Anna Hawkins

Featured in our Fall 2013 Issue

Official Biography

Known for her expressive vocals and moving interpretations, New Zealand singer and recording artist, Anna Hawkins is not one to be boxed, bringing a classical edge to the world of folk and pop. Her music and authentic passion have resonated with a growing audience around the world and have driven her in a brave new direction in 2017 as Anna performs and tours her latest offering ‘Bold, Brave & Beautiful.’

Set to be released later in March, Anna’s third album sees the animated performer promote a new phase of her career – songwriting. Drawing from a variety of musical inspirations, Anna maintains continuity with her iconic voice and inspirational song selection while experimenting with the style of her original material. Promising fans a colourful new album, ‘Bold, Brave & Beautiful,’ represents a more energetic approach, offering musical expression to the themes of freedom, courage and vulnerability.

“For me it represents having fun and being brave. I definitely enjoy finding new outlets and songwriting has helped take me in to new territory musically. I’m drawn to songs that move me over and above a specific genre of music. This is reflected in what I’ve performed over the years and especially in what I’ve sought to create with this album.”

Reviewers have compared Anna to the likes of folk singer/songwriter Loreena McKennitt, others the female version of Josh Groban. But as an artist her inspirations have been as varied as her performance styles. Her first public performance arrived at just 7 years of age where she became a regular entertainer in the NZ Country & Western music circuit.

“My heroes at the time were Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Wynonna. I also have fond memories of times spent in the family home jamming out Irish folk songs till the wee hours of the morning.”

At age 11 Anna began classical training and almost immediately received national awards for the unusual depth to her voice. It was in this environment that she began to appreciate and explore the classical and musical-theatre genres which became the foundation of her future performance career.

Indeed, Anna’s career journey has been fascinating. As a solo artist Anna has gone on to tour New Zealand with famed Welsh tenor Paul Potts, singing at the likes of ‘Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park’ ‘Sunset Symphony’ and ‘ASB Classical Sparks’ in Christchurch where she premiered her original ‘Journey On’ with the Christchurch Symphony at Hagley Park.  The list continues to include televised performances at ‘Rugby World Cup,’ ‘V8 Supercars,’ and festival slots such as ‘TSB Festival of Lights,’ ‘Katikati Twilight Festival,’ ‘Concert in the Vines’ ‘Auckland Seafood Festival,’ ‘Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival’ and ‘Concert in the Orchard’ at which she was welcomed back by popular demand 6 times.

Amongst this, Anna has also taken lead roles in musical theatre shows, Les Miserables, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde, Miss Saigon and most recently as ‘Christine’ in Ken Hill’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in Tokyo.

As an independent recording artist, Anna already has two other full-length albums to her name. The cinematic and Celtic-inspired ‘Journey On,’ (2013) followed up with a more traditional crossover album ‘Divine,’ (2015) which spent five weeks in the NZ album charts.

“First and foremost, for me, music is about connecting with people. This is my passion.”

New Zealand audiences will have ample opportunity to enjoy Anna’s new ‘Bold, Brave & Beautiful’ show as she hits the road in March & April touring 12 cities before heading back to her new base in the U.K.