13-Year-Old Filipino-Kiwi Opera Singer Stars in New Zealand Talent Show

At 13-years of age, Jazz Vidamo is already proving to have a notable career on the horizon as a young opera singer.

The Matamata college student has gone from delivering aria’s to local Waikato residents at the Tamahere markets to performing the opera anthem, Nessun Dorma alongside recognised trio, Sole Mio.

This week, Vidamo will appear on the new TV2 talent show, “60 seconds” where acts have one minute to captivate a panel of judges in order to move onwards in the competition. The winner of “60 seconds” will take home $30,000 (approximately PHP 1.57 million) prize money, in addition to what they have scooped up along the way.

jazz vidamo

Opera gives her a platform to express herself, Vidamo said, and she regularly practices in her spare time to prepare for competitions.

“I enjoy opera because I get to go around New Zealand and sing and spread my music,” Vidamo said.

“I get nerves two seconds before I perform, where I’m like, okay it’s happening.”

It began five years ago, when Vidamo watched another young girl sing opera on the British talent show competition, Britain’s Got Talent and she has pursued a career in music ever since.

Vidamo has already had the opportunity to be mentored by renowned New Zealand Soprano, Dame Malvina major as well as being recognised as a global child prodigy for her singing.

Her mother, Leigh Vidamo is also a singer and has been nurturing her daughters career from behind the scenes.

“I’ve seen her potential, and I see that she is enjoying it as well so for me, it’s like, if she’s loving it, and she’s got the talent then as a mum, I’m here to support her all the way,” she said.

“I’ll do everything, it’s a great experience and…it’s not just for her, the whole family is involved.”

The young Matamata singer was excited about her episode on “60 seconds” going to air and has her sights set on a career both in Aotearoa and around the world.

“I’m really excited for when it [episode] goes to air, I’ve been waiting for so long because we filmed it back in January. I just want to become a professional opera singer and tour around the world in places like Europe, France and sing in different opera houses, that’s what I want to do,” she said.

Jazz was recently named one of the Top 100 Global Child Prodigies for her opera singing and will be travelling to Dubai later this April. She was also awarded The Arts and cultural award by the prestigious Girl Boss New Zealand.


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