth combines artistic leadership with community impact, presenting concerts that inspire audiences while supporting meaningful charitable initiatives. Outside of music, Elizabeth is passionate about cultural exploration, visiting art galleries, and creative expression through painting and photography.