‘Life-changing’: Enyah Talamaivao wins first New Zealand Youth Choir scholarship

For 22-year-old Sāmoan musician Enyah Talamaivao, a surprise Zoom call with the head of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand has taken some of the financial weight out of chasing her musical dreams.

The Ōtara singer was named the first recipient of the Infratil New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC) scholarship, covering her annual membership fees and helping fund the choir’s international tour in 2028.

“As soon as he told me about the news, I actually just put my head down and cried,” Talamaivao tells Pacific Days. “Honestly, God has been so good…I am just very humbled, still trying to process it.”

The scholarship comes as Talamaivao begins her second three-year term with the NZYC while studying classical voice and criminology at the University of Auckland.

For her, the support is about more than music. It means less financial pressure on her family.

Talamaivao was a member of the choir in 2025 when it earned international recognition, winning Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Gold at the European Choir Games in Denmark.

Watch Enyah Talamaivao's full interview below.

But reaching that level comes with costs, from flights, accommodation and national courses to uniforms, food, and daily transport.

For Talamaivao and her family, the scholarship brings what she describes as “life-changing” relief.

“A single course for New Zealand Youth Choir is not only flights, but if it's not in my city, then it's accommodation. And then it's also food to sustain you…paying for uniforms. It actually means a great deal for me, and it just helps relieve a lot of stress,” says Talamaivao.

The New Zealand Youth Choir will perfrom in Auckland on 6 September. Photo/Facebook

“Money that would be used on one of me can now go towards my entire family back here. As Pacific people, family comes first a lot of the time. After God, family means so much to us.”

Infratil Chief Executive Jason Boyes says supporting young talent like Talamaivao reflects the company’s values.

“People and communities sit at the heart of what matters to Infratil, and the New Zealand Youth Choir partnership and this scholarship are a clear expression of this approach,” he said in a statement.

“We are delighted to support Enyah’s continued journey with the choir and her promising music career.”

Talamaivao is also helping create more space for young Pacific women in classical music and leadership.

She has served as the Pasifika Conducting Intern for Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, interned with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and conducts for Sistema Aotearoa in South Auckland.

Enyah Talamaivao. Photo/Supplied

In many of these spaces, Talamaivao has been the first or only Pacific person in the role.

“But I don't want to necessarily be the end goal for a lot of Polynesians,” she says. “I think they can get inspiration from me. But I really pray and I hope that the next generation of Pacific musicians and Pacific artists are actually better than me.

“I think that they continue to get better and just continue to raise the bar and the standard for what other people have for Pacific musicians and what we have for ourselves.”

Talamaivao and the New Zealand Youth Choir will perform live on 6 September at All Saints Anglican Church in Howick, Auckland. Tickets are available here.