Soprano Madison Nonoa has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dame Heather Begg Memorial Award, securing AU$25,000 to support her professional development at a pivotal point in her operatic career.

Nonoa, who is of Samoan, Niuean and Pākehā heritage, described the award as “an incredible gift at a very important time,” adding she is “thrilled” by the recognition.

Established in 2013, the award honours the late New Zealand-born mezzo-soprano Dame Heather Begg (1932–2009), whose international career spanned more than five decades. The annual award supports an emerging artist from Australia or New Zealand to advance their career through further training, auditions and performance opportunities. Past recipients include Samuel Dundas, Amina Edris, Lauren Fagan and Filipe Manu.

A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, Nonoa is a former Dame Malvina Major Emerging Young Artist with New Zealand Opera. Her career highlights include performances at the Salzburg Festival, Whitsun Festival and Pulsations Festival in Bordeaux.

Madison Nonoa in Don Giovanni, 2025 Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Photo © Monika Rittershaus

She was a Jerwood Young Artist at the 2020/2021 Glyndebourne Festival, making her debut as First Siren in Rinaldo. She recently appeared as Zerlina in Don Giovanni at the 2025 Aix-en-Provence Festival and will make her Pinchgut Opera debut in 2026 as Abel in The First Murder (Il primo omicidio).

Award trustee Moffatt Oxenbould praised Nonoa’s trajectory, noting her “talent and artistry” have been recognised by leading European companies. “She now has the opportunity to consolidate, build and enjoy a major career,” he said.

Nonoa said the support will help ease the financial pressures of international auditions and ongoing vocal health. “The impact goes far further than people realise,” she said. “I feel really honoured to have the faith put in me and the responsibility to honour Dame Heather Begg.”

The award is administered by Melba Opera Trust on behalf of the Dame Heather Begg estate.