Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

While studying Law and Arts at Auckland University, Clarissa studied voice privately and sang for Opera NZ and Opera Factory. She continued her vocal studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Australia where she won both the Elizabeth Muir Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship and the Friends of the Conservatorium Scholarship. After graduating, she was offered a place in the Developing Artist Programme at Opera Queensland.

In 2004 she was awarded a Westpac St James Theatre and Opera House Grant enabling her to attend an intensive series of coaching sessions in Italy with Wyn Davies. In addition to studying and performing, Clarissa taught English in the north of Italy and worked in London for the Al Bustan festival held in Lebanon. In 2006 she moved to Berlin where she was involved in starting a new chamber opera company.

Clarissa moved to Wellington after a period in Sydney where she worked in arts management and managed a vocal ensemble for 2MBS FM. Clarissa is enjoying Wellington and sharing music with Concert listeners and can now tick ‘broadcaster’ off her bucket list which is right underneath ‘bicycle the world’ and sing with a ‘big band'.