Young musicians aim for fame through new music academy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 February 2011

Young musicians aim for fame through new music academy at Waiariki

More than 30 gifted musicians and singers are set to begin their journey to musical success through the new Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music to be launched on Thursday, February 10th.

“We’ve got some amazing talent joining us and I’m really excited about this,” said Ngapera Riley, Manager of the academy. “There are musicians coming who have already recorded and there are some that just need a push in the right direction to get there. We’ll work on things like that at the academy, providing the guidance they need, and hopefully produce some future stars.”

The academy will operate similarly to the Waiariki Academy of Sport, whereby academy scholars will study toward a qualification of their choice at Waiariki and access various levels of support and opportunities, depending on the level of scholarship they have received.

Platinum Scholarship students will receive fees-free tuition, access to music workshops and individual tuition in the music area of students’ choice. Gold Scholarship students will have access to music workshops and musical tuition, and Silver Scholarships will be used to help nurture talented youth who are still in intermediate or high school.

“We will put together a customised plan to help these students succeed in their education and their music,” said Ms Riley. “Some of our scholars have children, some are working, some are already really advanced, so it just depends on their level of talent.

“Musical mentoring, performance opportunities, and workshops will provide a comprehensive base of musical and performance knowledge to help launch their music career.

“We already have the events schedule planned for the year beginning with the academy launch on February 10th. Performing is a big component – we have a very musically talented group but it’s just as important getting them used to the stage and developing their stage presence.”

Ms Riley, who is Te Arawa, Te Ure o Uenukukopako, and Ngati Rorooterangi, is well prepared for managing the academy, coming from a musical background spanning all three decades of her life. Her father, Steve Riley, is a well known musician locally.

“We were dragged around to gigs, and lived with various ‘musos’ traipsing through the house, and band practices in the garage. Dad often used music to help others by loaning out drums and stuff. I was far too lazy to learn an instrument, despite my dad’s urging, so I just relied on my voice. I really like being a part of something else.”

Ms Riley got her musical start at a young age by singing in church. She joined kapa haka groups at school and was always involved in some sort of group, she says. Then, in her early 20s, the Rotorua native took her talents overseas where she spent 10 years performing and working for international government agencies and the entertainment industry in New York City and Los Angeles.

She returned in 2009 and has performed with award-winning Deliciously Inspired Vocal Artists (aka D.I.V.A.), a New Zealand-based female trio. Now that she’s managing the academy, she’s had to give up her spot under the bright lights, but she looks forward to this new stage in her career.

“I had my fun, had a very successful career and as I was getting a little older I thought about what was really important to me, and that is family. I’m 31 years old. Being able to contribute back to a community that gave me so much is what I want to focus on now,” she says.

Ms Riley was charged with finding and selecting the academy scholars. “The auditions were amazing,” she said. “They just blew me away and I had such a hard time choosing just 30 students. I’m really excited about this year, it’s going to be a lot of fun and really great to support our talented youth. Nobody else offers this kind of programme, it’s going to be great!”

Ngapera Riley is the Manager of the new Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music.

ENDS

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