Margot Lloyd QSM studied under Dame Sister Mary Leo and Robert Simmers. In her early career, Margot won a number of major awards through many local competition societies and further afield. Principal roles in musicals throughout the North Island followed before she travelled to London to study with Mdme Wiesse Norberg. She then performed with the Welsh National Opera and other UK companies for some years before returning to the world of light music and to touring the UK, specialising in this genre.

In the late 1970s, Margot returned to New Zealand and to her first love – opera. Performing with Perkel Opera, the NZ Opera Company, Mercury Opera and others, her roles included Suzuki (Madam Butterfly), Flora (La Traviata), Carmen (Carmen), Mercellina (Marriage of Figaro) and many more. Margot was founding performer and manager of the Auckland Opera Quartet which spent many years touring both North and South Islands.

She retired from professional singing in 1990. Margot also taught singing, piano and theory. She formed Colla Voce Ensemble in 1985 and the North Shore City 100 Voice Chorale (now Harbour Voices) in 1986, retaining the position of Musical Director until her retirement in 2007. In recognition of her services to music and the community, Margot was awarded the QSM in 2000.

In honour of Margot Lloyd’s many years of service to the choir, a scholarship fund was set up in her name. In its early years, the Margot Lloyd Scholarship was awarded to promising young singers as a lump sum payment to support their developing solo performance careers. Recipients of these scholarships included Joel Amosa, Elisha Fai-Hulton, Anthony Schneider and Elizabeth Mandeno.

Since 2015, the North Shore Chorale has sought to support young musicians with a particular interest in choral music, as well as individual performance.

The Margot Lloyd Scholarship is open to young singers and conductors who wish to develop their skills in choral music. The scholarship is typically valued at $1,500.00 per annum. Harbour Voices offers up to two scholarships each year.

Successful applicants will be required to sing in Harbour Voices for a period of one year. Singers will be guaranteed substantial solo performance opportunities, while conductors will receive valuable mentoring and conducting experience. Attendance at the majority of rehearsals will be required, although a small number of absences around school or university exam periods is permitted, should that be required.