Marie Te Hapuku

Voice Teacher, Diction Coach

New Zealand Maori soprano Marie Te Hapuku joined the Metropolitan Opera artist roster in 2010 as an immediate cover for Lina in Verdi's STIFFELIO. Her roles include Aida, Leonora (IL TROVATORE), and Amelia (UN BALLO IN MASCHERA), as well as Turandot, Tosca, Fiordiligi (COSÌ FAN TUTTE), Donna Anna and Donna Elvira (DON GIOVANNI). Engagements include a return to her highly-praised roles as Abigaille in NABUCCO (Verdi) in Tokyo, Leonora in IL TROVATORE (Verdi) with Intermountain Opera, her European debut with Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona in a program featuring the works of Victorien Sardou, and covering the roles of Turandot and Donna Anna with Opera Australia in Sydney. In 2013, Ms. Te Hapuku joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, with whom she now sings more than 170 performances each season.
Since the beginning of her performance career in the 1990s, Ms. Te Hapuku has been passionate about teaching voice. In 2001, Marie expanded her voice studio to New York City, and has enjoyed a reputation for her gift to translate vocal technique simply and directly. In 2019, Marie was appointed Vocal Director of the VOCAL ACADEMY OF ORVIETO in Italy, and in 2020 she established the WAIATA VOICE STUDIO in New Zealand.
Born in Gisborne, Marie Te Hapuku is a direct descendent of paramount Maori chief, Te Hapuku Ngai Te Whatuiapiti (who signed the 1835 Declaration of Independence and the 1840 Treaty of
Waitangi). She holds dual citizenship in New Zealand and the USA, and resides in NYC.