I was awarded £750 by the Tait Memorial Trust in 2006, just as I embarked on my first year of post-graduate studies specialising in piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. This award felt like a welcome from a community of like-minded antipodean ex-pats: it made me feel like I was in the right…
Tag: arts
Lauren Fagan selected as Australian representative in 2019 Cardiff Singer of the World
We are delighted to confirm that Lauren Fagan is to be the Australian representative in the 2019 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. To be selected as your nation’s representative is a great honour, we are thrilled for her Twenty singers from 15 countries have been chosen for this summer’s competition. The contestants come from…
Glowing reviews for Jessica Cottis conducting ‘The Monstrous Child’
The reviews are in for the world premiere of ‘The Monstrous Child’ by Gavin Higgins and Francesca Simon, a new production directed by Timothy Sheader and designed by Paul Wills, at the Linbury Theatre, The Royal Opera House. We are thrilled to see that #TaitAwardee, and Chair of the Tait Music Board, Jessica Cottis has received…
Tait Awardees to star in Opera North production of La Boheme
We are delighted to announce that #TaitAwardees, Lauren Fagan, and Samantha Clarke are to sing major roles in Opera North’s production of La Boheme later this year. Lauren is to sing Mimi, Samantha the role of Musetta. Lauren Fagan Lauren was generously supported by a grant from Trust donors, Michael Whalley OAM & Karen Goldie-Morrison…
Chloe Keneally on dancing role of Odette in My First Ballet: Swan Lake – English National Ballet
Following the opening of My First Ballet: Swan Lake in London last week, hear from one of its stars, English National Ballet School student Chloe Keneally. She performs the iconic role of Odette in this version of the classic ballet for young children. What or who inspired you to take up ballet? Can you remember…
Ensemble Molière plans to produce Rameau's opera, 'Pygmalion' | Interview with Jakab Kaufmann
Jakab Kaufmann is a successful bassoonist from Sydney now based in Europe. He trained as an orchestral musician and a conductor in Sydney before moving to Basel where he studied early music at the renowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Now living in Bern, he has established himself as a freelance musician working with ensembles and orchestras…
Where it all began – Interview: Liane Keegan – Classic Melbourne
Lovely interview with our first awardee, Liane Keegan. Liane was the reason that Isla Baring created the Tait Memorial Trust in 1992. Liane wanted to further her studies in the UK but needed financial assistance to allow her to continue. Isla offered to produce a concert at Australia House, invited her friends, and due to…
Herald Sun Aria winner Panayiota Kalatzis sweeps all before her | Herald Sun
We are thrilled to report that Tait Awardee, Panayiota Kalatzis, won the coveted 2016 Herald Sun Aria in Melbourne’s, Hamer Hall a few days ago. Panayiota was the 2014 recipient of the Australian International Opera Awards which gave her the funds to study at the Wales International Academy of Voice with Dennis O’Neill. SCINTILLATING soprano…
Tait Awardee, Benjamin Mellefont to play Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
We are delighted to share the news that Tait Awardee, Benjamin Mellefont is to play Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto on Thursday 13 October 2016 7:30pm & Friday 14 October 2016 7:30pm at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with the ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. Benjamin was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in October 2015. He…
Australia Piano Quartet to play at Wigmore Hall
AUSTRALIA PIANO QUARTET (Rebecca Chan, violin; Daniel de Borah, piano; Thomas Rann, cello; James Wannan, viola) Thursday 15 September 2016 at 1:00PM Programme: MOZART: Piano Quartet in E flat K.452 (after Quintet for piano & winds) BRAHMS: Piano Quartet in C minor Op. 60 ‘Intellectually and musically vigorous’ – Sydney Morning Herald ‘Chamber playing of…