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YOUNG BARITONE WITH OUTSTANDING POTENTIAL AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 01:10:00 +0000

Young Dunedin based baritone Kawiti Waetford has been awarded the inaugural Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarship as the singer judged to have outstanding potential for an international singing career. He was selected from 15 very talented young singers including 5 who had contested the 2012 Lexus Song Quest Finals. They all participated in the recent national masterclasses tour conducted by distinguished Welsh tenor Dennis O’Neill (the chief judge for the Song Quest). The scholarship sponsored by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation carried a cash prize of $15,000 for international study.

Announcing the result Dennis O’Neil commented that the standard of singing in the 2012 Lexus Song Quest Final was higher and more consistent than most other international competitions that he had judged. “I relished the opportunity to work again with the 5 outstanding young singers who were in the final along with other non finalists. I was impressed with their ability to respond and develop through the master-classes themselves. I was also impressed with their great talent and musicianship”.

“Making the decision about this award at the conclusion of the master-classes was no easy task but having considered firstly voice, then musicianship, stage charisma and the ability to connect strongly with an audience I was pleased to award the scholarship to Kawiti Waetford. I have very high hopes to this young man’s development and emergence as one of New Zealand’s great opera singers.”

For more information, please contact:

Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Administrator, Paul Gleeson on 09 5349398 or 0275 944 534

Picture caption: Scholarship winner Kawiti Waetford with Welsh tenor Dennis O’Neill

FOUNDATION SUPPORTS NEW ZEALAND SINGING SCHOOL

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 01:10:00 +0000

The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation recently announced significant support for the 2013 New Zealand Singing School through a naming rights sponsorship of its Festival of Song. The Festival of Song is the programme of concerts that come out of each New Zealand Singing School: Te Wānanga Toi Waiata.

The Singing School which is based at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Taradale (Hawkes Bay)includes 11 days of masterclasses, technical sessions, lectures and a lot of singing practice. In just that short time, students of the School perform in the 9 concerts and a church service which make up the Festival of Song. Six of the concerts are in-house concerts performed on campus at the and ensures all students get a chance to perform solo in front of an audience. The 3 larger concerts are the Cabaret Concert with a musical theatre and contemporary singing repertoire, the Classics Concert with a classical and opera repertoire and the final Gala concert which showcases the best of the school across the streams of classical and contemporary singing.

“Funding the School and Festival is a continuing challenge, and without the support of organisations such as the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, School fees would be around double what they are”, says New Zealand Singing School Chairperson Eileen von Dadelszen.”

“The support of the Foundation is a real honour and I think it’s a reflection of the calibre of faculty we appoint for each School and the ability of the students and their achievements following the School” she said.

Dame Kiri said ‘ the Foundation’s motivation for getting involved was to show its support for this important biennial school which has for nearly 30 years provided a platform for many of our finest young singers to develop their talents within a supportive environment and in a number of cases to launch their own international careers’.

BEQUESTS – LEAVING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:32:00 +0000

Few people today will be familiar with the name Dorothy Francis Craig, yet this little known New Zealander played an important role in the establishment of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. At the time that the Foundation was being established a bequest of £20,000 was received from the executors of her estate – Dorothy had been a great fan of Dame Kiri. So Dorothy provided the Foundation’s first bequest and what better way is there to reflect your love of music.

Leaving a bequest is a simple procedure that allows you to include the Foundation as a beneficiary of your will. Bequests are usually directed to the Foundation for use at the trustee’s discretion but they can also be directed towards a specific purpose such as a music scholarship for a talented singer, musician or conductor identified by the trustees as meeting all the required criteria. Leaving a gift in your will is one way to make the type of gift that you may not be able to make during your lifetime.

If you’d like to discuss this matter further or would like sample language for your lawyer please contact the Foundation office.

YOUNG WELLINGTON TENOR JOINS AUSTRALIAN OPERA

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:25:00 +0000

Wellington tenor Jonathan Abernethy (pictured), whom the Foundation has been supporting through tuition and travel grants has been offered an exceptional opportunity to join Opera Australia’s Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Programme for the 2012 – 2013 season. Jonathan will be performing the role of Normanno in the opening 2012 season of Lucia di Lammermoor and will be joining the other young artists in a recital a few days following opening night. As a young artist he will spend the year immersed in the workings of a busy opera company under the tutelage of experienced opera artists.

Although somewhat nervous about what will be an extremely busy and challenging year ahead, he is extremely excited about all the opportunities and experiences it entails. Jonathan will perform in a special fundraising recital at St John’s in the City, Wellington, on Sunday the 29th July at 4pm. He will be joined by soprano Amelia Berry and fellow Foundation grant recipient baritone Kawiti Waetford – they will be accompanied by Terence Dennis.

FOUNDATION WELL REPRESENTED AT WINDSOR RECITAL

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:22:00 +0000

The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation was recently well represented at a prestigious private recital hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Frogmore House, Windsor for a small special group of donors of The Outward Bound Trust, of which HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is the Patron.

Dame Kiri had been invited for this recital personally and invited fellow Foundation trustee Professor Terence Dennis to be her accompanist. At very short notice Terence made the trip to the UK with the encouragement and financial support of the University of Otago. Terence is currently Professor and Head of Classical Performance Studies at the University of Otago Department of Music. He has accompanied Dame Kiri in recital many times – in NZ, Australia and Hawaii. The recital included works by Handel and Vivaldi, songs by Liszt in French and Italian, Canteloube’s Chants d’ Auvergne and a selection of English folk songs and concluded with Puccini.

The concert was so successful that the Outward Bound Trust has agreed to promote Dame Kiri in two further recitals later this year with funds being shared between the Trust and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.

Photo caption: –HRH The Duke of Edinburgh with Dame Kiri & Terence Dennis.

PHILLIP RHODES ON A ROLE

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:20:00 +0000

The Foundation continues to support young New Zealand baritone Phillip Rhodes who recently sang the title role in the brand new opera Hôhepa for The NBR New Zealand Opera at the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival. In a recent letter to the Foundation Phillip passed on the good news that he will be singing the role of Conte di Luna in the Dorset Opera’s production of Il Trovatore in July. New Sussex Opera have also asked him to perform the role of Frank in their semi-staged version of Puccini's Edgar in September/October and Opera North have offered him the role of Aeneas in Handel's Dido and Aeneas and also the cover of Iago in their production of Verdi's Otello in Jan/Feb. Things are really starting to happen for Phillip.

KIRI TE KANAWA RETIREMENT VILLAGE PASSES THE TEST

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:16:00 +0000

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa recently captivated her Gisborne hometown crowd as she sang some of her favourite songs when she attended the official opening of the Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village on a Foundation related visit.

Speaking to the residents and invited guests before her performance, Dame Kiri said she wanted to first take them back to her ordinary background when she was raised in this “wonderful town” until the age of 12.

“I was adopted by two amazing people, one Maori and one white.” She was proud to see the huge developments in the Maori people and culture, as she remembered a language that was not allowed to be spoken “ever . . . ever” while she was growing up.“ They suffered but how wonderful it is to see Maori developing.”

Dame Kiri said she had had roses, bridges, trains, parrots and dogs named after her and having a retirement village in her name was “supreme”.

“I have a building named after me and I am actually eligible to check in. I congratulate you on an amazing building and I thank you so much for inviting me. I’m really, really thrilled.”

After her performance, Dame Kiri mingled with the residents and invited guests.

Credit Gisborne Herald. Dame Kiri pictured with Jean Milton (left) and Rose Doleman (right).

YOUNG NEW ZEALAND TENOR STUDYING IN CARDIFF

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:37:00 +0000

Darren Pene Pati is a 24yr old Samoan-born tenor living in New Zealand. In the past two years he has won the Sydney Eisteddfod Macdonalds Aria, the prestigious NZ Aria in Rotorua where he also received the ‘Most Promising Voice’ award and the Performing Arts Competition Society ‘NZ Young Performer of the Year’ award. Last year he accepted an invitation to study under Dennis O’Neill at the Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff. At the time of acceptance he said “my time at the Academy of Voice”will provide me with the necessary time to consolidate my vocal technique and provide performance opportunities and a platform of exposure in the UK and European opera market. This will be the most important time of my development, and a time I know will carve the way for the rest of my career. Working with Dennis in this environment will set me up with a proper bel canto technique.”

Earlier he had attracted the attention of Dame Kiri who spent time mentoring and advising him about his technique and career. The Foundation is providing grants for his tuition and living expenses to support his first year in Cardiff. Further mentoring time with Dame Kiri followed including a recent invitation to spend a weekend at her home alongwith other selected young talented singers. Afterwards Darren sent the following message to the Foundation.

“I would like to offer my thanks to Dame Kiri for hosting myself along with our amazing reptiteur Jane Samuel and an amazing soprano and colleague of the academy, Angharad Fortey.

The weekend that just passed was a great escape for me, let alone for the three of us. It was a weekend to relax, yet, the hard yards were still put in through amazing work with the Dame herself and especially with Robin Stapleton. It was a great privilege to work with him and his vast knowledge of opera and language, even if it meant being shouted at. I’ve actually learnt a lot in this small weekend! My biggest change, or the moment I thought that really stuck out for me was singing the Strauss. I sung it out fully and the feedback I got back instantly was ‘why are you singing full blast??’ This was actually a light bulb moment for me, because I have always sung full out because of the mentality of just wanting to sound loud!

I regard Dame Kiri as one of my mentors, if anything, my biggest mentor. She has guided me from the start and has been there throughout the journey. She has been a great inspiration and I always feel so privileged and honoured that she has great interest into seeing me through to a professional career. Thank you Kiri for letting me roam freely though your house. Thank you for the weekend and thank you for housing us. Thank you for the amazing meals but mostly, thank you for a weekend of hardwork.”

Photo caption – Darren at a subsequent weekend at Dame Kiri’s home – from left to right: Sharne Phillips, Angharad Morgan (Wales), Darren Pene, Dame Kiri, Gordana Kostic (Serbia) (2nd fro right),Clair Filer (NZ) and Robin Stapleton.

FOUNDATION PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FOR 2012 LEXUS SONG QUEST

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:34:00 +0000

The Lexus Song Quest is New Zealand’s most prestigious song contest. During its 56 year history it has provided a platform for many talented New Zealand singers including Dame Malvina Major, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to launch international opera careers.

The distinguished Welsh tenor Dennis O’Neill (pictured) has been secured as the Chief Judge for the 2012 competition – the final will be held in Wellington on August 30.

The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation have committed over $50,000 in support of the 2012 contest and the 4-city masterclass tour led by Dennis O’Neill - to help the competition reach its full potential.The Lexus Masterclasses sponsored by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation will be held in Wellington (31 August), Auckland (September 3), Dunedin (September 7) and Christchurch (September 5). Singing teachers, their students and the general public are encouraged to attend and observe free of charge. At the conclusion of the tour Dennis O’Neill will select one of the masterclass participants who will receive the Kiri Te Kanawa scholarship for advance studies.

PROFESSOR JACK RICHARDS – FOUNDATION PATRON

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:31:00 +0000

Following a meeting with Dame Kiri last year Professor Jack Richards responded to her invitation to support the Foundation on an ongoing basis. He was subsequently named Associate Patron in recognition of this commitment. As a Foundation Patron Professor Richards takes great interest and pride in the Foundation’s activites and featured in the recently produced DVD. Aria asked him why he is such an enthusiastic supporter. He told us...

“As a sponsor of a number of ventures in music and the arts, I often get requests for support from young singers who are seeking to further their studies abroad. In the past I have had to make decisions about who to offer support to and for what purposes - decisions that are difficult for me to make without proper advice. I was therefore delighted when Dame Kiri invited me to work with her through her Foundation, since I can leave the Foundation to make decisions about the kind of support best suited to emerging opera singers' needs.

Singers who receive the Foundation's support can not only count on Dame Kiri's mentoring and advice, but also benefit from guidance from other world-class singers and voice coaches - an experience I was able to witness first-hand when I recently had the chance to spend a day watching a number of young singers working with Dame Kiri and some of her colleagues. So by contributing to the Dame Kiri Foundation I am able to provide support that has a much greater impact than anything I could offer on my own.”

DVD WILL HELP PROMOTE FOUNDATION’S WORK

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:23:00 +0000

The Foundation now has a 6 minute DVD which will be used for promotional and educational purposes. It was produced for the Foundation by Robert Hagen from Arts & Entertainment Productions. Robert was the Producer of the documentary ‘Rhodes actor singer’ which traced the inspiring journey of Phillip Rhodes from a childhood of violence and despair to the international world of Opera and his contact with Dame Kiri and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Much footage included in the DVD was filmed at Dame Kiri’s home during a recent weekend with young students. A copy of the documentary is included as a bonus track on the DVD disc. Follow this link to view the DVD >>>

TALENT IS A GIFT

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:19:00 +0000

Those who have been blessed with it deserve the opportunity to nurture and develop it to the full. We need your help, to help them ... to live their dreams.

Donations to the Foundation of any size are always welcome and very important for the continued aim of supporting talented singers and musicians. Regular contributions are particularly important

The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation (UK) are registered charitable trusts which offer a range of opportunities to support their work. Further information about how to make a donation is on the website or contact the Foundation for details.

LEXUS SONG QUEST TALENT STUNS PRELIMINARY JUDGES

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:14:00 +0000

As this edition of Aria goes to press the names of the 12 semi-finalists in the 2012 Lexus Song Quest were announced. The list includes young Dunedin based baritone Kawiti Waetford (pictured) who has been supported by the Foundation for nearly 3 years and mentored by Dame Kiri. In 2011 with the support of the Foundation he attended the Georg Solti Accademia di Bel Canto in Italy. Eminent NZ bass-baritone Preliminary Judge Rodney Macann (a Foundation Trustee) said “ NZ continues to punch above its weight when it come to the production of world-class opera singers.

Hearing the latest crop of outstanding young singers in the Lexus Song Quest convinces me that the future is looking very bright indeed.”

The six finalists will be announced on July 14.

ICONIC NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR NAMED

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:56:00 +0000

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was recently named the Iconic New Zealander of the Year at the 2012 World Class New Zealand Awards. The annual awards are a celebration of New Zealand innovators and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the country’s growth and development. The Iconic New Zealander of the Year Award is a new special category launched this year at the World Class New Zealand Awards.

Kea Global board member and Chair of judges John Stace said New Zealand is proud of Kiri Te Kanawa, who has conquered the hearts of people worldwide with her beautiful voice and outstanding singing talent. “Kiri is undoubtedly an iconic New Zealander who makes us all feel proud with her magnificent success and achievements that cross international boundaries.”

Accepting the award Dame Kiri told guests that her main focus now is working with the Foundation to bring through the next generation of classical singers. She was delighted with the depth of talented singers she has been working with. To view the presentation and interview with Dame Kiri >>>

Photo caption – Left to right - David McLean, General Manager of Private Wealth and Insurance at Westpac who presented the award with Dame Kiri, Sir Don McKinnon

KAWITI WAETFORD COMPLETES A GOOD YEAR

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:54:00 +0000

Twenty-one year old New Zealand baritone, Kawiti Waetford is about to complete his second year of study at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He is studying for a double degree in music, linguistics and languages, under Isabel Cunningham and Professor Terence Dennis.

In 2010 he was the recipient of several prestigious scholarships, including the Allens Educational Foundation Scholarship; and the University of Otago Maori and Pacific Island Scholarship. Earlier this year Kawiti was awarded the Ngarimu VC and Maori Battalion Scholarship for 2011.

His attainments and potential were recognised with grants from the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation for travelling and tuition expenses and a scholarship to attend the 2011 Solti Te Kanawa Accademia Del Bel Canto in Tuscany. To read Kawiti’s report on his Tuscany experiences >>>

Other highlights for Kawiti during 2011 included the invitation to be a guest soloist (along with NZ tenor Simon O’Neill and internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano Frederica von Stade) in a unique concert given by Dame Kiri to raise funds for Southern Opera and the Christchurch Symphony after the September 2010 earthquake. In October he joined Dame Kiri (and NZ baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes) to sing at the Rugby World Cup Gala Concert arranged by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in association with the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.

Earlier this year he was the subject of a short documentary which was screened on Maori Television. To view this documentary >>>

ANY MUSIC STUDENT TAKING PART IN A MASTERCLASS WITH A TOURING SUPERSTAR LIKE KIRI TE KANAWA WOULD CONSIDER THE EXPERIENCE ITSELF THE REWARD (The Australian, October 12, 2011)

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:50:00 +0000

So Carlos Barcenas, a Colombian tenor currently studying in Melbourne, was still stunned that such an opportunity had come his way. On Sunday one of the world’s most famous sopranos was holding a public masterclass with six students from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music when the moment came for Barcenas to perform. He sang Puccini's E lucevan le stelle from Tosca and Te Kanawa, currently on a tour of Australia, was blown away.

She got in touch with Barcenas the next day and asked him to join her on tour."She's been completely lovely with me," the 37-year-old said today. "She's been a really good person. She's supported me and been really nice."

Last night Barcenas took the stage at the Melbourne Town Hall as part of Te Kanawa's concert.

She was also joined by another special guest, NZ baritone Phillip Rhodes, and accompanied by pianist Terence Dennis, but it was the presence of Barcenas that was the story of the night.

Te Kanawa asked the tenor to sing the aria he had sung at the masterclass, and to sing it again when she performed at the outdoor concert in the Hunter Valley.

Barcenas, who recently performed in the nation's first indigenous musical Pecan Summer, and next year will take on the title role in the Victorian Opera's production of Master Peter's Puppet Show, said the exposure was invaluable. He also said Te Kanawa's praise served as a validation for his chosen career.

"When someone of the calibre of a worldwide performer says she wants you to sing with her, it's reassuring that you're doing something well and that you can be a professional singer in the world," he said.

A few hours before taking the stage, though, he admitted to a few nerves about the high-profile engagement. "I have to say, when I got the information I was like, 'Oh god, that's quite big.' You get nervous for a while."

Caption: Masterclass students – Carlos Barcenas back of group

MARKETING EFFORT CREATES INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:47:00 +0000

‘Talent is a gift…to be nurtured and developed’ is the theme of a campaign aimed at creating awareness for the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation and its objectives. The full page colour advertisement and associated editorial has so far appeared in programmes for the 2011 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition and all Dame Kiri’s recent concerts and recitals in Australia and New Zealand. To view the advertisement >>>

TALENT IS A GIFT

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:44:00 +0000

Those who have been blessed with it deserve the opportunity to nurture and develop it to the full. We need your help, to help them ... to live their dreams.

Donations to the Foundation of any size are always welcome and very important for the continued aim of supporting talented singers and musicians.

Regular contributions are particularly welcome and recently the Foundation was delighted to welcome Professor Jack Richards as an Associate Patron in recognition of his long term commitment of support for the Foundation.

Your donations are important.

YOUNG SINGERS APPRECIATE UNIQUE MENTORING OPPORTUNITY

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Back in 2004 when the Foundation was created the original focus was naturally on raising funds. It did not take Dame Kiri and the trustees too long to realize that in addition to financial support most young singers need judicious mentoring, help with vocal technique and voice maintenance, advice about media and agents and stage craft.

As a result Dame Kiri sets aside time to mentor and coach small groups of singers at her home – usually in the company of selected professional colleagues who also share their knowledge and experience. Here is feedback from 3 New Zealanders who attended a recent weekend at Dame Kiri’s home...

“We just had an absolutely wonderful time out at Kiri's house this weekend. The combination of coaches worked really well and we got some very good intensive work done. I was incredibly happy to be introduced to conductor Robin Stapleton, whom I'm hoping to continue working with in London, and as always Peter Lockwood had insightful contributions throughout the weekend - hoping to go spend some time working with him in Amsterdam as well if possible. Also, Michael Pollock, though mainly playing this weekend, was very generous in taking us aside to work a few things through, and I hope to work further with him also. Thank you again to the Foundation for sponsoring these weekends”. (Joanna Foote).

“It was a really good weekend. The combination of Peter Lockwood and Robin Stapleton was certainly dynamic, and to say the least hard-core. We were given a good grilling, but of the most helpful kind, and having Michael Pollock supporting us on the Piano was also such a privilege, and made all the difference. Dame Kiri was as always warm and incredibly hospitable”(Claire Egan).

“The crew filming my TV documentary was with me for 8 days ending with the two day workshop at Dame Kiri's home. Much thanks must go to Kiri for opening her home to the crew during this time, I realise she is a woman that holds her privacy very dear and rightly so. It was a tough weekend with Robin Stapleton, Peter Lockwood, Michael Pollock and Dame Kiri tearing strips of all four singers. I truly believe that in order to get the best out of any coach simply put 2 or more in one room with a singer and turn a camera on! It was an exhausting experience but valuable none the less. It's times like those that I am so grateful to own a recorder, as I have so much information on that small device to decipher through, information that only a genius could retain in an hour. To give you an idea of it, just imagine four gym sessions squeezed into one, or better yet texting while riding a push-bike on the motorway...blindfolded!” (Phillip Rhodes).

HAWAII MASTERCLASS & FUNDRAISER

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:41:00 +0000

During a recent concert tour in Hawaii Dame Kiri took time out to help local students and some fundraising activity. Aria asked Karen Tiller, Executive Director of Hawaii Opera Theatre to describe what happened … “Hawaii opera patrons were thrilled by the recent appearances of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in Honolulu and on the island of Maui. Though her public concerts were the highlight of her time here, she also participated in two events that were educational in nature... something truly dear to her.

Dame Kiri began her work in the islands with a Masterclass with students from the University of Hawaii as well as artists who are part of the Hawaii Opera Theatre Orvis Studio Program. Dame Kiri worked with 6 young artists for over three hours... imparting wisdom and constructive criticism. The students were gushing after the event, one saying, "It is just incredible to have one-on-one time with one of the greatest singers in opera history."

Neiman Marcus of Honolulu hosted a special dinner in honor of Dame Kiri and Hawaii Opera Theatre. Seventy-Five patrons enjoyed a small mini-recital and conversation with the artist. True to form, Dame Kiri wowed this group not only with her incredible musical artistry, but her generous conversation about her life, career and foundation. Speaking for nearly 40 minutes, every patron felt by the end of the evening, they had real insight into her life. It was an incredibly special night with proceeds supporting both the Hawaii Opera Theatre and The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation in equal measure.

Hawaii loved everything she did in the islands... we can't wait until she comes back!”