Professionalism centre stage at Arias

New Zealand Aria regional prize winner Elisha Hulton. 03 November 2014 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker

Professionalism came to the stage of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre for this year's Aria.

That acclaim comes from one who knows the true meaning of musical professionalism, maestro Hamish McKeich.

It was under his baton that the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra accompanied the New Zealand Aria's 10 finalists; five women and five men, on Sunday.

"This year's singers were so very professional, accomplished, it's been a privilege working with them, each will keep on going into the future," McKeich predicted.

Winner Isabella Moore was a popular choice, but Australian adjudicators John Bolton Wood and Merlyn Quaife admitted being so hard-pressed to narrow the place-getters' field to four they instigated two very highly commended awards.

These were shared by the lively Emily Scott and Taupo's Chelsea Dolman.

With Madison Nonoa taking out the second spot, the finals were teetering towards being female-dominated, however, the men bit back with Benson Wilson third and Jarvis Dams fourth.

Moore's winning choice was from Verdi's Emani. The precision with which she executed it was pure class, as it should be from someone who won this year's Lexus Song Quest and recently completed her Masters degree at Wales' International Academy of Voice.

She's about to return and a slice of the $15,000 prize money is earmarked for furthering her career.

"I need to travel to London for auditions. In May I'm off to master classes in Spain so it's going to be incredibly helpful," the 24-year-old said.

Receiving the highly commended accolade had Dolman spinning. Singing in Rotorua since she was 6, she's studying under Dame Malvina Major.

With his third placing at Lexus securing him the right to compete on home turf, Christian Thurston was disappointed not to have made the winning line-up, remarking "that's competition ... it teaches you to work harder".

Another local, Elisha Hulton, scooped the top spot in the Aria's Maori Song section.

The Waiariki Institute of Technology Academy of Music and Boys' High tutor doubled as the Aria's regional prize winner.

"I'll definitely give it [Aria] another go, it's a great place to hone your craft," she said.

This year's NZ Aria was the 20th to be staged in Rotorua.