The former Dunedin bass/baritone singer has just been appointed deputy head of the Vocal and Opera Department at the Royal College of Music, in London — one of the most prestigious music schools in the world.
He is an alumni of the University of Otago and the Royal College of Music, and has been professor of vocal studies at the college since 2023.
Now, the 49-year-old is the first New Zealander to hold a leadership position at the college since the late Dunedin baritone Bryan Drake was director of opera from 1981-85.
"I believe I am the first Samoan to hold a position like this in the northern hemisphere, in a higher education conservatoire setting," Prof Lemalu said.
He was "excited" about the new leadership role and the appointment was "a huge privilege", he said.
"The [Royal College of Music] is the global No1-ranked university for music and the performing arts for the last three years straight, according to the QS World University Rankings.
"The Vocal and Opera Department has an enviable and significant list of alumni who have built highly successful international careers, and an amazing group of highly esteemed teachers — hugely experienced and all with major performance careers in their own right.
"Certainly in the education and mentoring space, this is an absolute highlight."
Fortunately for audiences across Europe, he will be able to continue singing.
"It is a part-time role at present, and part of my role’s expectation is to continue singing to maintain my profile and awareness of the industry’s trends and expectations at the highest levels, which I’m really grateful for."
Prof Lemalu was a student at the college from 1999 to 2002 as the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Scholar and won multiple awards during that time, including two of the college’s top honours — the Queen Elizabeth Rosebowl and the Tagore Gold Medal — as well as the Royal Over-Seas League Gold Medal, the Llangollen Young Singer of the World and a joint Kathleen Ferrier Award.
He has performed on the stages of the world’s leading opera houses, concert halls and recital halls and his extensive recordings have won critical acclaim, including the Debut Disc of the Year award at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards and the Best Opera Recording at the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010.
Since then, alongside his performing career, he has built a strong reputation and profile as a vocal technician, a mentor, coach and educator, and on assessment and adjudication panels of internal and external competitions like the Kathleen Ferrier Award, Royal Over-Seas League Gold Medal, London International Handel singing competition and as guest TV commentator for the Cardiff Singer of the World.
Royal College of Music artistic director Andrew Moore said the recruitment process was "extremely competitive" and he was impressed with Prof Lemalu’s musical understanding, which was "of the highest international standards".
"He has demonstrated his commitment to teaching and will bring his vast experience to further inspire and guide students in this new role."
