Singers celebrate top performances

 

Otamatea Repertory Theater singing and drama coaches, Peter and Maura Flower, had 21 students (and a choir of 20) performing at a Northland Performing Arts Competitions Inc event held in Whangarei recently – and enjoyed their most successful year ever.

Molly Curnow (15) won two sections for her musical theatre – one in her own age group (13-15 years), and one in the adult section. Molly was also the joint recipient of the Heather Blyth Trophy for the highest mark awarded to a girl under 16, the third year in a row she has won that trophy. Sam Birchall (17) was the overall winner of the Intermediate Championship, judged overall from 13-17 years inclusive. He also won the Classical trophy, the German Lieder trophy and the Musical Theatre trophy for his age, and was presented with a scholarship from the James Rice Foundation for $250 to help towards tuition costs. Katrina Poyner (15) was the winner of the Voice Studio Cup with an award of $150 towards her tuition fees, also winning many placings over a wide range of categories. 

Later this year she is sitting her Trinity Singing Exam Grade 7 and Sam Birchall is sitting his Grade 6. Both Molly and Sam have been taking singing lessons for about eight years with Maura Flower and have been involved with productions at the Otamatea Repertory Theatre. Earlier this year, Molly starred in the Dargaville Little Theatre production of Grease. “I love teaching singing!” enthuses Maura. “It is a pleasure and a privilege to help each singer develop technical and artistic skills. I try and enhance each singer's natural abilities and tailor the repertoire to suit each individual.”