Benjamin ( Ben ) Fifita Makisi - Tenor

Benjamin is a Tenor of Samoan and Tongan Descent who has been affectionately dubbed the ‘Polynesian Pavarotti’ because if his stature, stage presence and his strong, pure voice.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand and also a Master of Performance (Opera) from University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has won many awards and International competitions including Australia’s prestigious Sydney McDonald’s Aria Competition in 2002.

Benjamin has appeared in many musicals and has sung lead roles for both Opera New Zealand and Opera Australia. 

He has performed for HRH Prince Charles at the Aotea Center, Auckland and has sung for many dignitaries including former Prime Minister of NZ Hon. Helen Clarke, former Prime Minister of Australia Hon. John Howard, HRH King Ta’ufahau of Tonga and at the funeral of the late Sir Edmund Hillary.
 
Benjamin continues to pursue his goal of working as an International Opera singer and  hopes to inspire under-privileged children and to combine his operatic abilities with his Pacific Heritage music, to encourage the importance of being a Pacific Islander through his cultural identity. Benjamin has been a guest artist with OPERATIF! on several occasions and is featured on their latest CD, Serenade.

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