4 February 2026
Winner of the 2024 Lexus Song Quest, Katie Trigg has recently joined LA Opera as a Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist and will feature in upcoming seasons of Akhnaten and The Magic Flute. With a busy schedule of classes, rehearsals and recitals, we managed to catch up with Katie from her new base in Los Angeles.
After congratulating Katie on her recent success in becoming a Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist at LA Opera, I asked her what the next 12 months look like.
“I’ve moved to LA for the next two years - it’s nice to be a bit closer to home. The next few months are busy with rehearsals and performances for both Akhnaten and The Magic Flute. Rehearsals for Akhnaten have just begun – I’m playing Maketaten, one of Akhnaten’s daughters – and it’s so exciting to get started on my first production with LA Opera.
“The LA Opera 26/27 season has not been officially announced yet, but it has a few of my favourite operas, and I can’t wait to find out which ones I will be performing in!”
The opportunity at LA Opera means Katie now has a base. I ask her what a typical working day looks like and she laughs saying “there is no typical day at LA Opera.
“When I’m not in a rehearsal period for an opera, I spend a generous amount of time working with coaches and teachers to refine my technique and prepare for performances, but I also have days where I’m getting fitted for costumes or auditioning for artist managers and representatives from other opera companies.
“There are fabulous guest artists and teachers who come in to work with us each month, so I’m always getting to learn from professionals at the top of their game.
“While we are in a production period, we have an ever-changing rehearsal schedule which could go anywhere from 10am to 10pm! Plus, I also perform outside the opera at recitals and other events around Los Angeles.”
Katie won the Lexus Song Quest (now the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest) in July 2024, and I ask her how it has impacted her career to date.
“Winning the Song Quest opened up some awesome opportunities to perform on the main stage, especially in Aotearoa. I’ve been able to dip my toes into some beloved repertoire such as Verdi’s Requiem (a personal favourite!), and I’ve worked with incredibly high-level singers while I’m at it. Each of these opportunities has opened yet another door further down the line, and I’m grateful to feel that I’ve been gaining momentum in the past year or so.”
She added that the cash prize also enabled her to travel around the world to audition at a number of different opera companies, one of which was LA Opera. “It also allowed me to work with prominent coaches and teachers, which helped me to improve my artistry.”
And while she is living her dream and working as an opera singer, Katie says she does miss a few things about being home in Aotearoa – “feijoas, meat pies, and the friendly Kiwi culture! I actually did find some feijoas here in LA in November, which helped me feel at home.”
Katie adds that she will have a trip home this year when she returns to Aotearoa to perform as Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with the Auckland Philharmonia in July. “It’s going to be a wonderful chance to see family and friends, and maybe indulge in a steak and cheese pie or two…”
The Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest returns to Te Whanganui-a-Tara with the Grand Final Gala on Saturday 11 July at the Michael Fowler Centre. Tickets go on sale in April 2026. Details here.
Katie Trigg performs in Madama Butterfly with the Auckland Philharmonia on Saturday 25 July at Auckland Town Hall. Details here.
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