Waetford settles down in Dunedin

ON HIS WAY: Former Kamo High School head boy Kawiti Waetford is studying at the University of Otago thanks in part to a $10,000 scholarship.

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Kawiti Waetford wants to bring joy to the world through his gift of song.

And now, thanks in part to a $10,000 Maori and Pacific Island entrance scholarship, the 19-year-old baritone and former Kamo High School head boy is taking another important step toward realising that dream at the University of Otago, where he is studying classical voice with renowned mezzo and teacher Isabel Cunningham.

"I didn't have the financial resources to come down without some assistance," he says. "Having the scholarship has been a phenomenal aid to my family. It's alleviated quite a lot of the stress."

Kawiti had considered other options for vocal study, but when he auditioned for the Otago department of music, he wowed the distinguished selection panel including internationally acclaimed pianist professor Terence Dennis.

Kawiti says it was the panel's encouragement and eagerness to help him that made him want to come south.

Mr Dennis, who first witnessed Kawiti's performances at the 2009 national singing school in Napier and then later at the Auckland Opera Factory, is clearly impressed with the young man.

"He possesses excellent attributes for professional development, a very fine natural voice already of considerable dimension and mature colour for a 19-year-old. Kawiti has outstanding stage potential, with an inherent, natural dramatic response to words and an innate sense of musical context.

"He has a flair for languages, a vital skill in classical singing and, as Whangerei audiences have already discovered, he's a fine actor.

"His acting training gives him a special sense of communication on the stage. We look forward keenly to his development during his training years with us," says Mr Dennis.

Kawiti, whose schooling has been mainly at kura kaupapa Maori, appreciates the support he's received from the university's Maori centre, led by tumuaki/manager Pearl Matahiki.

"They're a whanau away from home, and that's important to me.

"It's the difference between going away and not being able to ground yourself in the earth, to peel some kumara for a hangi, to speak te reo Maori. It's important to have someone to talk to."

- © Fairfax NZ News