New Zealand soprano Libby Montgomery, now based in the United Kingdom, is a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. Under the tutelage of Mary Plazas, she was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies in Vocal and Opera Studies, and a further Advanced Studies diploma in Opera Studies, both with Distinction. Additionally, Libby holds a Master of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland, where she studied with Dr Morag Atchison.

In her time at the RNCM, Libby was selected as a Songsters Artist, marking her UK recital debut at the Buxton Pavilion. She made her RNCM Opera debut as ‘Ninette’ in Prokofiev’s L’amour des trois oranges, earning praise for her “sunny lyricism” (The Spectator). Her recent operatic engagements also include ‘Tina’ in Jonathan Dove’s Flight and ‘Eleonora’ in Wolf-Ferrari’s Le donne curiose (RNCM Opera Scenes). A passionate advocate of outreach, Libby performed as ‘Miss Hawkins’ in Kate Pearson’s Treasure Island, a children’s opera developed in collaboration with young school children, and most recently premiered ‘Grace Shaw’ in Pearson’s The Water Mark, a community opera written for and in collaboration with the RNCM community chorus and other community groups across Manchester spanning different age brackets.

Libby has gained further professional development through residencies with Opera North, focusing on English operatic repertoire and Golden Age music theatre. She has also begun involvement with English National Opera (ENO) Engage projects, most recently participating in the Perfect Pitch parade in Manchester last June. She has worked with distinguished coaches and conductors, including Sir David Owen Norris, Dame Susan Bullock, Julius Drake, Fleur Barron, and Stephen Layton.

A versatile concert performer, Libby has appeared as a soprano soloist with ensembles including the Auckland Philharmonia, Auckland Chamber Choir, and Pakuranga Choral Society. Her repertoire spans major works such as Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach’s Magnificat, and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. She has also performed with Voices New Zealand, Bach Musica, and New Zealand Opera, joining the chorus for Mozart’s Così fan tutte under the baton of Natalie Murray Beale in 2023.

Libby’s achievements include winning the Ronald Dellow Vocal Recital Competition (2024), being a finalist in the 2024 Becroft Aria, and she has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the José and Rafton Smallwood Award and the Betty Bannerman Award nomination at RNCM, as well as the University of Auckland Blues Award for Arts and Culture.

A passionate and engaging performer, Libby continues to develop a career that bridges opera, concert, and community-focused work, bringing clarity, warmth, and musical insight to a wide-ranging repertoire.