Adjudicator
Rachel Alexander Sutherland
Rachel studied at the University of Auckland and holds a Master of Music in Classical Performance Voice. She is a member of the Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, having sung with them since 2010. Rachel has also sung with the New Zealand Youth Choir and the New Zealand Opera Chorus and served as the Assistant Director and Principal Vocal Consultant of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir from 2011-2021.
As well as performing regularly, both as a soloist and in choirs around Auckland and New Zealand, Rachel has over 20 years experience as a voice specialist, choral director, curriculum teacher, clinician and adjudicator. Rachel has directed both intermediate and secondary school age choirs to gold award winning level at both the NZCF Big Sing and Kids Sing Festivals. She also works with the New Zealand Choral Federation and Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand as one of their Outreach Mentors.
She is deeply passionate about choral and vocal music, education and fostering a lifelong love of singing. Rachel is committed to creating collaborative, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all singers, to help them develop confidence and skills through demystifying technique, language and repertoire. She crafts dynamic and energetic learning and performance experiences while ensuring that her practice is culturally responsive.