25 June 2018
San Francisco bound soprano Natasha Wilson is one of ten Lexus Song Quest Semi-Finalists. Follow the journey of these elite young opera talents as they compete for New Zealand’s most prestigious singing accolade and a share of $90,000 in prizes.
Be there for the thrilling Lexus Song Quest Grand Final Gala on 28 July at the Auckland Town Hall. Tickets are on sale now at songquest.co.nz
Born and raised in Auckland, Natasha Wilson (Te Arawa / Ngāpuhi), studied at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Hons, first-class) majoring in Classical Vocal Performance in 2016. From September, she’ll commence post-graduate studies at the elite San Francisco Conservatory of Music in the U.S.
-“At the moment I am so focused on singing, but when I do find spare time I love baking things - like brownies,”
“And I don’t just love singing classical – I’m inspired by all sorts of music, like musical theatre, R&B… this definitely is heavily influenced by my dad who was a singer and played heavy metal bass.”
Singing repertoire by Schubert, Bolcom and Donizetti for her Semi-Final performance, Natasha chose these songs “because I connect with the text and music. I love that I can communicate with these pieces.”
Natasha is grateful for the support of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation as a participant The Kiri Programme, a mentoring programme initiated by the Foundation to foster the next generation of New Zealand's operatic voices. Natasha also enjoys the support of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, as a Dame Malvina Major emerging artist with New Zealand Opera for 2018.
-“This is such an exciting opportunity to show New Zealand what I can do. Becoming a Lexus Song Quest Semi-Finalist means I am on the right path to find my own way in the opera world.”
From here the ten Semi-Finalists perform live at one of two invitation-only Semi-Final concerts on 21 & 22 July in Wellington, where Head Judge Lisa Gasteen will select the five Finalists who will go on to perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the Lexus Song Quest Grand Final Gala, on 28 July at the Auckland Town Hall. Tickets are on sale now at songquest.co.nz
Who will win?
