About — HARBOUR VOICES

Originally North Shore 100 Voice Chorale, the choir was established in 1986 by influential local musician and teacher, Margot Lloyd QSM. For Season 1, 2026, Harbour Voices will be performing under the baton of Blake Scanlen.

Blake Scanlen |
Musical Director

Blake is a baritone, conductor, and teacher from Tāmaki Makaurau. He currently sings with Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir and St. Matthew’s Voices where he is Leader of the Voices. He is Artistic Director of the Neotectonic Vocal Ensemble, teaches classroom Music and English at Westlake Boys High School, and is Guest Conductor for Harbour Voices. Recent solo highlights include Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Mass in A, and Stainer’s The Crucifixion

Upcoming solo performances include Messiah (Pakuranga & South Auckland Choral; Tauranga Civic Choir), Handel's The Triumph of Time and Truth (Handel Consort & Quire), and as guest artist with NZ Barok. He is a graduate of the University of Auckland School of Music in composition, conducting, and performance voice and recently attended the 2026 New Zealand Opera School. His teacher is Catrin Johnsson and in September this year, will be moving to the UK to pursue a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing at the University of York.

Soomin Kim |
Piano Accompanist

Introducing the HarbourVoices pianist/accompanist since 2025, Soomin Kim. We have been honoured to work with her since rehearsals started in February 2025 and have cherished her past contributions to us as a soloist at our previous concerts.

Both a pianist and organist based in Auckland, Soomin’s recent musical highlights include New Zealand Opera’s recent production of Mansfield Park, as well as Die tote Stadt and Dame Cath Tizard State Memorial with the Auckland Philharmonia. Born in Korea, she began piano study at the age of 6 and moved to New Zealand at age 15. She obtained LTCL Piano Recital under the tutelage of Denise Hull, and at the University of Auckland under Stephen De Pledge. During her studies she was selected as a Haydn Staples Piano Scholar, which involved concerti and chamber music performances with Auckland Philharmonia and coaching from internationally renowned pianists.

The Committee