Rotorua’s Sam Armstrong, right, has been travelling around the world as a professional performer.
Rotorua’s Sam Armstrong, right, has been travelling around the world as a professional performer.
Sam Armstrong is making his mark on the international stage - with an ironic twist.
Born and bred in Rotorua, the former Rotorua Boys' High School student is travelling the world as part of a successful singing trio, The Aussie Boys.
The group has just finished a sellout tour of Spain, Italy, France, China, Korea and Japan, having performed on cruise ships and famed venues, and is preparing for a big concert in Melbourne in November.
The Aussie Boys formed four years ago and Armstrong got his big break when he auditioned to join the two Australians in May this year.
"I auditioned and within two weeks I was on a plane travelling around Europe singing as part of the group. It all happened so fast, it's been surreal actually," he said. "It's ironic, too, being in The Aussie Boys but coming from New Zealand."
Armstrong started singing in a show called On Broadway at Rotorua's Civic Theatre with Lizzie Marvelly, before performing in several shows, including Les Miserables and Jekyll and Hyde, with Rotorua Musical Theatre and JPC Players.
In 2010 he moved to Christchurch to study for a Bachelor in Performing Arts at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art, graduating with top marks. During his study he performed as a soloist for Christmas in the Park in 2012.
After graduating he moved to Melbourne to pursue a career as a performer - though it wasn't easy. "It was really hard work to get where I am. I think anyone who moves overseas will understand that it's a hard slog moving and getting to where you want to be. I mean my first job over there was packing boxes. It was the worst job I've ever had."
He now felt like he was living the dream, getting paid to travel and do what he loved most - performing.
He's also had the opportunity to perform among some of Australia's biggest stars.
He even appeared in Kylie Minogue's music video for her latest song I Was Gonna Cancel and performed alongside her at the Australian Logie Awards.
As for the future, he hopes to one day land a lead role in a musical in London's West End. His dream would be to play Raoul from The Phantom of the Opera.
He said he owed much of his success to people in Rotorua who had helped him realise his passion for performing, including the Rotorua Musical Theatre, JPC Players and the late Robert Young.
"It was Robert Young who really helped me believe I could perform professionally and I'm so thankful for that."
