2019 Concert Series Bach & Bruckner | Page 21

JOEL AMOSA bass 2018 Lexus Song Quest Winner, Joel Amosa, a Samoan Bass-baritone completed his Music Degree and Post-Graduate diploma under the tutelage of Isabel Cunningham and Frances Wilson at the University of Otago. In 2012, Joel debuted his Operatic career with two leading Mozartian roles: Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro and Don Alfonso in Cosi fan Tutte with both The Auckland Opera Studio and Opera Hawkes Bay. In 2014, Joel performed the role of Dr. Bartolo with Festival Opera’s debut performance of The Marriage of Figaro, Joel went on to debut the role of Chief Hongi Hika in a new opera This Other Eden by New Zealand composer, Anthony Ritchie during the Dunedin Arts Festival. In 2015, Joel was a returning artist for Festival Opera in Donizetti’s ‘The Elixir of Love’ where he sang and charmed the audience as the quack Dr. Dulcamara. In 2016, Joel debuted with Wellington based opera company, Days Bay Opera as King Claudio in Handel’s Aggripina. Joel then performed as a guest artist with Motone Productions in their ‘Opera in Rarotonga’ concert series, Joel re-visited The Marriage of Figaro as Count Almaviva with Waikato University and in 2017 Joel sang the role of Zuniga in Festival Opera’s production of Carmen. 2019 saw Joel make his NZ Opera debut as Fiorello and Officer in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Joel is the Dame Malvina Major Young Artist for NZ Opera this year. Outside of singing, Joel is the Regional Admin Manager for ASB Central Auckland Branch Banking. Joel has been able to introduce his own singing self to his ASB organisation by bringing in the ASB Voices Choir, ASB Pasefika Network, a member of the ASB Prayer, Unity and Fusion groups. Joel attributes much of his musical upbringing and success to his family and to Dilworth School. It was here the foundations for his music were set, and singing became a passion for Joel to pursue to the fullest. 21