Holly was born in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, and recently graduated from the University of Auckland with a Master of Music degree, with First Class Honours, under the tutelage of Morag Atchison. She previously completed her Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Commerce at the University of Canterbury.

In 2024, Holly made her orchestral debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, as part of their Community Classics Concert series, and was part of the chorus for their performance of Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’ in concert. She has been a member of the New Zealand Opera chorus between 2022 and 2025, performing in their productions of Verdi’s ‘Macbeth,’ Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte,’ and Rossini’s ‘Le comte Ory.’

Recent awards and accolades include being the runner-up of the Joan Kennaway Aria Competition in Whangārei, and a finalist in the North Shore Performing Arts (Beacroft) Aria Competition.

Operatic and Musical Theatre roles include Galatea, in the University of Canterbury’s production of ‘Acis and Galatea,’ and Maria in ‘West Side Story,’ with Rangi Ruru and Christ’s College. In 2025, Holly was a soprano soloist with Toi Toi Opera in their production of ‘Riders to the Sea’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams, in which she sang Dame Gillian Whitehead’s waiata ‘Naumai e te ao marama.’

In 2026, Holly looks forward to commencing further postgraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.