"I have two. And they both make a living from dying, again, and again, while wearing outrageous costumes and singing arias.
"I met [Kiwi opera singer] Martin Snell through St Paul's Cathedral Choir in Dunedin.
"A primary-school teacher had suggested I join. I was about 6 or 7
but had been singing all my life.
"As a small child it's very hard to sit through three or four church services a week.
"Martin kept us in check - usually with a flick on the ear from the pew behind.
"He has an amazing work ethic. He taught me that anything is possible, you just have to work hard and really put your mind to it.
"He also has a law degree, and will always stand up for young singers if he feels they are being taken advantage of.
"He is one of these Kiwis who is honest kind and hardworking and it's got him where he is today.
"The other would have to be Dame Malvina Major. I got to meet her last year.
"The story of how she got into the business really encapsulates her spirit.
"I think she was about 3. She crawled up on stage where her siblings were performing but somehow she snapped the elastic on her underpants.
"So during the performance she had to keep hoisting up her knickers - yet she didn't let it bother her.
"You know, the voice is one of those funny things, it's directly linked to your emotions.
"Dame Malvina was one of the first internationally to go public about the vocal trouble she encountered after her husband died.
"Only after she accepted his death was she was able to sing again. Her motto is you can't hold anything inside.
"It's much better to talk about it and be open and honest.
"Most people don't see the hard work it takes to become a singer - 95 per cent of it is rehearsals, in cold church halls or warehouses.
"You are usually working alongside another job, and rehearsing at night.
"Every young singer has moments of doubt, when you think, 'should I be doing this? Am I crazy?
"Those two mentors have really influenced my work ethic.
Michael performs in NBR New Zealand Opera's La Boheme, Auckland May 29-June 3 and Wellington May 10-17.
