Opera singer gets $5000 with award

Christian Thurston

One of the country's most promising baritones, Rotorua's Christian Thurston, has received a $5000 boost after being awarded an Arts Excellence Award.

Mr Thurston, 24, has recently moved to New York to study at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of renowned bass-baritone James Morris.

He was recognised by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation's Wellington Committee.

He has recently completed an internship with New Zealand Opera as a Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist and a postgraduate diploma in Classical Performance - Voice, at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University.

"The foundation is proud to help develop the huge potential of young artists like Christian," said Dame Malvina.

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation helps young New Zealanders in the performing arts achieve their potential by providing education and training opportunities.

Arts Excellence Awards are awarded annually by regional committees in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, Taranaki and the Waikato. Mr Thurston received his award from the Wellington committee.

Dame Malvina said the awards were all about fostering local talent and supporting the development of young emerging artists in their communities.

Wellington committee member Marc Taddei, who is music director for Orchestra Wellington, said Mr Thurston was "a tremendous singer with an exciting future ahead of him".