Warrnambool's Louise Keast has made history as the first combined winner of the city's Eisteddfod Aria competition and the first local to take out the award since 1995.
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Ms Keast was announced the joint winner of the competition alongside Bundoora's Jiayao Sun at Warrnambool's Christ Church on Sunday.
The pair claimed the coveted title after impressing the audience and adjudicator Margaret Dalglish with their powerful performances.
Ms Dalglish said choosing this year's winner was the most difficult decision she had made in her close to 50 Eisteddfod adjudications.
"There was just so much wonderful talent in this room. Everyone had something special to offer," she said.
It was the second time Ms Keast had competed in the Warrnambool event, after making it into the final six the year before.
"I have been competing all over Australia this year so it's really special to have won here in Warrnambool," she said.
"Usually I'm traveling around and staying in hotels. This time around I could take a break and just go home and sit on the couch with my dog. I knew about half of the people sitting in the audience, so it was really nice to have so much support and to be able to perform in front of my friends."
Ms Keast said this year's Eisteddfod had produced a really high standard of competition.
"It was so hard to predict who would win so I was very surprised when they announced that we had both won," she said.
For Ms Sun, it was the second time she had competed in front of an audience.
"I can't believe it," she said of her win.
"It means a lot to me. It gives me confidence to keep studying and working on my opera singing."
The winners will split the prize money and take home $2000 each.
Ms Keast plans to use the money during a six-week training program, where she will travel to Italy to learn from the world's best opera coaches.
"Anything left will go straight into lessons with Liane Keegan, who is one of the best coaches in the world," she said.
"I am so fortunate to be able to learn from her but it is a big financial commitment, so the prize money is very helpful."
Ms Keast started singing opera at 18 and for the past two years has dedicated herself to making a career out of it.
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Jessica Howard
jessica.howard@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
jessica.howard@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
