Singing filled classrooms, halls and lecture theatres as the prestigious IFAC Handa New Zealand Singing School got off to a soaring start at EIT in Taradale, yesterday.
Patron and actor George Henare flew down to open the school last night and ended up stepping in to help with classes.
"It was great to see he got involved, that wasn't planned at all ... it's great everyone is so excited to be here and the faculty all love coming back," New Zealand Singing School chairwoman Jill Tobin said.
The 11-day biennial event is one of a kind in Australasia and has attracted 72 students from throughout the country.
Now in its 28th year, the school sought singers with recognisable talent from here and across the ditch.