Soprano and double bassist win Patricia Pratt Scholarships
Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music graduates Soprano Isabella Moore and Double bassist Alexander Verster have been awarded 2016 Patricia Pratt Scholarships in Musical Performance to continue their postgraduate development at renowned international music schools.
Isabella Moore has been awarded $10,000 towards a Postgraduate Diploma in voice performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The Chair of the Voice Department has described the soprano as having extraordinary abilities. Isabella has a Bachelor of Music (Voice) and a Postgraduate Diploma of Music from Victoria University as well as a Master of Arts in Advanced Vocal Studies from the University of Wales. Isabella won the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award in Sydney last year and the Lexus Song Quest and New Zealand Aria in 2014.
Alex Verster has been awarded $25,000 to study for a Master of Fine Arts Creative Practice at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Alex has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Victoria University. He recently made the move to classical music, taking up study at the Trinity Conservatoire and shocking Trinity’s Head of Strings with his rapid progress. Alex has just performed in London’s Festival Hall with the New London Orchestra. As well as helping fund his studies, the award will contribute towards the purchase of a double bass.
The Convenor of the Selection Panel, David Bremner, congratulated the scholars and wished them well with their international music careers. He also acknowledged the Kia Ora Foundation for its support.
The Scholarship has been established by Annette Campbell-White, founder of the Kia Ora Foundation, in memory of her mother, Patricia Pratt. It assists outstanding young New Zealand musicians to continue their musical development at a renowned international music school or Conservatorium for up to two years.