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Can AI beat a choir? Join UC academic Claire Benedict with choral experts Rachel Fuller and Catrin Johnsson where they will discuss whether the human voice can be replaced by AI or whether there is too much missing from modern technology to replicate the complexity of a choir.

Catrin Johnsson ARAM, Dip.RAM., is one of New Zealand’s most highly skilled musicians. Originally from Sweden, she is a professional opera singer, organist, voice teacher, conductor and vocal coach to leading choral ensembles. Trained at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm and at the Royal Academy of Music, London, she has received a number of awards including the prestigious Christina Nilsson Award.

Catrin has worked as a principal artist for companies such as English National Opera and Opera Holland Park.  She has sung a number of roles for NZ Opera and was chorus master for Le Nozze di Figaro (2021). She also conducted Hineraukatauri – New Zealand’s contribution to World Opera Day 2021.

Catrin is language and vocal coach for Voices New ���سԹ�Chamber Choir. In 2017, she was National Adjudicator for the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition. Both nationally and internationally, Catrin frequently gives masterclasses, workshops and presentations on vocal technique and acting. In concert she has performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and St John’s, Smith Square in London. Catrin has made several recordings including Sit Down With Me Awhile by Janet Jennings (Voices of Women, Atoll Records).

Catrin is a Performance Teacher at the University of Auckland, where she teaches voice, stagecraft, ensemble leading skills and communication skills for conductors, pianists and string players. As a stage director, she has made full productions of several master recitals and has also co-directed the annual opera scenes productions. In 2019, Catrin directed a production of “The Little Matchgirl Passion” by David Lang, for the University of Auckland Chamber Choir. Catrin and Rachel are Chorus Masters for the Christchurch Symphonic Chorus 2023/2024.

Rachel Fuller ARAM, M.Mus(RAM) studied piano in Christchurch with Rosemary Miller Stott and then with Dierdre Irons at the ���سԹ� as well as cello with Alexander Ivashkin. She went on to gain her Masters in Piano Accompaniment from the Royal Academy of Music in London. Rachel lived in London for 18 years, building her career in the UK and Europe as a vocal accompanist, répétiteur, vocal coach and piano teacher. Rachel has worked at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, at Opera Kristiansund and Opera Nordfjord in Norway, and also with leading British opera companies including Diva Opera, Opera della Luna and London Opera Players. She has accompanied some of the world’s finest singers including tenor Keith Lewis. She has been a regular accompanist and coach for the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Rachel has performed all over Europe and a great deal in Sweden and Norway.

Rachel is currently a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland where she teaches piano, collaborative piano, is a vocal coach and accompanist. As an accomplished chamber musician and cellist, she has collaborated with cellists Ramón Jaffé, Edith Salzmann as well as violinists Leo Phillips and APO concertmaster Andrew Beer. In 2022 Rachel was Musical Director for Toi Toi Opera’s production and performed with cellist James Bush and conductor/composer Eric Whitacre in his recent work The Sacred Veil. Rachel is a also teacher at the Chiron Music Academy.