Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation supports special tuition for Song Quest hopefuls
Posted on 22 June 2016
As part of a long-standing commitment to developing New Zealand’s best singing voices, the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation will sponsor a series of special Lexus Song Quest Masterclasses in July.
Tutored by esteemed Head International Lexus Song Quest Judge, Yvonne Kenny, the ten Song Quest semifinalists will enjoy an intensive week of individual coaching sessions in Wellington across 11-15 July. This one-on- one tuition with Yvonne will allow the students to focus on building singing technique and characterization, and provide an opportunity to discuss their individual study plans and proposals. The semi-finalists will work with Yvonne across Monday to Thursday with a day off for vocal rest before singing at two semi-final concerts in the capital on Sat 16 and Sun 17 July. Terence Dennis will be the pianist in session during the Masterclass week.
Around 50 contestants competed in the initial Lexus Song Quest round this year, with preliminary judge Patricia Price commenting on the high calibre of the applicants. "I arrived in NZ feeling hopeful and honored to have been invited to judge such a prestigious competition. My expectations were fully met! The organization was most impressive, and the singers we listened to were of the highest quality, vocally and artistically. It was a very satisfying experience indeed,” Patricia said.
The semifinalists have been named as Madison Nonoa (Soprano, Auckland), Imogen Thirlwall (Soprano, Wellington), Harry Grigg (Baritone, Dunedin), Filipe Manu (Tenor, Auckland), Tavis Gravatt (Bass Baritone, Auckland), Jarvis Dams (Baritone, Hamilton), Benson Wilson (Baritone, Auckland), Emily Mwila (Soprano, Wellington), Bradley Christensen (Baritone, currently overseas) and Sophie Sparrow (Soprano, Dunedin). Four of these talented young singers will compete on the night of 23 July at the Grand Final Gala in Auckland where one will be awarded the 2014 Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Scholarship of $15,000 for ‘Outstanding Potential’, to be used towards their overseas study.
The Foundation also supports a second Masterclass at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall to be held on the afternoon of Sunday 24 July, where singing teachers, their students and the general public are invited to attend and observe free of charge.