Judy Bellingham

Elisabeth Judy Bellingham (born 1949 or 1950) is a New Zealand opera singer, teacher, and author. She was an associate professor at the University of Otago. In 2016 Bellingham was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to classical singing. Bellingham once held the world record for the longest improvised operatic cadenza.

Early life and education Bellingham was born in England and emigrated to New Zealand with her parents when she was eight. Her father was an Anglican vicar in Ōpōtiki, and she grew up there and in Wainuiomata. Bellingham learned to play piano at the age of eleven, receiving lessons first from her mother, and then the church organist, who also taught her to sing. Bellingham later gained a masters degree in entrepreneurship, with distinction from the University of Otago.

Bellingham is an international voice consultant and vocal clinician, and has worked with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the Royal Copenhagen Chapel Choir, the David Jorlett Chorale in the USA and the Dan Laoghaire Choral Society in Dublin. She has taught for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and was a lecturer at Tunghai University's International Music Festival.

Honours and awards In the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bellingham was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to classical singing. Bellingham received a New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.