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New Zealand born, Shaun has been singing since the age of nine. Before coming to London in 2005, Shaun worked as a professional singer throughout New Zealand for four years performing regularly in concert, opera and for television.
Shaun has recently finished studies at the National Opera Studio in London and in 2006 a PGDip (opera) at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School, RCM, with Ryland Davies being supported by the Irene Hansen and Charles Branchini Awards. Shaun has a Batchelor of Music from Auckland University in New Zealand where he was a Pears-Britten award scholar. He also had the rare opportunity of studying privately with Luciano Pavarotti in Italy with whom he stayed for 5 months in 2000.
Shaun has performed as a soloist in concert with every major orchestra in New Zealand including the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Some major highlights have included major outdoor events of up to 150,000 audience and concerts such as the "Lakeside" concerts in Rotorua. "Symphony under the Stars" in Auckland, "NBR Westpac Stadium Spectacular" which was broadcast on national television, Night at the Opera with Dame Malvina Major and Carmen the Musicals with Sally Burgess. In January 2007 Shaun also performed with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra as part of a National Opera Studio Concert.
Shaun's opera experience has included the role of Lensky in Eugene Onegin for British Youth Opera, Gonzalve in L'Heure Espagnole and Alfred in Die Fledermaus for BBIOS, RCM London. The Student in The Rose and the Nightingale by Oliver Rudland (Premiere), the role of Bellarmino in Galileo by John Rimmer (premiere), Rodolfo in La Boheme, Nirenus in Giulio Cesare, The Sailor in Dido and Aenaes, Fredric in Lakme, Borsa in Rigoletto and Arbace in Idomerneo.
Oratorio has included the tenor soloist for Mendelssohn's Elijah, Beethoven's 9th Symphony (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), Coleridge-Taylor's Hiawatha, Bach's St Matthew Passion, Schubert's Mass in G, Beethoven's Mass in C, Verdi's Requiem, Andrew Loyd-Weber's Requiem and Handel's Messiah.
Shaun has had much success as a recitalist including a nationwide tour where one reviewer stated: " Everywhere an uninhibited, emotional verismo that half-gasps its way through beautifully turned words and sets the audience cheering"... "melting moments that carried you heavenwards" (New Zealand Herald).
He has been broadcast on radio and television and featured regularly on national television in New Zealand since 1996 thanks to winning the viewers vote on a live talent show called "Showcase". He is also the featured soloist for the sound track to the movie 'NO.2' (Numero Films Ltd) which featured in the 2006 British Film Festival. Shaun was also guest artist on the 'Hayley Westenra' album, which was number one on the New Zealand charts for six weeks in May/June 2001 and whom he also toured with throughout New Zealand and Australia and will appear in concert again with Hayley in February 2008. He has appeared regularly as guest artist for major corporate events such as the "NBR 2002 Arts Awards" and the "Louis Vuitton Cup 20th Anniversary Dinner 2003" and has performed the National Anthem for the All Blacks vs Lions and England rugby matches.
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