Aria Issue 23
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The newsletter of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Dame Kiri comments … ISSUE 23 | JULY 2017 Firstly let me say that the Trustees of my and we have always been there for her if Foundation have done me proud – the she needed help. inaugural year of The Kiri Programme Earlier this month I attended three Kiwi has been a wonderful success and the six performances – Julien Van Mellaert and students have benefited greatly from the Kieran Rayner at the Royal College and teaching that has been so well planned by then on to Grange Park to see Phillip Stephen Dee and the NZ and international Rhodes sing in Carmen – his first Escamillo. tutors. I know a lot of effort has gone in It was a really lovely production and behind the scenes and the students have Phillip did us proud. In the same cast was responded so well. It has given them an another of our students singing Mercedes insight into what the real world is like over – Filipa Van Eck – she was very expressive. here and what to expect in this world of We have many other students in the UK Classical Music. I was very disappointed and you will read about them later in to miss the celebration concert recently this newsletter. hosted by Dame Jenny Gibbs. The life of a singer is very tough. They I have just returned from Cardiff – as Patron have chosen a profession that is a massive CREDIT JOHN SWANNELL of the Cardiff Singer of the World, and I challenge. Although today’s singers are have to say that I was very impressed with more nurtured they have it tougher in the standard of singing throughout the many ways. There are more pressures and Welcome to the competition. My 10 days in Cardiff were less opportunities. More is demanded 23nd edition of Aria such a buzz – the singers were a real joy of them and there is more they have to Featured in this issue . and while they are all well on their way to conform to. Each and every one of them, very good careers the Competition provides Inaugural Kiri Programme 2 whether it be Thomas, James, Phillip, an unqualified success worldwide exposure for these singers who Julien, Kieran, Bianca or Louise look at me normally would not get the opportunity to Recognition of a caring 3 and say “Kiri this is such hard work’ so you active Patron sing in front of so many influential people. can imagine my answer …“Tell me about One voice that I found interesting was the Cover Award helps open door 3 it”. Good luck to all these beautiful singers for Covent Garden debut American baritone Anthony Clarke Evans. – may their dreams come true. Hard work paying off for 3 When I was invited to be Patron of this Finally I’d like to acknowledge those English soprano prestigious competition my main focus generous supporters who come forward Update on singers supported by 4-7 was to identify outstanding singers. anonymously to answer the needs of the The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation This year’s contest was just so amazing... singers – a recent example was the man Foundation determined to 8 each and every one of the 5 finalists was who offered James Ioelu his apartment share excellence outstanding. For me one singer in particular while he was working in London – these stood out – Louise Alder – and you can read unsung heroes deserve our grateful thanks. how well she performed later in Aria. We have been watching Louise for many years 1 BACK ROW: Filipe Manu, Jarvis Dams FRONT ROW: Natasha Wilson, Madison Nonoa, Katherine McIndoe, Eliza Boom Inaugural Kiri Programme an unqualified success July marks the completion of the first year of The Kiri Programme (our personalised training skills programme with six outstanding young singers preparing for overseas study). And what a year it has been! The feedback from the singers, coaches and mentors confirms this has been an outstandingly positive and effective initiative. Based around five modules The Programme provided training and Kathryn Harries commenting at the conclusion of the 5th module mentorship to improve the singer’s readiness to undertake advanced said “this programme has been an unqualified success and more than study abroad, compete with their international peers, and establish fulfilled its brief – it has been a privilege working with such gifted young sustainable professional careers. singers on this excellent and far-seeing project. To be so well equipped Each training module was centred around intensive and high-level with the tools necessary to survive, never mind prosper, is invaluable vocal coaching and repertoire development with outstanding vocal at this stage in any singers’ development. I, and my colleagues, have coaches such as internationally renowned opera singer and teacher, been very careful that we should not give these young artists false hope Kathryn Harries (who accepted the role as Programme Director and because it is a difficult and demanding profession. However, despite Principal Coach), Sharolyn Kimmorley, Terence Dennis and Catherine there being a perceived reduction in work opportunities world-wide Norton. In addition, the singers were privileged to work with leading for singers and musicians, there really is work out there for people with international language coaches, Teresa Desmarchelier (focusing on exceptional voices, outstanding musicianship and artistry, who arrive sung Italian and French) and Catrin Johnsson (German). Leading thoroughly prepared, whose languages are top notch and who maintain US opera director and teacher Chuck Hudson provided a five-day an amiable, professional and engaged attitude. Being a good colleague intensive acting and movement workshop, focusing on preparing the has never been more important.” young singers for auditions and competitions. “I was curious to see how far the first six Kiri Programme scholars had In addition to the musical and artistic development, The Programme come since I worked with them ten months ago. I can truly say that also provided working sessions with experts on essential business I was astonished by the huge journeys they have all made. Their and personal development skills such as fund raising; media training; vocal techniques, their individual expressiveness and their all-round self-management; budgeting; marketing and social media; CV self-confidence have developed to such a degree that they have totally writing; stress management and motivational training; psychometric justified the tremendous investment made in them. We went on to testing; personal grooming and presentation; business behaviours; work for seven consecutive days with great focus and intent on all sides finding and managing mentors. and – again – the progress was remarkable. They are a very intelligent, The first four modules explored a particular aspect of the singer’s determined and diligent group of people who ask all the right questions craft – repertoire development, the language of singing, acting and and who take on board everything that they are offered.” movement, and the business of singing. The fifth and final module Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation deputy chair, Diana Fenwick, says concentrated on putting all of the skills together - and polishing them. The Programme prepares to enter its second year with optimism The singers worked hard during the modules, often doing three or and a sense of achievement. “We would like to thank the generous four coaching sessions every day, in addition to the group workshop individuals and trusts that have made continuing commitments to help sessions. They understood and appreciated the opportunity they ensure the best possible results. They see the Foundation’s programme were given to work intensively with leading tutors. Although we as a credible vehicle for investment in the future of our young singers.” don’t claim all the credit for the substantial improvement that we noticed in each singer’s performance skills over the course of the Every year the group of young singers will have different challenges year, there is no doubt that the work they have done during and needs, and for that reason The Programme can’t be run from a The Programme has contributed to their confidence, technical cast iron template. It will have to adapt and develop around the needs and artistic skills and an impressive string of successful auditions, of the singers we have before us. competitions and achievements. It has been a truly life-changing Plans are nearly completed for 2017-18 Kiri Programme. The selected experience for the singers. singers will be announced in the next few weeks. 2 Cover Award helps open door for Covent Garden debut Liparit Avetisyan pictured backstage with (left to right) Peter Katona (Head of Casting at ROH), Gillian Newson, Gary Matthewman & Chris Welch (Kiri Te Kanawa Recognition of a caring active Patron Foundation (UK) trustees). Recognition of a caring active Patron Last year Armenian tenor Liparit Avetisyan was awarded the 2016-17 Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation (UK) David Jackson (Artistic Director of the Cardiff Singer of the Cover Award. Sponsored by the UK Foundation in World Competition) reflects on Dame Kiri’s role as Patron PHOTO: BRIAN TARR 2017 TARR BRIAN PHOTO: association with The Royal Opera House the award of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. allows selected artists to take on cover roles where What does being a “Patron” actually mean? Often it means little more than ROH might not normally have a cover in place. a famous name on the letterhead, and the occasional appearance at events The award enabled Liparit Avetisyan to cover the or fundraisers. But if you’re lucky, it means having a patron like Dame Kiri – role of Alfredo in the ROH production of La traviata. someone who really cares about what we do, and gets actively involved.