Sophie Morris
Sophie Katarina Morris (born 7 June 1993) is a New Zealand singer, actor and presenter who performs within New Zealand and internationally. She was the first ever female to tour with The Ten Tenors, joining the group on their 'Wish You Were Here' Tour in 2018.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Morris was born and raised in Dunedin. She began singing aged 10 as Gretl in The Sound of Music.[3] She attended St Hilda's Collegiate School where she was Arts Prefect.[4] She trained in classical and contemporary voice at the University of Otago, gaining a Master's in music, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing.[5][6][7][8]
Career
[edit]Morris performs as a singer, actor and presenter.
Musical theatre roles performed include Jellylorum in Cats, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, Sophie in Mamma Mia and Sandy in Grease.[9]
New Zealand events performed at include Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, the APRA Awards[10] and Cruise for a Cause on Milford Sound.[11]
She has performed sell-out nights of her own shows Sophie Goes to Broadway and Sophie Morris on Stage.[5] She released her debut album Sophie Morris – Songs from the Stage in 2018.[12]
Morris performed Christmas carols for passengers on an Air New Zealand flight on Christmas Day in 2015 when returning to Dunedin to see her family.[13]
Morris presents as a newsreader, host, guest lecturer, guest speaker and narrator. She was a regular newsreader on Channel 39 and is often invited to speak about her career, the performance industry and provide advice and motivation.[14]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Morris created a show "Sophie Morris – Songs and Stories from the Stage" which was broadcast in a live stream from her living room. The show shared stories and music from her adventures as a performer. Proceeds of the performance went to Pet Refuge, a New Zealand charity.[15]
National Anthems
[edit]Morris has performed for many sporting events including the T20 Black Clash (with past and present members of the All Blacks and Black Caps), the Joseph Parker v Andy Ruiz WBO World Heavyweight Championship Title Fight, The Oceania Cup (Great Britain Rugby League Lions v Kiwis), the Rugby League Four Nations[16][17] and the Bledisloe Cup.
During the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand, Morris performed the Australian and New Zealand national anthems for television broadcast on ANZAC Day for viewers to sing along with at home in an ANZAC Day Tribute.[18]
Screen work
[edit]Morris played the role of Kaz McCarthy on New Zealand soap TV show Shortland Street in 2022,[19][20] and will appear as an ensemble member in Alex Ross Perry's 2024 film Pavements.
MC
[edit]Morris was involved with the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as a master of ceremonies.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Ten Tenors become 11 for NZ tour". Newshub. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Sophie Morris performs live". RNZ. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ sthildasoldgirls (29 November 2018). "Profile - Sophie Morris". sthildasoldgirls. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Profile – Sophie Morris". sthildasoldgirls. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ a b Fox, Rebecca (16 July 2015). "Finding her own voice". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Lucire Living: Hitting the high notes – The global fashion magazine". lucire.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Taylor, Margot (20 August 2016). "Master's degree hits right notes". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ School, Otago Business. "Profile: Sophie Morris". www.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Fox, Rebecca (11 April 2019). "Purrfect pleasure". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Down In Edin Issue13". Issuu. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Milford Sound echoes with opera for family centre charity". TVNZ. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "New Zealand singer Sophie Morris releases her first album, Songs from the Stage – Lucire". Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "Kiwi singer Sophie Morris treats passengers to impromptu Christmas concert on plane". Stuff. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Sophie Morris". Celebrity Speakers NZ. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Sophie Morris - fundraising for Pet Refuge". RNZ. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Cheshire, Jeff (10 December 2016). "Dunedin soprano to sing anthem before main event". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Classically contemporary". Good Magazine. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Chapman, Luke (24 April 2020). "ANZAC Dawn Tribute 2020". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ Shortland Street (TV Series 1992– ) - IMDb, retrieved 28 August 2023
- ^ "Entertainer keeping busy". Otago Daily Times Online News. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Sophie Morris". Essential Talent. Retrieved 28 August 2023.