Grant Information
The Foundation’s primary aim is to assist New Zealand singers of recognizable ability to develop international careers. The entire thrust of our work is to recognise and support young singers who have what it takes to achieve world-class status in an extremely competitive arena of endeavour.
The Foundation does not generally accept unsolicited application for support and relies on recommendations of respected music teachers. However under certain circumstances we are prepared to give consideration to requests from students who meet the initial criteria and are seeking support to complete advanced classical vocal studies.
A document summarising the information required to consider special applications for funding along with a copy of the standard General Conditions which apply to all Foundation grants is available on request to the Foundation office.
Grant Recipients
Ana James soprano
Lyric coloratura soprano Ana James was the inaugural recipient of a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant (2004) to assist further study in Italy. A recent graduate of the Benjamin Britten International Opera School, Royal College of Music London, she studies with Lillian Watson. Ana is also a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, New York, where she studied with Marlena Kleinmann Malas. She was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme at the Royal Opera Covent Garden from September 2005 to July 2007.
Kerry Jago conductor
Young conductor Kerry Jago was the second recipient of a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant which allowed him to return from Germany to conduct the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in 2005. At that time Kerry had been studying for four years at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Hanover under Eiji Oue, the musical director of the North German Radio Philharmonic. He currently divides his time between Germany, where he has regular conducting engagements and Holland (The Hague) where he is in his third year of a four year degree studying singing as a counter-tenor.
Kirsten Simpson piano accompanist
Kirsten Simpson has received a number of grants from the Foundation – the first in 2005 which enabled her to attend the prestigious Solti Accademia di Bel Canto in Italy. This also marked the first co-operative grant, the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation joining with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation to jointly provide funding to enable Kirsten to complete the final term of her four-year course at the Royal College of Music.
Jenny Wollerman soprano & music teacher
In 2006 in a departure from its traditional support for individual singers and musicians, the Foundation took the innovative step of commissioning well-known New Zealand professional opera singer and teacher Jenny Wollerman to undertake a 3-month research trip to observe and absorb conditions in the United Kingdom and to then share this knowledge with music teachers and aspiring New Zealand students considering furthering their music education in the UK through a report and a series of seminars and personal contacts.
Phillip Rhodes baritone
Well known Gisborne baritone Phillip Rhodes (winner of the 2005 Lockwood Aria and the 2007 Lexus Song Quest) received a Foundation grant which enabled him to accept a place at the prestigious Cardiff International Academy of Voice. Since then he has received further Foundation grants to establish himself and continue his studies at the Academy and to attend the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia Summer School. These included the Laurie Coon Scholarship (2009) and a grant made in partnership with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and the Deane Endowment Trust.
Opera Factory Trust
Opera Factory is a training ground for young singers from as early as 10 years old. Many are encouraged by their own singing teachers, others attend at first with a friend. Classes and workshops are at all levels - from the most basic beginners to advanced musical, character and language work for those moving toward a professional opera career. Leading principal roles in Opera Factory productions offer opportunities for advanced singers to build stage skills, performance endurance, and repertoire. As well as singers, Opera Factory is a place for young pianists, musical and stage directors, costume, lighting and stage designers, theatre technicians and stage managers.
Kristen Darragh mezzo soprano
Kristen Darragh was awarded a Foundation grant to attend the 2008 Solti Te Kanawa Accademia di Bel Canto summer school in Tuscany. She subsequently graduated from the Opera Course at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she was awarded a Karaviotis Scholarship and received the Kobler Award. Kristen has performed regularly on the concert platform in the United Kingdom, most notably as the soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Requiem at London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields. In 2009 she was a finalist in the Lexus Song Quest, was invited to sing Carmen with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the role of Olga for The NBR New Zealand Opera’s production of Eugene Onegin. On receiving her Foundation grant Kristen wrote: “ I am so delighted to have this amazing opportunity – and eagerly await working with Dame Kiri and Frederica Von Stade on the Italian Bel Canto repertoire in such an inspiring environment. As I come to the end of my time as a student at the Royal Academy of Music I feel very grateful for the support I have received”.
Claire Egan lyric soprano
In 2008 the Foundation announced young lyric soprano Claire Egan as the winner of the 2008 Laurie Coon Foundation Scholarship which enabled her to take up an invitation to study at the prestigious Cardiff International Academy of Voice. Only 15 emerging singers from around the world are offered positions on the programme each year which includes the opportunity to be mentored by world class teachers, singers, conductors and singing coaches on a daily basis. At the time of the announcement Claire wrote: “I am very excited that my name will be associated with both Foundations and the backing of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa means more to me than the money. On a practical level the scholarship will provide me with the unique opportunity of attending the Cardiff Academy. It is a dream come true as well as a wonderful encouragement to continue my great passion of opera.”
Joanne Foote
In 2010 New Zealand soprano Joanna Foote received a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant to attend the prestigious Solti Te Kanawa Accademia di bel canto summer school in Tuscany. She subsequently secured a further grant for coaching lessons and expenses.
Kawiti Waetford
Twenty-year old New Zealand baritone, Kawiti Waetford, has just completed his first year of study at the University of Otago. He is studying for a double degree in music, linguistics and languages, under Isabel Cunningham and Professor Terence Dennis.
James Ioelu
James Ioelu is a 25 year-old baritone who began singing as an 18 year-old. Born in Auckland he grew up as a classically trained pianist. In his high school years he was given the opportunity to broaden his musical knowledge with the introduction to the bass guitar, jazz piano and drums as well as playing in a number of school music bands. It wasn’t until his later teen years that James discovered the art of classical singing and opera.
