Sophie Morris was born and bred in Dunedin, and attended St Hilda’s from 2004 until 2010.
She grew up dancing from a young age, but credits finding her love of being on the stage to being cast as Gretl (the youngest Von Trapp) in the St Hilda’s production of ‘The Sound of Music’ in her year 7 year. Performing in the shows sparked a total passion for the arts and she went on to undertake private singing training. Throughout her school years she was involved in the Madrigal choir, Sings Hilda choir, Stage Challenges, musicals and was an Arts Prefect in her final year.
Following high school, Sophie went on to study at Otago University, gaining a Bachelor of Music (First-Class Honours) in Classical Voice Performance and a Master of Music (Distinction) in Contemporary Voice Performance, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing.
Since graduating she has worked in a number of marketing roles (corporate, arts and digital) and works as a singer, actor and news presenter.
Career highlights include performances for Arts Festival Dunedin, Dunedin Fringe Festival, New Zealand International Early Music Festival, St Kilda Brass, City Choir Dunedin, Christchurch Southern Opera, Cruise for a Cause (Milford Sound), The Silver Scrolls, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and iD Fashion Week, as well as performing national anthems at various sporting events including the national provincial rugby championship final (Mitre 10 Cup), Rugby League Four Nations and the Parker v Ruiz WBO World Heavyweight Championship Title Fight.
Musical theatre and operatic roles she has performed include 'Sophie' in Mamma Mia (Showbiz Queenstown), 'Rapunzel' in Into the Woods (Fortune Theatre), 'Sandy' in Grease: The Arena Spectacular LIVE (DKCM and Taieri Musical), ‘Barbarina’ (cover) in Le Nozze di Figaro (Opera Otago), ‘Pamina’ in Magic Flute Moments (Otago University), ‘Queenie’ in Honk! (Taieri Musical) and Sharpay (cover) in High School Musical (Epiphany Theatre Productions).
Sophie has produced and performed sell-out nights of her own concerts “Sophie Goes to Broadway” and “Sophie Morris on Stage. In 2016 she released her debut album ‘Songs from the Stage’. Her biggest highlight this year was joining The Ten Tenors on their New Zealand Wish You Were Here Tour in May and June as part of their 20th Anniversary World Tour.
Find out more about Sophie here: www.sophie-morris.com