Will Martin is a classical crossover singer and pianist from Wellington, New Zealand, where he is born and later brought up in Auckland. He has Māori ancestry on his mother’s side, and he begins singing seriously in his teens. His family has no musical background.

Martin’s first album, A New World, releases in New Zealand and goes platinum within six weeks. The album includes “Into the West”, “If” and “Going Home”. He describes his approach as combining singing and piano with an entertainment focus, and says he wants to perform with a large orchestra behind him.

He signs a five-album deal with Universal Music in 2007, reportedly worth $3 million. His second album, Inspirations, releases in New Zealand in late 2010.