sentences:  O'Neill was born in Ashburton, New Zealand, and received his musical training at the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with an honours degree in music, before receiving scholarships to the Manhattan School of Music (where he earned a Master of Music degree in 2000) and the Juilliard Opera Center.In late 2016 he was awarded Doctor of Music (Honoris Causa) from Victoria University of Wellington.O'Neill was appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours.