Ruth Armishaw is a chameleon of musical styles, Jazz, Opera, Musical Theatre, Choral as well as public speaking. With such a varied background, Ruth has forged her career wherever the opportunities arise.
See upcoming and past Concerts and Gigs
Jazz
With a BMus and BMus(Hons) in Vocal Jazz Performance, and a Performer’s Certificate in Piano, Ruth is often found performing as a solo act, self-accompanying, with a broad repertoire of Jazz Standards (and other familiar tunes you might not have put in that category).
She also regularly performs as a Trio or Quartet, catering to the venue, occasion, and clients wishes.
Opera
As a Mezzo-Soprano, Ruth has been performing with the Chorus of NZ Opera since 2002, performing in at least 31 Operas as a peasant, aristocrat, factory worker, bar-goer. Their current production is Macbeth.
This year she joined Wellington Opera in the Chorus for La Traviata. In 2018 and 2019 she joined the casts of Madame Butterfly and Rigoletto with Eternity Opera.
If something more classical is required, Ruth has a wide repertoire of music appropriate for Wedding ceremonies, official openings, funerals, black-tie events.
There is the option of having either recorded accompaniment or bringing a pianist (and digital piano).
Musical Theatre
Musical theatre gives a more audience-accessible opportunity to explore human nature, with the music in English, Ruth’s first language, and in styles that come closer to the timbres of speech. With 100 years behind the genre, the Musical theatre repertoire is growing exponentially, and as the genre changes and modernises, so does the scope for the voice.
There is a musical theatre song to fit every occasion, every mood, every event in your life.
Choral Soloist
Ruth’s first classical voice training came in the form of singing in Choirs starting at school and progressing through the Wellington Youth Choir, NZ Secondary Students’ Choir, NZ Youth Choir, and Orpheus Choir of Wellington.
In 2019 Ruth performed the Alto solo for Orpheus Choir of Wellington’s ‘Mozart Requiem’ and in 2020 for Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’. She has performed several of the major works as a soloist with community choirs around Wellington.
Choral Ensemble
A founding member of Wellington’s professional vocal ensemble, Inspirare, if you are looking for a small, medium or large choral group to perform one or several songs, this option is also available.
Public Speaking
Ruth’s has broad experience as a Public Speaker, having MCed and compered for events such as The Big Sing choral competition, and the Independence Day and Official opening of the Embassy of Timor Leste.
This function of public speaker can be independent of, or combined with musical offerings.
Ruth Armishaw - Musician 