My Story

My artistic mission: To share my heart with yours, so we may find ourselves in each other.

Where it all began...

Growing up in New Zealand, I often felt caught between my parents' worlds - East and West, privilege and poverty, belonging everywhere and nowhere. Though my home was filled with love, as a mixed-race child at a prestigious school, I struggled with bullying and a sense of isolation.

Music was my refuge. I devoured everything that came my way, from Disney to Dean Martin to Debussy. At age six, I competed in my first singing contest, did my first professional recording at seven, and performed as a soloist at Kids for Kids with Suzanne Prentice age eight.

The Overachieving Schoolgirl

In high school, it was the feeling of being different that pushed me to prove myself and pursue a poetic life. That drive earnt me a Top Scholar Award, the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Globe Theatre in London, study abroad in France, and a full scholarship to New Zealand’s top-ranked university.

I took academics seriously, but after school, I’d escape to Opera Factory, a magical little theatre where I honed my stagecraft and discovered the thrill of performance. It was there, playing pretend, that I truly felt I belonged.

Forged in the Flames

Heart over head, I pursued a Bachelor of Music and Arts Conjoint Degree in Classical Voice Performance and European Studies, blending my passions for music, art, culture, and languages.

Music school was gruelling, but forged an indomitable spirit within me. I had the privilege of being a soloist Young Achiever with the Auckland Philharmonia, spent a summer singing at the Auckland Art Gallery, and performed Shakespeare at the Pop-up Globe.

The cherry on top was a scholarship to study in Venice, Italy. While in Rome, I made a wish at the Trevi Fountain—that my career would fall into place when I returned home. And it did.

On the Road

The week I graduated, I landed my first big job as a Resident Artist with a touring company—a dream opportunity to learn from New Zealand’s leading entertainers and develop my artistry across a range of genres.

I spent my days living out of a suitcase, performing on 17 national tours across 22+ centres around New Zealand. I was fortunate enough to travel internationally, hosting and performing concerts in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Bali, and Australia.

From time to time, schedules would align, allowing me to take on side projects such as voicing 'Eel' in Hana the Glowworm with the Auckland Philharmonia and both performing and creating for New Zealand Opera’s Voices of Aotearoa.

A New Chapter

After countless hours spent on tour buses and planes, the time has finally come for me to stay grounded (at least for a while) and begin dreaming new dreams. Stay tuned and thank you for being here.

Kelly x