Chasing your dream is always easier said than done - but it's paid off for Katie Trigg.

Her desire to be the best vocalist she can be has taken her from Hamilton to Philidelphia - with a brief yet career-altering trip home to compete in the 2024 Lexus Song Quest.

In a classy final field at the Michael Fowler Centre, Trigg has emerged victorious in Aotearoa's most prestigious opera competition - adding her name to a talented list of former champions and with $50,000 for professional development purposes added to her bank account.

Of her win, Trigg enthuses "This has been a tremendous ride from start to finish  - every single person in the semi-finals deserves a place here - they are all amazing. Thank you for one of the most memorable, incredible nights of my life."

The Mezzo-soprano's dedication to her craft saw her complete a Bachelor of Music from the University of Waikato, before continuing her studies at the admired Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - a former winner of the Song Quest and now supporting the biennial event through her foundation - reflects “I won it in 1965 and like so many others, it gave my career a huge push. From the very start, it proved to be the gold standard – the setting in which the stars of tomorrow would shine brightly and brilliantly and Katie - indeed all of the finalists - did just that. I am excited to follow your journeys.”

Manase Latu was named runner-up after some crowd-pleasing performances, accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - which landed the Auckland-based Tongan tenor and 2018 finalist a $20,000 prize.

Countertenor and te reo Māori teacher Austin Haynes secured the $15,000 third-place spot, with fellow finalists Tayla Alexander (soprano) and Andrew Morgan-King (bass) each receiving $3,500.

All this year's finalists will now be hoping this proves a launch pad for successful careers like it has Song Quest alumni like Dame Malvina Major, Phillip Rhodes, Jonathan Lemalu and Sol3 Mio’s Amitai Pati.

International Head Judge, GRAMMY Award-winning lyric coloratura soprano Sumi Jo was impressed with the high standard of what she saw.

“The talent displayed by these young singers at this weekend's Grand Final Gala was outstanding, and each of them truly earned their spot in the Lexus Song Quest Grand Final. 

"While having a stunning voice with flawless tone, technique, and musicality is essential, it's equally important to shine with star quality and charisma that grabs the audience’s attention. (This) award recognises an exceptionally special artist.”