Welcome to the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Website
Welcome to our new look website. I hope you approve of the makeover, and that it truly reflects the progress we have made in the six years since we launched the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.
Six years. What a wonderful journey of hard work and untiring effort. A testimonial to my dedicated Trustees who deserve all the gratitude we can offer.
Our progress has been beyond all our initial expectations, and it is satisfying indeed to say that I believe we are beginning to make a difference. But we cannot be complacent about the task ahead of us. I was reminded about this recently when I was given a life time achievement award at the Classical Britt Awards and I felt very proud to receive it. I did comment at the time that it was an achievement and it had taken a life time of hard work and discipline – and this is how I view the Foundation. After 6 years we are just beginning and it may take a life time to complete all we want to achieve.
Along the way, I’m proud that we have learnt to adapt to meet the changing needs of students, many of whom are just starting on their careers. When I look back, I recall our original focus was on raising the important funds to enable us to make significant grants. However I soon realized that in addition to financial support what these singers needed was help with vocal technique, knowledge of vocal management, good health habits and the ability to know when to say “no”.
I have also become aware of the increasing importance of our students being prepared for a role. This process must give young singers an opportunity to gauge if the role suits them taking time to slowly get the muscles to work around the music.
An important part of our learning has also been that talent is not enough. This came to me in a fascinating interview I read given by Mary Wilson, an original member of the Supremes, who said “we needed to know how to carry ourselves, and this is something missing in today’s market strategies. You can’t just throw someone out there because they are talented.”
In any environment in which there are so many people willing to help, I have always underlined with our students the importance of saying thank you, and to acknowledge anything that is done for them.
There are so many good people out there ready and willing to help in so many ways.
Finally, may I acknowledge the talent and dedication of our students. It is such a pleasure to be involved with young people who are committed to their dreams and will work hard to make them come true. That is precisely why the Foundation will endure and prosper.
It is also why my work and the support I can give in nurturing our young talent is such an honour and a privilege. May it long continue.
Sincerely
