Originally from Havelock North, New Zealand, Allegro Assistant Conductor Larissa Kent graduated from the University of Auckland in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) under the guidance of Swedish mezzo-soprano Catrin Johnsson. She is now pursuing a Master of Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with renowned voice teacher César Ulloa.
Larissa is an alumna of the New Zealand Opera School, a former member of the New Zealand Opera Chorus, and also a proud alumna of Voices New Zealand, led by esteemed choral conductor Dr. Karen Grylls CNZM. She has performed various operatic roles, including Eurydice in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld at the University of Auckland, and Second Lady in Festival Opera’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. She made her SFCM debut as Barigoule in Viardot’s Cendrillon and will perform the role of Cathleen in Vaughan-Williams’ Riders To The Sea in 2025. Larissa is also passionate about teaching and enjoys inspiring young singers and musicians to develop their unique artistic voice.