Vera Dirksen-Pluijlaar, Vocal Teacher Classical and Musical Theater,
studied music in the Netherlands, Musical Theater at Factorium School of Arts, Classical Singing at Royal Conservatorium and Fontys Conservatorium which resulted in a teaching degree and a bachelor degree in chamber music.
Performed as a soloist with choirs, orchestra's and ensembles in (light) Opera, Oratorio, Musical Theater, vocal groups and solo recitals including a few world premiers of newly written peaces by contemporary composers.
This has made her into a performer and teacher with a broad view on classical and contemporary music.
After her studies she was asked to stay on as a Vocal Teacher Musical Theater and part of the creative production teams at https://www.factorium.nl/ and at https://fontys.nl/musicaltheater/ coaching young talent on their way to the professional Musical Theater Stages.
Never to old to learn or change she always tries to stay in touch with the latest developments in Vocal teaching like Estill Voice Training, Salodin CVT, Hoepelman a Way of Singing, ter Doest Universal Voice.
In 2014 Vera, her husband and two boys moved to Kerikeri and in 2017 to Whangarei. Having lived in New Zealand in her early life, it felt like coming home. Next to being a mum, a wife and a keen gardener she remains strongly connected to her musical career so started teaching and performing again, first at Kerikeri (School of Music,Turner Center, Bay of Island Singers) and now in Whangarei where she teaches from her Home Studio in Kensington.
She has been involved in several Musical Theater productions since moving to Whangarei.
2018 Director/Vocal Coach SFX school production "Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies"
2020 Vocal Director Whangarei Theater Company Shrek
2021 Vocal Coach Whangarei Theater Company West Side Story
Performances with Whangarei Choral Society:
2020 soprano soloist in Gounod's "St Cecilia Mass",
2021 soprano soloist Haydn 's "St Nicholas Mass"
2023 soprano soloist David Hamilton's song cycle " Night Visions"
2020-2023 Member of "Opera North" committee and conducting
2022- ....... Conductor Whangarei Youth Music Choir
2023-........ Conductor "All Tuned Up" Male Chorus
2023- ........ Singer with The Chamber Collective (vocals/violin/piano)