Wednesday 15 August 2018 4:49pm
Joel Amosa performing in Auckland last month. (Photo: Norrie Montgomery)
Otago music alumnus Joel Amosa (28) was named the 2018 Lexus Song Quest winner at a Grand Final Gala event at the Auckland Town Hall on 31 July.
Joel, who is an ASB Bank regional administration manager based in Auckland, gained a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Music Performance at Otago in 2011 before completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Music (in Performance) in 2013.
Judged live on the night, five finalists performed three songs – one accompanied by acclaimed pianist and Otago staff member Terence Dennis and two with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Mould.
Dramatic soprano and international Lexus Song Quest Head Judge Lisa Gasteen said she was proud to choose the bass-baritone as the winner.
“I am confident he will do his very best to forge a path on the opera stages of the world,” she said.
Joel received a cash prize of $20,000 and a study and travel scholarship worth $30,000.
“I am so humbled by this. It’s a dream come true and this whole journey has been unreal. I just hope I’ve made my family and friends proud,” he said.
(Below: Joel performing at an Otago Pacific Alumni event in Auckland last July).
