Boom said she was "still buzzing" after performing on stage with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra during the competition. The Lexus Song Quest is New Zealand's most prestigious singing accolade with a prize pool of $90,000 in cash and study scholarship prizes.
She began her musical studies in Hamilton as an 18-year-old studying towards a Bachelor of Music at Vision College in 2012.
The talented soprano recently completed her Masters in Music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and returned home to take part in the Lexus Song Quest.
She enjoyed working with head judge Lisa Gasteen as well as coachings and rehearsals which she described as "full on and a great opportunity".
Born in Hamilton but growing up in Whangārei in a musical family, at 15 Boom began singing lessons, which introduced her to the world of opera.
"I loved music, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a career," she said.
"My older sister, Katie, had attended Vision College and she really enjoyed her time there. I thought I would love to be a music teacher so I decided to study at Vision College too."
Katie went on to become a music therapist but, for Eliza, the college was the beginning of her classical music career – one that would see her sing under the tutelage of Dame Malvina Major, win awards and scholarships and perform on international stages alongside world-class orchestras.
In its 62-year history the Lexus Song Quest has launched the careers of some of New Zealand's most celebrated singers including Dame Malvina Major, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Phillip Rhodes, Jonathan Lemalu and Sol3 Mio's Amitai Pati.
