The Tait Memorial Trust was formed in 1992 by Isla Baring OAM in memory of Sir Frank and Viola, Lady Tait and the Tait brothers who played such an important part in the establishment of theatre and the performing arts in Australia & New Zealand. The Trust offers awards/grants for postgraduate study, performance opportunities to young musicians and performing artists from Australia and New Zealand, and general help in the furtherance of their careers while resident in the UK.

Registered U.K Charity: 1042797
info@taitmemorialtrust.org

Next Tait Concert

Festive Firebird

A tribute to Ballet

Tait Friends and their guests are invited to join us for our tribute to ballet with music from the great ballets, featuring artwork by Ann Seddon inspired by Stravinsky’s Firebird, and Prokofiev’s Cinderella. The evening also celebrates some of our Patrons and will include a conversation with celebrated Australian portrait painter, June Mendoza AO OBE; Ross Alley will review Leanne Benjamin AM OBE’s new book ‘Built for Ballet’ which follows her sparkling career from her beginnings in Australia to playing principal roles with The Royal Ballet, London.

“Leannes extraordinary journey really comes to life in this refreshingly honest account of her career in dance. She was not only a brilliant Principal with The Royal Ballet but has made a significant impact on the artform through her coaching of the next generation of performers. With her consummate artistry, tenacity, warmth and wit, she truly is built for ballet!”

Kevin OHare, Director, The Royal Ballet

We are delighted to confirm a special guest appearance by one of Australia’s greatest pianists and Tait Patron, Piers Lane AO. Piers has just returned to the UK from Australia which included acclaimed performances with Musica Viva, his continued stewardship of the Sydney International Piano Competition,  and ended with performances at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville.

June will share her memories about ballet in the UK and Australia, the many famous dancers she has painted, and of her Mother, Dot Mendoza. Dot played for Pavlova, and Borovansky, and for many years was JCW’s company pianist. In the 1960’s she was associated with The Mavis Bramston Show in Australia as scriptwriter, composer and performer, in later life she coached actors in performance and voice production. Among those she taught were Barry Humphries, June Salter, Gordon Chater, John Meillon and Jill Perryman. …a truly fascinating life.

Our Master of Ceremonies will be the inimitable Ross Alley once again ably supported by Chad Vindin (piano) and we also look forward to introducing you to some of our 2021 awardees performing music inspired by ballet and dance.

We also take this opportunity to bid a fond farewell to Linda Apelt, Agent General for Queensland to the United Kingdom. During her tenure as Agent General her support of young Australian artists and our work has been truly outstanding.

In closing this concert would not be possible without the generous support of Leslie MacLeod-Miller. Leslie has kindly offered his beautiful home as the venue for this unique artistic event. We thank him most sincerely. Places are strictly limited…book now.

LAST TAIT CONCERT

Sensation pertains to our five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell – physiological responses to stimuli from the world we live in, yet “sensational” embraces so much more: something extraordinary, startling, even scandalous. “Sensation in the Salon”, past and present Tait Memorial Trust awardees will perform pertinent repertoire to dazzle, titillate and inspire in a stunning musical showcase designed to alleviate lockdown lassitude and provoke an intense response in your own senses.

Ross Alley

Artists
Rebecca Allen, Bassoon
Brad Cooper, Tenor
Phillip Costovski, Tenor
Corinne Cowling, Soprano
Annabelle Traves, Violin

Rosie Noble-Booth, Soloist from Rambert School

Music by:

Bernstein, Bizet, Duparc, Fauré, McFerrin,

Handel, Léhar, Schumann, Sondheim and Tosti

We are also very excited that a ballet student from Rambert School

will be performing a piece called Mañana, choreographed by Arielle Smith.

Presented by Ross Alley

Artistic Director: Chad Vindin

Tait Online Concerts

The 2020 Tait Tuesdays at Home concert series was very popular and will continue into 2021 with Tait Awardees (and special guests) performing from their homes and specially recorded concerts.

To promote the Tait Emergency Relief Fund for Performing Artists from Australia & New Zealand in the United Kingdom we are sharing performances online to you in your home not only to our supporters here in the U.K., but also for our many supporters in Australia and New Zealand. 

All concert links can be found here

The Australian High Commissioner Series – Still on sale

Awards 2021

Read the Tait’s statement

concerning our 2021 Awards here

The Tait Memorial Trust

The Tait Memorial Trust is a charitable organisation based in London, which aims to promote and celebrate Australian and New Zealand cultural life, by offering scholarships, performing opportunities and mentoring to young musicians and dancers who wish to pursue their advanced studies in the United Kingdom.

Since 1992 the TMT has helped over 300 awardees. Violinist Emily Sun (2016 awardee) won the 2018 ABC Young Performers Award in Sydney (fellow Tait Awardees Andrey Lebedev (guitar) & Waynne Kwon (cello) were also in the final), and soprano Lauren Fagan recently appeared in Wagner’s Ring Cycle at the ROH, Covent Garden and represented Australia in the 2019 Cardiff Singer of the World.

Other distinguished Awardees include dramatic contralto Liane Keegan, dancer Chloe Keneally 2019 Winner of the BBC Young Dancer Competition (Classical Ballet Category) and Grand Finalist, pianist Jayson Gillham, and saxophonist Amy Dickson.

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Credit our bank account

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Tait Memorial Trust

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Account Number: 00033630

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