Multi-talented singer also a Massey marvel

Rugby World Cup songstress Elizabeth Marvelly has spoken about how she combines her career with study through Massey University’s extramural programme.

The 22-year-old, who won hearts of the nation when she performed the national anthem at Eden Park in the All Blacks’ semi-final, decided to return to university after hearing her friends enthuse about their studies.

Rotorua-born Marvelly, described by the Prime Minister as a “national treasure”, enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology.

In an interview with TV One’s Good Morning programme, the classical crossover star said she had worked really hard at school and achieved university entrance at sixth form, but made a decision to pursue her music career.

“I have been able to step away from that quite rigid tertiary mindset. But a lot of my friends are at uni, they would be talking about what they were learning in lectures and I was like ‘oh that is really interesting’.

“I am studying through Massey and it is all extramural. It means that I can actually study and I can learn about all those interesting things but I can do it while on tour or when I’m recording.”

Marvelly, who is also a sh’bam instructor at Les Mills, is now heading to Taiwan on a tour with British opera star Paul Potts.