He won the Otago Daily Times Aria Competition in 2004 and next month will be performing at the Owaka 150th Jubilee celebrations.
He now works for Weta Workshop in Wellington
Q Why do you do what you do?
A I work at Weta Workshop in Wellington in the film industry. I also do quite a bit of work with New Zealand opera, as well.
I started out singing in choirs and in the New Zealand youth choir quite a long time ago. I had to get a singing teacher to get into that choir and my singing teacher actually introduced me to opera.
I didn't really know anything about opera growing up so she put me in a few competitions and I started doing well.
Then I got asked to audition for a New Zealand Opera emerging artist programme. I've just kept going on with it and enjoyed it.
At the moment I do some small contract jobs for NZ Opera, but that is kind of on the side from Weta. I'm definitely full-time there.
Weta is a pretty awesome atmosphere and there are cool people to work with. It's quite creative. I really like that creative side of things.
I guess there's the variation, because you never know what you're going to be doing every day.
You meet some interesting people from overseas and you get to see some really interesting things happening around you.
Q What is your earliest memory?
A That's a hard one. It would definitely have to be somewhere on the farm in Owaka or maybe at school. It's a small school there.
Probably going out with Dad on the lambing beat or something like that. I definitely remember that. I guess growing up on the farm would have to be one of my first memories.
Q What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A I never had a real idea but at school I was always interested in design.
That was probably my favourite subject. I went on to study graphic design. I still kind of keep my hand in with that as well where I work.
There is a lot of design going on around me. I'm kind of in an industry where I feel like I belong. I had a really good teacher in design at school, Simon Floyd. He possibly influenced me a bit.
With the singing side of things, I think my grandparents definitely influenced me. My granddad used to sing. Nana was a piano teacher. They were quite good motivators with the music and they kind of instilled that in my whole family, really.
Q What is your most embarrassing moment?
A There's been lots of things happen on the stage when I perform. You never know what's going to happen. There was one opera I had to perform in a gold sparkly pair of briefs or Speedos.
I had to do a workout and press-ups and that kind of stuff. It was interesting. It was an outside opera and she, the director, wanted me coming in from the beach from a swim.
So, I had like a dressing gown on and my surfboard and then I took my gown off and put the board down and did this workout while I sang a song in my Speedos. So it was interesting.
Q Property aside, what's the most extravagant thing you've bought?
A It's probably my guitar. I don't really own that much that is expensive.
I guess musical instruments can be quite expensive so possibly my guitar. I play it every week, or try to.
Hopefully, I'll be playing a bit of guitar at the concert (Owaka 150 jubilee concert). I won't just be doing opera. I'll have a few opera pieces and I think my girlfriend will join in, too.
She's a really good violinist so we'll hopefully do a wee duet with the guitar and violin. Growing up in Owaka, I grew up with more rock and country so I love the alternative country kind of music. I love playing anything, really.
Q Who would play you in the film of your life?
A I was thinking Bear Grylls. Even though he's not an actor, but he is on TV.
He's a bit of an outdoors man. I love running and getting into the mountains and stuff like that. Every year I try to do a few runs with a few mates from around Wanaka way.
I do the Hooker Tram trail walk every year which is a 100km track. I won that the last two years out of three.
Q What is your guiltiest pleasure?
A I can't think of anything off the top of my head.
Q What would be your dream job?
A I feel I'm kind of living the dream in a sense. I've got my opera and working in the film industry around people like Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor which is pretty awesome.
Then I'm also living on a lifestyle block where I've got a small flock of sheep and I can't even see the city.
I feel like I'm doing pretty well. More of the same. Onwards and upwards. I'd like a bigger farm.
Q Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A I think I'd invite Bear Grylls again. He's an interesting character and I'd think he has a lot of good stories and a lot of good banter.
Q What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A Right now I could do with some more time.
I feel like I'm a bit busy, so more time and a few more spare days would be good to enjoy the outdoors a bit more or spend more time with family and friends.
Q What keeps you awake at night?
A To be honest, I'm a pretty deep sleeper. I go out like a light when I jump into bed. I'm a bit of a night owl.
Once I'm in bed, I'm fine.
Q What song would you like played at your funeral?
A I've heard a lot of beautiful music.
I love music so much across so many different genres. I haven't thought about anything like that.
