New Kiri Programme singers announced

SINGERS SELECTED

The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has identified six singers who will take part in its new singer development programme, known as The Kiri Programme. The Foundation believes they have the potential to progress to successful international careers with this strategic one-year programme designed to boost their personal development, including business, communication and artistic skills.

The first of five training modules begins at the end of August, with the singers gathering in Auckland under the direction of programme head Kathryn Harries, who is Director of the National Opera Studio in London. Ms Harries was senior judge for the Lexus Song Quest in New Zealand in 2014. She will be supported in the module (which focuses on the voice) by Sharolyn Kimmorley, Terence Dennis, Robert Wiremu and Teresa Desmarchelier.

The inaugural participants are:

Eliza Boom – soprano (Waikato)

Jarvis Dams – baritone (Belgium/Waikato)

Katherine McIndoe – soprano (Wellington)

Filipe Manu – tenor (Tonga/Auckland)

Madison Nonoa – soprano (Samoa/Nuie/Waikato)

Natasha Wilson – soprano (Auckland)

Some of the singers have received Foundation assistance before, especially as participants in the New Zealand Opera School which is supported by the Foundation. For others like Natasha Wilson, the selection came as a complete surprise. “This is the first time I've had any sort of involvement with Dame Kiri and the foundation, as I have never been to NZ opera school, so I was very surprised when they wanted to work with me for this programme! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity”.

Katherine McIndoe sang for Dame Kiri at this year’s NZ Opera School masterclass and says “We are so grateful for the Foundation’s relationship with the School, as the School’s immersive environment and stellar teachers offer us so much. It was very exciting to sing for Dame Kiri for the first time. A programme like this, bridging that gap between finishing study here and heading overseas, is such a valuable step in preparing me to put my best foot forward.”

Eliza Boom also sang in the masterclass and found it challenging. “There are many challenges in forming a career; at this point in mine the biggest challenge is in choosing suitable repertoire. I am hoping the programme will equip me with knowledge and skills to prepare me for study overseas, particularly regarding languages.”

Dame Kiri recently told an audience in Whanganui that the nurturing and development of young singers would be “my next career”. Her Kiri Programme results from eight years of planning and research, during which time the Foundation has help uplift many emerging New Zealand artists and when she has also personally mentored and supported many young singers who are making great progress in their international careers.

“Over the past decade I’ve been hugely inspired by the many young talented singers we have supported – they have enormous potential for future success. They know that their career choice is a lifetime of hard work, dedication and complete passion for music. I feel very proud watching their development,” says Dame Kiri.

The first year’s costs are being underwritten by the Foundation, and philanthropic partnerships are being sought for co-funding the ongoing programme. “It will require generous partners with vision and commitment to making a difference,” notes Dame Kiri.

The second module of the Kiri Programme, in December, will focus on acting and presentation, and will comprise a five day workshop conducted by renowned American teacher and director, Chuck Hudson.

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2016 participants biographies - summary

Eliza Boom - soprano

Eliza grew up on the stage, singing with her parents and five siblings around the country. After learning both piano and singing during her school years, she completed a Bachelor of Music at Vision College in Hamilton, focusing on classical singing while also exploring musical theatre and contemporary genres. In 2015 Eliza transferred to the University of Waikato for her Honours year in voice performance as a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar. In 2016 she is continuing her study at the University of Waikato, undertaking a Post-Graduate Certificate in Opera Studies. Eliza is also a finalist in the Australian Singing Competition (August 2016).

Her career highlights to-date include a masterclass with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa during the NZ Opera School in January 2016 – the third consecutive year Eliza was selected for the immersive summer school. She has been a winner or finalist in many regional competitions and received the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Waikato Arts Excellence Award.

Jarvis Dams - baritone

Originally from Belgium, Jarvis has lived in New Zealand for 16 years and now resides in Hamilton. Jarvis holds a Master of Music (First Class Honours) from The University of Waikato. He completed a vocal apprenticeship programme at Astoria Music Festival (Oregon, USA) and was a recipient of the University of Waikato Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship. Jarvis was placed third in the 2015 New Zealand Aria competition and in 2016 he was selected as both a semifinalist in the Lexus song quest and as a finalist in the IFAC Australian Singing Competition in Sydney.

Katherine McIndoe - soprano

A lifelong Wellingtonian, Katherine has taken part in the city’s musical life from a young age. She has been a Choral Scholar with Wellington’s Orpheus Choir and sang in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Choirs. Head Girl of Wellington Girls’ College in 2011, she led the school’s award-winning choir and also sang for four years with the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, including two years as leader (2011-12).

In 2015 she completed a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in Classical Performance Voice at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University. With New Zealand Opera in 2016, Katherine sang the second boy in The Magic Flute, and understudied Pamina in the same production.

In 2015 Katherine won the Wellington Aria Competition, taking first place in three categories. She has attended the New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui three times and taken part in masterclasses and coachings including with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Simon O’Neill.

Filipe Manu - tenor

Born in Australia and of Tongan descent, Filipe moved to New Zealand as a young boy. Hardly able to speak English when he started school, he is now completing postgraduate study at the University of Waikato as a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar and holds an ATCL Diploma through Trinity College, London. He has been a student at the New Zealand Opera school since 2013 and was named the New Zealand Young Performer of the year in 2014. He was a finalist in the New Zealand Aria that same year.

Filipe was a chorus member for Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s album Waiata (2013) and features on the recently released album Divine by Anna Hawkins. He has enjoyed an increasing number of solo engagements and was recently the runner-up in the 2016 Lexus Song Quest.

Madison Nonoa - soprano

From the Waikato, Madison Nonoa is of Samoan, Niuean and NZ European descent and holds a Bachelor of Music with a First Class Honours from the University of Auckland. She is a current Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar at the University of Waikato, where she is studying French and German.

Madison made her debut professional performance in the role of Papagena in the company’s production of Mozart's The Magic Flute this June. She is a former member of the New Zealand Youth Choir, an alumna of the New Zealand Opera School and New Zealand Singing School and has been a finalist and winner of many aria competitions around the country, including winner of the Christchurch and Napier Arias.

In 2016, Madison created the role of Joyce in Ross Harris' NZ Festival opera, Brass Poppies and came third in the 2016 Lexus Song Quest, where she was also awarded the $15,000 Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation scholarship for the singer with the most promise. Madison also plays the violin.

Natasha Wilson - soprano

Aucklander Natasha Wilson is currently undertaking her honours degree in music, specialising in classical voice performance at the University of Auckland.

Passionate about singing from a very young age, Natasha has performed in world-renowned choirs including the Auckland Chamber Choir, and the New Zealand Youth Choir, and performs regularly as a soloist.

Acknowledgement: Filipe, Jarvis, Katherine and Madison have all been Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists with New Zealand Opera.

Updated 11/8/2016

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