Welcome to the 12th edition of Aria – the newsletter of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation

In this newsletter you will read the good news about UK visas, a special fundraising concert in Christchurch, the appointment of our Musical Advisor and student’s reactions to a day’s mentoring with Dame Kiri. You will also read about the grants made during 2010, a special tribute to Dame Joan Sutherland and the extraordinary story about an NFL player and his first passion – opera.

• Dame Kiri shares her thoughts on 2010 and the good news about UK visas for young NZ singers >>>
• Plans for a special fundraising concert in Christchurch are well under way. Dame Kiri will perform and has enticed a very special friend to sing as well >>>
• Another pair of ears and eyes will help assess young singers in the UK as well as offering career advice and local knowledge about the music colleges >>>
• Foundation trustee Stephen Dee now resident in the UK reports on a special concert he attended in London >>>
• Several times a year Dame Kiri takes time out from her international schedule to mentor and coach small groups of young singers studying in the UK and invites special colleagues to share their knowledge and experience >>>
• There were five Foundation grants during 2010 >>>
• NZSO's Pre World Cup Final Concert will be popular >>>
• We shall not see the like of her again – a special tribute to Dame Joan Sutherland >>>
• Talent is a gift – those who have it have been blessed and deserve the opportunity to nurture and develop their full potential >>>
• The amazing story about a young man who played NFL but dreamed of being an opera singer. His dream hinged on a chance meeting with Dame Kiri and a career change to follow his first passion – opera >>>
• It’s said we are put on this planet to live, love, learn and leave a legacy. Leaving a bequest is a simple procedure >>>
• Navidad Feliz, Noël Heureux, Natale Felice, Gelukkige Kerstmis, Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année. No matter what the language – it means the same thing >>>