PRESENTED TO ... Tayla Alexander (22)

22 Year old Opera and Classical crossover singer, Tayla Alexander, is the recipient of the AIMES Music Award for 2023.

Tayla, who attended Long Bay College, first won an AIMES Junior Excellence Award in 2014, followed by an AIMES Emerging Talent Award in 2019, and the AIMES Ross Finlayson Award last year.

Since the age of 12, Tayla has been performing commercially, with her music played across media in Europe, the USA and NZ. She is working with the NZ Opera company in 2023 as a studio artist and soloist, performing in such events as Opera in the Park, opera scenes, stage roles and in The Unruly Tourist season playing various roles.

The 2022 Lexus Song Quest semifinalist has also performed as a special solo guest with SOL3MIO, performed with the APO and AYO, and attended Whanganui New Zealand Opera School. Tayla was awarded first place in both the Ronald Dellow and Norah Howell senior vocal competitions, received a Blues award for Leadership and community service and performing arts, an Evelyn M Harrison scholarship, and the Kate Edgar Vinka Marinovich Award.

Tayla has been mentored by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Most recently Tayla gained a full scholarship for intensive training at the Lisa Gasteen programme in Australia, where she played the role of ‘Helene’ in Die Verschworenen.

In 2023 Tayla has completed her bachelor’s degree with honours as a first class student at the University of Auckland.

Tayla’s the youngest person in NZ to create and run a foundation designed to financially and professionally support talented Kiwis. The ‘Tayla Made Foundation’ has donated $40,000 in grants within two years.

In her AIMES application Tayla explained how her AIMES Awards grant would assist further career growth. She says the Loitz Foundation and a global record company want to work with her to create an international album, recording in Europe later this year. The plan is for the album to be recorded in and include songs from each main European language – German, Italian, Spanish, French, and English. The Loitz Foundation has agreed to cover her costs while in Europe. This North Harbour Club AIMES Award grant will play a crucial part in her fulfilling this opportunity.

Tayla Alexander receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Music Award for 2023, sponsored by Yamaha Home Entertainment, and a cash grant of $15,000.