Nelson talent to sing for opera crowd

COLIN SMITH/The Nelson Mail

ON SONG: Nelson's Got Talent winner Jason Chasland, who will sing at Saturday's Opera in the Park.

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Jason Chasland will be fronting up to the largest audience of his life on Saturday night.

The Nelson's Got Talent competition winner will face the daunting task of singing to a crowd of thousands at Saturday's Opera in the Park.

"It's exciting. I find it actually more daunting singing in front of one person, so it is going to be quite magical."

Mr Chasland will join opera stars Simon O'Neill, Anna Leese and contemporary artists Hollie Smith and Whirimako Black.

"They are all artists that I have followed through their careers so it will be a bit surreal," he said.

Despite his talent, which has seen him perform in Australia, Hong Kong, London and the United States, it took a comment from his neighbour to convince Mr Chasland to audition for the competition.

"We have been telling him for years how good he is," his father Riki said.

His sister Samantha, who accompanied him to the audition, said she always had confidence in him.

"I heard him and just knew that he had won. He nailed it."

As part of his prize, Paul Harris Jewellers provided a diamond encrusted gold and palladium lapel badge to mark the occasion.

"We feel very proud to be part of this, and our contribution is our way of saying thank you for the huge amount of support we have had from Nelsonians," Mr Harris said.

It will be a quick turnaround for Mr Chasland, who flies to Australia this Sunday to perform in an opera.

- © Fairfax NZ News