Whanganui Opera School soprano Amina Edris no stranger to world's opera houses

Amina Edris has immersed herself as a tutor at the New Zealand Opera School which wraps up in Whanganui this weekend. Photo / John Wansbrough

Amina Edris is beautiful, talented and exudes an inner strength and commitment to her music.

Her glorious lyric soprano voice has taken her to the world's opera houses with high praise from the overseas press.

With travelling currently out of the question, she and husband tenor Pene Pati have immersed themselves in their roles as tutors at the New Zealand Opera School at Whanganui Collegiate School.

Amina is a woman who travels a clear path. Her love of music and singing is deep, thoughtful and considered.

Though previously she had only taught at high schools, her position at the opera school has honed her teaching skills and love of guiding new young voices.

With their home base in San Francisco, she said both her and Pene were fortunate to have the world-renowned Cesar Ulloa as their vocal coach.

Ulloa has been a much loved vocal coach at the opera school and he misses being able to come back because of the pandemic, he had told chairman Donald Trott.

Amina said Ulloa was a fine and understanding coach and friend and she hopes her work with the students will spur them on to a greater understanding of how their voices work.

"I try to navigate them as an individual through the technique of voice and how their breathing and stance is vital.

"I don't want them to copy me but to discover it for themselves as I work alongside them.''

Amina was born in Egypt and came with her family to live in New Zealand as a 10-year-old.

She studied music at Canterbury University though her initial plan was to study engineering.

Her sense of self is strong and it's easy to see she is a woman of purpose with a magnetic charm.

She is adamant that each student must discover who they are and develop as an individual.

"You must know yourself so that you will work in the best way.''

Of course she is anxious that she and Pene will be able to head back to the United States and Europe within months.

Until then they will stay in Auckland, which is not so terrible, she said.

But for Amina returning to France and performing is uppermost.

"My time here at the opera school where I was once a student has been wonderful but I do long to go travelling again."