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The Samoan baritone, Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono, completed his musical education at the University of Waikato (since 2016). He has has recently acquired his Masters in Advanced Opera Studies through The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS) at the University of Waikato, under the tutelage of Kristin Darragh and David Harper, as Sir William and Lady Judi Scholarship Artist at the same university. A few competition successes include being a finalist in the Joan Sutherland Richard Bonyage Bel Canto (2023), winning the Stimme Leib and Seele Scholarship Prize, Auckland Opera Studio Scholarship Award (2023) competitions, Lockwood NZ Aria (2023), Nicholas Tarling Aria competition (2023), and winning first place in the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Waikato Aria Competition and the Southern Aria competition in Dunedin (2022). Most recently, in early 2024 he won the Napier Aria competition.
Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono's interest in classical music flourished through his involvement with the youth initiative, ‘Project Prima Volta’ - a music programme based in Hawke’s Bay that empowers youth through classical music. With a nationwide remit, He has been involved in several concerts and productions as a solo and ensemble singer with Auckland Opera Studio, Chamber Music New Zealand, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra, Napier Civic Choir, Festival Opera, New Zealand Opera, and The University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music. He has also been selected to attend the prestigious New Zealand Opera School for a fifth consecutive year, commencing in 2024. His dreams of performing on international stages and giving back to his community, hoping to one day share the stage with his brothers worldwide. He is part of the touring quartet “ALOFA” with his three younger brothers. Since 2023, he also sings bass parts in concets of Vox Baroque (Director: Rachael Griffiths-Hughes) at St Peter's Cathedal in Hamilton, Waikato. He currently lives in Lives in Hamilton, New Zealand. |
