James Ioelu

James Ioelu is a 25 year-old baritone who began singing as an 18 year-old. Born in Auckland he grew up as a classically trained pianist. In his high school years he was given the opportunity to broaden his musical knowledge with the introduction to the bass guitar, jazz piano and drums as well as playing in a number of school music bands. It wasn’t until his later teen years that James discovered the art of classical singing and opera. 

2008 proved to be a big year for James winning the Becroft Aria and the Young National Performer of the Year in Voice. These successes were followed by being a quarter-finalist in the Sydney Aria Competitions and a finalist in the New Zealand Aria competition receiving 4th place and a summer school scholarship. 

In 2010 he was accepted to study at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York where he embarked on a 4 year degree. He made sufficient progress there to impress his tutors who in turn recommended support from the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. He was granted a $10,000 scholarship in 2011 in recognition of the progress he had made and his personal efforts to secure significant funds to support his first year at the School.