Liane Keegan Our first Awardee
Proudly supporting young Australian performing artists in the UK Founded in 1992 Principal Partner: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Tait Memorial Trust 4/80 Elm Park Gardens London SW10 9PD T: +44 207 351 0561 E: info@taitmemorialtrust.org W: www.taitmemorialtrust.org Reg. Charity 1042797
Principal Partner
Th e C o m m o n w e a l t h B a n k o f A u st r a l i a
Liane Keegan, is now arguably one of Australia’s most accomplished classical artists. She is doing exciting work with her company XL Arts, “a diverse Melbourne-based, multi-discipline coLiane Keegan operative of artists who are committed to honing their skills and excellence in the craft of performance.” Liane recently enjoyed a great success singing in the Last Night of the Proms in Melbourne, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and is to sing Erda in Wagner's Ring Cycle later this year with Opera Australia. Liane was awarded the Opera Foundation Australia, Shell Royal Covent Garden Scholarship, which enabled her to study at the National Opera Studio, London, and the AIMS summer School in Graz, Austria. In 1997 she won a Bayreuth Bursary from the Wagner Society of Great Britain. The Trust assisted with the cost of her studies in the UK, her living expenses and gave her many performance opportunities to help her develop her art. Liane’s career flourished internationally; she sang principal roles with the English National Opera, Deutsche Oper (Berlin), Opera North and Opera Australia. She has worked with many of the world’s great conductors and is a glowing tribute to why we do what we do. Liane is on the panel that will select this year’s award winners, passing on her knowledge and wealth of experience to the next generation. Liane’s website www.lianekeegan.com
Samuel Sakker offered a coveted place in the ensemble at Covent Garden
Samuel Sakker
Samuel Sakker has had a very busy time. He stepped in to save the day singing the Tenor part in the Mozart Requiem during the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Tour to Japan when Rolando Villazon was ill. A few months later he made his Covent Garden role debut singing Alfredo in Verdi’s opera, La Traviata at less than four hours notice. All of us at the Trust are delighted to congratulate Samuel, who has been offered a place in the Royal Opera House ensemble...a great achievement. He is currently singing Heinrich der Schreiber in Wagner’s romantic opera, Tannhaüser by Richard Wagner at the Royal Opera House. Samuel's website www.samuelsakker.com
The Tait Memorial Trust is pleased to be assisting these fine young Australian artists in 2016 Adopt a Performer Alexandra Isted,Violin Royal College of Music Wayne Kwonn, Cello Royal Northern College of Music Neil Mooney, French Horn Southbank Sinfonia The Leanne Benjamin Awards tba to be selected by Leanne Benjamin AM OBE Partner Award Funding Ann Beilby, Viola Australian musician with most promise Nathan Lay, Baritone Australian International Opera Awards Sujin Park, Violin Southbank Sinfonia Discretionary Tait Awards tba selection process is on-going
Tait Scholar Higgins Scholar Rodgers Award
Royal Over-Seas League Tait Prize John Frost/Frank and Viola Tait Award Sir Charles Mackerras Chair McGregor/Kwok Award
www.taitmemorialtrust.org
P art n er s
Au st r a l i a Da y F o un da t i o n Au st r a l i a n B u si ne s s B r i t a i n - Au st r a l i a S oc i e t y R oya l Ove r - S e a s Le a g ue
T ai t Gr ai ng er P at ro n £1 0 ,0 00+ Jul i a n B a r i ng f a m i l y * La d y Ma c ke r r a s be que st *
T ai t S ut her la nd B en ef act or £5 ,000 + The H i g gi ns f a m i l y * Jo hn F r os t AM * La d y R obe r t s on
T ai t B ony ng e Pa rt ne r £3 ,00 0+
Tait Newsletter
Spring 2016 Sir Charles Mackerras Chair at the Southbank Sinfonia to be supported jointly by the estate of Lady Mackerras and the TMT for the next ten years
We are delighted to report that the Tait Trust will be receiving a bequest from the estate of Lady Mackerras, in order to support the Sir Charles Mackerras Chair at the Southbank Sinfonia over the next ten years.
The E st a t e of P e gg y He i m C he va l i e r R i c ha r d Gu nt e r
T ai t He lp ma nn C ir cl e £1 ,00 0+ Mi s s Ka r e n G ol di e - Mor r i so n* Mr s Ja n Go wr i e - S m i t h * Mr & Mr s Da v i d H un t e r * Mr A l be r t K w ok * Mr A ndr e w Loe we nt ha l * Mr s S t e p ha n i e Mc Gr e g or * Mr s Ma r ga r e t R o dge r s* Ms Ja c q ue l i ne Th om ps o n* The T hor nt on F o un da t i o n Mr Da m i a n Wa l s h * Mr Mi c ha e l W ha l l e y * Ms Lo ui se Wor t h i n gt on * The V EC Ac or n Tr u st *
TM T F ran k & V io la Fr ien ds £5 00+ Mr J ul i a n Ag ne w Mr H A B a y ne
T ai t Me lb a S upp or ter £2 50+ Mr s An ne Lo ng de n S i r R i c ha r d S t or e y B t C B E
TM T F ri end s £ 75+
Mi s s Ma r yl yn A bb ot t Mr Er i c A dl e r Mr s J u ne A l l i s on Ms Ni na B i a l o g us ki Mr L i n dsa y B i r r e l l Ms S ue B r a db ur y Mr s Lor r a i ne B uc kl a nd Mr s Ja ne B ut t e r Mr s S a ndr a C l a pha m Mr J oh n C oke Mr s Ge or gi a C r a wf or d Mr J oh n C r i sp Mr s F a y C ur t i n Mr R o ge r Da ve np or t Mi s s An ne Da v i d so n Mr E dwa r d F i e l d Dr R od ne y F oa l e Mi s s R ose m a r y F r i sc he r Mr P h i l i p Ha r t The H on S a r a h Jo i ne r Mr P a t r i c k Ke n ne dy Mr Ma r t i n Kr a m e r Mr s We n d y Kr a m e r Mr L E Li na ke r Mr s An ne Lo ng de n Mr s J oa nna Mc C a l l u m Ms S ue Mc Gr e gor Mr J oh n R e nda l l Mi s s Ma r yl yn R o be r t so n Ms Ja c q ue l i ne R o wl a nd s Mr Ke r r y R ub i e Ms Ka t he r i ne S c ho l f i e l d Mr s An n S e dd on Mr I a n Te g ne r Mr s An ne t t e T h or p R e v J o hn Wa t e s OB E Mr s G C W i l l i a m s Mr s R a c he l l e Wi l m o t t Mr s R ose m a r y K W oo d An on ym o us
Join Tait Friends
Please join the Tait Trust online or download the form to become a member today
When we founded the Trust 24 years ago our aim was to provide stable financial help to young Australian performing artists in the UK. This generous gift will enable us to give a young Australian orchestral musician a prestigious Chair with an industry-recognised training ensemble, where they will gain the experience which is so crucial to every young artist’s development. Sir Charles Mackerras
This year’s recipient is violinist, Sujin Park, who received first class Bachelor and Masters’ degrees from the Royal College of Music, as an ABRSM scholar, and as a Frederick Johnson Scholar. She won the first prize of the Jeunesses International Violin Competition (2012).
Sujin Park
Soprano Rebecca Gulinello wins Tait Performing Arts Association Prize
In March, at a gala concert at the Savage Club, Melbourne, the Tait Performing Arts Association announced their second overseas awardee, Rebecca Gulinello. The young soprano is to study at Philadelphia's prestigious, fullscholarship granting Academy of Vocal Arts. She was one of only five offered a place in 2016/17. The TPAA is excited about supporting Rebecca when she does further study in the UK . www.tait.org.au
Tait Friends Rebecca have helped us Gulinello to more than double our Awards over the past two years Commonwealth Bank partnership to continue The Tait Memorial Trust is delighted to confirm Help us to help that our partnership with the Commonwealth Bank the next of Australia has been extended for another year, a generation of long-standing and passionate supporter and young corporate partner of some of Australia’s leading Australian arts organisations. performing artists studying The Bank has a dedicated team in the UK whose focus is to support people who are relocating to in the UK Australia or to New Zealand. If you, or any of your network, are planning a move in the foreseeable Isla Baring OAM, TMT with future we will happily put you in touch with Melinda Walker, CBA Melinda Walker and her team. www.commbank.org.au
Winter Prom
Who are we?
The Trust offers awards or grants for postgraduate study; performance opportunities to young Australian musicians and performing artists, and offers general help and assistance with the furtherance of their careers while resident in the UK. The Trust has helped more than 300 young Australian performing artists who have subsequently gone on to perform in the leading opera houses, concert halls and ballet stages around the world.
Some beneficiaries of the Tait Trust
Roberto Abate Connor Barlow Daniel de Borah Greta Bradman Lisa Bucknell Catherine Carby Stefan Cassemenos Brad Cooper Jessica Cottis Lucinda-Mirikata Deacon Claudia Dean Amy Dickson Helena Dix Tristan Dyer Grant Doyle Lauren Easton Lauren Fagan Josie Flick Julian Gavin Jayson Gillham Coady Green Russell Harcourt James Hancock Yelian He Claire Howard Alexandra Hutton Sky Ingram Liane Keegan Nicholas Lester Kelly Lovelady Sophie Moffatt Lachlan Monaghan Morgan Pearse Kevin Penkin Hoang Phan Thomas Rann Calvin Richardson Duncan Rock Samuel Sakker Katrina Sheppeard Helen Sherman Siobhan Stagg Derek Welton Valda Wilson Jeremy Vinogradov Chad Vindin Elena Xanthoudakis Gavin Zev Lauren Zolezzi Ádám Szabó
Supported by the
Commonwealth Bank
Memories of Summer Showcasing Australian talent
St John’s Smith Square
Jessica Cottis Jessica Cottis Conductor
Wednesday 30th November
The Tait Memorial Trust returns to St John's Smith Square for their 5th Annual Winter Prom. Now in its 24th year, the Tait Memorial Trust supports young Australian performing artists who come to the UK to complete their advanced studies in music, dance and composition. We are thrilled that Jessica Cottis, conductor, has agreed to musically direct the Tait Chamber Orchestra, an orchestra comprised of talented young Australian musicians. She has selected a vivid and innovative programme which showcases our award winners, and also draws together old and new worlds, acknowledging the tyranny of distance and the longing many of us feel for the wide open spaces of Australia.
the enigmatic Prelude played by the TCO. Benjamin Mellefont, clarinet, will play Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. Written in 1946 for Jazz/Big Band virtuoso, Benny Goodman, this exciting piece is a tour-deforce piece for the clarinet. A new work by Australian composer, Luke Syles called How they Creep will be performed by Alexandra Hutton, soprano & Ashlyn Skye Tymms, mezzo -soprano. Luke recently enjoyed a great success with his opera, Macbeth at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Lisa Bucknell
Proudly sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia we invite you to join us as we explore our Memories of Summer. Alexandra Isted, violin (our Tait Scholar at the RCM) and Lisa Bucknell, viola (pictured above) will open the concert with Mozart’s beautiful Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra K. 364. The first half concludes with Wagner’s Vorspiel & Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde arranged by Australian composer, James Ledger (UK Premier). Katrina Sheppeard, soprano, who recently stepped in to sing Norma with the ENO will sing Isolde’s final aria; this will be preceded by
Ashlyn will sing Erika’s brief but achingly eloquent solo from Barber’s, opera Vanessa, Must the winter come so soon? Soprano, Alexandra Hutton, currently a member of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, will sing Bernstein’s Glitter and be Gay from his much loved opera/musical, Candide. James Guan, piano, will end the concert with Malcolm Williamson’s Concerto for Piano & Strings, Piano Concerto No 2. Australian Malcolm Williamson (19312003) was once the most commissioned composer of his time but now his works are rarely heard so we are delighted to share this thrilling piece with you.
Exclusive Opportunity
All funds raised will help The Leanne Benjamin Awards for 2017.
Swan Lake final rehearsal Tuesday 13th July at 1.30pm London Coliseum
Tickets: £100. There are 20 places only, please be quick to avoid disappointment
The Australian Ballet has given us 20 tickets for the Tait Friends to see the only rehearsal of their production of renowned Australian choreographer, Graeme Murphy's, critically acclaimed Swan Lake. The rehearsal begins at 1.30 pm for this unique opportunity to see into the world of Australia’s national ballet company.
Email: info@taitmemorialtrust.org to book See you there!
The Australian Ballet
£20 tickets + £80 donation
Isla
We are honoured to have the privilege of being able to see this exceptional ballet in rehearsal. This is a unique treat for our Friends which will help us to fund more awards for The Leanne Benjamin Awards, created in 2014 with our Patron, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, who recently retired from The Royal Ballet after a dazzling 30 year career. Join us for an exclusive talk with Artistic Director, David McAlister AO and Leanne at 12.30pm.
Past Tait Events
Sophie Moffatt, dancer
Winter Prom, November 2015 & Seduction in the Salon, April 2016
Piers Lane AO
2015 Tait Winter Prom
Front: Chloe Hollow & Rebecca Blenkinsop, The Leanne Benjamin Awards 2015
Above are photos from the Tait Winter Prom at the Royal College of Music. The artists performed beautifully then we were blessed when Piers Lane AO played Chopin’s Nocturnes. HE The Hon. Alexander Downer AC presented our Awards to our 2015 Taits.
Book online: www.sjss.org.uk Friends of St John’s from: Monday 4 July General public from: Monday 11 July
Tait Alumna sing with ETO
Of the four principals in English Touring Opera’s production of Pia de Tolomei, three of the cast are Australians: soprano Elena Xanthoudakis, baritone Grant Doyle and mezzosoprano Catherine Carby. Catherine is also singing the lead role in their production of Gluck’s, Iphegnie en Tauride. Nicholas Lester sings the title role in their new production of Don Giovanni in the ETO Spring season tour of the UK. For more information: www.englishtouringopera.org
Seduction in the Salon
Alexandra Isted
Ashlyn Skye Tymms & James Ioelu
Chevalier Richard Gunter
Seduction in the Salon at Leighton House, in April 2016, was a triumph artistically and we are happy to report, financially. Presented by Ross Alley we all enjoyed a seductive programme which was jointly created by Ross and Chad Vindin. Stunning performances by all of the soloists which captivated our audience at Leighton House. The financial success of the evening was due to the generous support from Chevalier Richard Gunter.
Where are they now? Jayson Gillham Jayson’s debut album is to be released later this year before a tour of Australia with performances with the SSO, ASO & recitals in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Siobhan Stagg Siobhan has been in Berlin for two years and is now a member of the Deutsche Oper ensemble. Recently she has sung in Paris, Zürich, Amsterdam & sang with the Royal Opera at short notice with fellow Awardees, Lauren Fagan & Emily Edmonds. Benjamin Mellefont Benjamin graduated from the RCM with a Masters of Perf. and was quickly signed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as their principal clarinet. He will play Copland’s Clarinet concerto with us at the 2016 Tait Winter Prom at St John’s Smith Square. Som Howie Som, a joint winner of the 2015 Royal Over-Seas League Tait Prize with Chad Vindin, piano, will be playing as guest principal clarinet with the Sydney Symphony in 2016 before returning to the UK to continue the Future First's Scheme with the London Philharmonic Orchestra." Lauren Fagan Lauren is now in her second year with the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme, with the Royal Opera House. In August, she will make her role debut as Donna Anna as part of the Verbier Festival Academy. Lauren will be joined by fellow Australian, Morgan Pearse who will be singing Don Giovanni.