Richard Bonsall, New Zealand's boy soprano, began his training as a soloist with the New Zealand Boys Choir and continued with the Belmont Singers of Auckland.  Richard won the Junior Vocal Championships at the  Auckland Competitions three times and in 1969 also won the Children's Vocal Championships at the North Shore Competitions.  In 1970 he won the North Shore Mardi Gras Junior Talent Quest.  Radio broadcasts and two appearances on television's "On Camera" added to Richard's experience, culminating in his success on Chris Bourn's national television programme, "Studio One: 1970."

For his years, Richard had also had considerable stage experience, having taken the lead role in a number of productions: Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Emperor and his Nightingale, The Bride of Seville (adapted from Rossini's Barber), Pinnochio and the Children's Crusade.  Richard's interest in music is very wide in scope and was perpetuated beyond his soprano years in his playing of piano, oboe and clarinet.

Richard Bonsall with his family: (L-R) Julia, Richard, James (14), Max (11)...and Dino!

Richard gained a BA in Japanese Language and Music while at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.  In 1977 he was awarded a diploma in Japanese Language and Literature by the Osaka University of Foreign Studies and in 1979 an MA in Japanese Language and Ethnomusicology by the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts.

Since that time, Richard has had a wealth of experience in senior business management and now lives in New York with his wife and two sons. Richard Bonsall recently auditioned for the Julliard School and was accepted for a degree course in Voice.