This past weekend was one of the annual highlights of my photography year. I have photographed the NZ Aria finals for the past 8 years and each year seems better than the last. The NZ Aria 2016 was again of an amazingly high standard with the judges having the unenviable task of selecting only 10 finalists from a very strong field and then having to select the prize-winners from the finalists based on their performance with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Rotorua local, Frederick Jones, who is studying in Wales emerged as overall winner. I have been fortunate to photograph his performances since his involvement with school musical theatre productions and it was a real joy to hear him sing again. All the finalists performed beautifully and I was lucky to see them both at rehearsal and then during the final performance. Guest Artist Simon O’Neill was as stunning as his reputation would suggest and his connection with the NZ Aria as a previous winner confirms the opportunities that can lie ahead for winners of the competition. His biography makes for impressive reading.

For all the photos see my NZ Aria 2016 Gallery