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Laura Loach wins DMMF Christchurch Aria

DMMF Christchurch Aria 2018 finalists from left: Anna Mahon, Erica Paterson, Rory Sweeney, Pasquale Orchard, Olivia Sheat, Angus Simmons (2nd), Laura Loach (1st) Merlyn Quaife (adjudicator), Chelsea Dolman (3rd) Catherine Norton (accompanist) and Ingrid Fomison-Nurse

South Island born and raised soprano Laura Loach won the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Christchurch Aria at Queen’s Birthday weekend with a performance that gave adjudicator Merlyn Quaife goosebumps.

Baritone Angus Simmons came in second place with soprano Chelsea Dolman in third.

A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music, Laura has a BMus and PGDip Mus in Classical Performance under the tutelage of Flora Edwards, who she continues to study with.

Laura runs her own singing studio in Wellington and continues to pursue her passion for performance, working with the NZ Opera Chorus as well as various community performances, competitions and concert performances. She says the financial support from the Foundation means she is now in a position to make serious plans about auditions for further studies in the UK and Europe.

On winning, Laura said she was truely humbled to have been awarded first place, acknowledging the superb singing of her fellow finalists.

“No performer is built in isolation and I must say the most heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people in my life who have helped and supported me in this journey so far.

“To the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, the support you offer young kiwi singers is incredible, thank you so much for your unfailing generosity.”

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation Christchurch Aria is organised by the Christchurch Competitions Society and is one of the regional Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria competitions which feed into the New Zealand Aria competition in October.

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North Shore Becroft Aria

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