Amazed is the first song on Anna Hawkins's new EP album. And amazed is what you will feel when you first hear her voice, which matches her beauty.
The talented singer's career is taking off with a busy schedule of concert appearances in New Zealand before heading off to Europe to record a full-length album with award-winning producers in Europe and Poland later this year.
"It is an incredible opportunity. Pre-production is already under way and the classical crossover album will feature original songs I have written as well as some beautiful covers."
At a special concert in Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, Hawkins will perform all the songs from her latest album, Credo.
"I choose songs that move me and mean something to me. I have always loved the love song Amazed but I wanted to put my own stamp on it. I had it translated into Italian. It now has a completely different feel with new instrumentation. Credo is a new song adapted from a classical Schubert piano piece which has had the lyric of the Credo set to the melody. It's also known as the Apostles creed and is a stunning sacred song with much depth in meaning. Broken Vow is a heartfelt ballad I fell in love with and, finally, Gates of Dawn is a haunting traditional Celtic song."
Hawkins will be joined at the concert by tenor Chase Douglas
"I met Chase when performing the Irish anthem at a rugby game. We have stayed in touch. He's currently studying music at the Waikato University and recently toured with Hayley Westenra. He has a gorgeous tenor voice."
Lasy year, Hawkins married her childhood sweetheart, Simeon; she grew up in the Waikato in a musical family and started performing when she was a child. She has since settled in the Mount which she loves for "the people, the air as well as the landscape and beach".
Known for her emotive and inspirational performances, Hawkins describes her music as "a fusion of contemporary and classical music with Celtic influences".
She draws inspiration from a wide range of musical genres. "I still adore Andrea Bocelli, Renee Fleming is also very inspiring and Barbra Streisand is in a world of her own with the depth of emotion she conveys."
Producers of the full-length album will be Polish producer Pawel Zarecki and a well-known London producer who she is keeping under wraps for the time-being.
"It's all very secret squirrel. It was my plan to head to the UK this year to try and get some momentum overseas.
"By divine order, I met a wonderful Polish producer while he was here in New Zealand working on a friend's album I was doing some vocals for. Talking with him, one thing led to another. We felt like we wanted to work together."
The album will be the first time Hawkins has the opportunity to record her own songs. "I have four or five original songs that are going on the album. One is contemporary, another is dramatic - like a song out of Romeo & Juliet being very dramatic, and the others more reflective also with Celtic melodies coming through."
Before Hawkins heads off, she will sing with the Bay of Plenty Symphony Orchestra at their concerts, Showtime, which will be held at Baycourt on May 26-27, conducted by Mal Brady.
The Fine Print
What: Anna Hawkins concert
When: Saturday, April 21
Where: Holy Trinity Church, 215 Devonport Road
How: www.ticketek.co.nz . Over the counter at Baycourt Community Arts Centre.
Door sales are available on the night.