Wellington soprano Georgia Jamieson-Emms won the annual Sealord Aria competition at the Nelson School of Music last night.
Now in its fifth year, the competition had seven contenders for the $3000 first prize.
Adjudicator Gina Sanders said the entrants performed at a high standard, "demonstrating the heights thatcan be achieved with passion and determination".
Ms Jamieson-Emms sang O zitt're nicht...Zum Leiden bin ich auserkoren from The Magic Flute by Mozart and Ain't it a Pretty Night from Susanna by Carlisle Floyd.
She plans to go to Germany to further her opera career, but before that will appearin Opera Otago's production of Cosi fan Tutti.
Second place was won by Canterbury University music student Anna Argyle and third went to New Zealand School of Music graduate and music teacher Wang Xingxing.
Jody MacDonald, from Nelson, competing for her third year, was awarded the adjudicator's promising choice prize.
