New Zealand born Samoan, Samson Setu, is a bass-baritone who is
normally based in London, United Kingdom studying at the Royal College
of Music, London, completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Classical Voice.

Setu is a former student in the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Programme for
Young Singers and credits part of his success to Dame Kiri, her trustees
and all the opportunities they have provided him. Samson understands
the importance of commitment and consistency and truly believes that
his successes so far are also a result of hard work. Samson is also a
recipient of a Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarship which has given him the
opportunity to study at the Royal College of Music.

Samson is a former Freemason’s New Zealand Opera Artist and the Dame
Malvina Major Emerging Artist of 2018 for New Zealand Opera. As an
emerging artist Setu was given the opportunity to be a rehearsal cover
and understudy for roles during the New Zealand Opera, 2018 season.
Firstly, in L’elisir D’Amore, Samson was given the opportunity to study
closely the role of Dulcamara. In the next opera, La Bohème, Samson was
the rehearsal cover for the role of Colline. Later in the year, Samson
performed in a revival of Gilbert and Sullivans ‘Trial By Jury’, in the
prominent role of the Usher, under the direction of Stuart Maunder. Setu
is very grateful for those opportunities as he strongly believes the best
way to learn is through hands-on experience and performing under
pressure.

Samson’s most recent accomplishments include competing as a finalist in
the annual IFAC HANDA Australian competition in September of 2019.
Setu won an array of awards, a three-week programme at the State
Opera House in Saarbrücken, a four-week intensive course at any Goethe
Institut centre in Germany and an opportunity to participate in the
International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI) Summer Program in New York in
2020. Earlier in 2019 he won the annual Dame Sister Mary Leo
scholarship at the 2019 NZ Opera School. In conjunction with this award,
he was also awarded the initial Guy and Sue Haddleton Scholarship award
which includes $5,000 a year for the next five years to assist Samson on
his pursuit of an opera career.

Through the Royal College of Music, Samson was casted as Simeon in
Debussy’s, L’enfant Prodigue. After weeks and weeks of rehearsing and
preparing the role the shows were cancelled due to COVID-19. Setu was
also set to play the Sprecher and Sarastro in Mozart’s, Die Zauberflöte,
but was also cancelled due the virus. Although the performances were
cancelled Samson now knows three new roles and has gained more
experience in his chosen field.

Nominations for the Arts Pasifika Awards for 2020 close this week Friday 10th July at 1pm.  There are seven awards categories and artists can also nominate themselves for more information you can go to the creative nz website: www.creativenz.govt.nz