Orchestral Artistry

I am a young Kiwi percussionist, embarking on the next stage of my career in the world of classical music. Orchestral Artistry is a programme at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama dedicated to the specialist training of orchestral musicians, run in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Barbican Centre.

My passion is the orchestral and chamber music I have grown up with here in New Zealand over the last decade. My artist teachers at Te Koki, New Zealand School of Music, Bruce McKinnon, Larry Reese and Lenny Sakofsky - past and present principals of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - have given me an excellent foundation. It is now my goal to refine my musicianship and gain New Zealand experience in one of the richest cities for orchestral music.

With this expertise, I can be a role model for the next generation of female drummers and percussionists. Here in NZ there are precious few of us!

I began at nine years old as a drum-kit player and loved playing in the school concert bands and with my girlfriends, entertaining the idea of being rock stars. However, I soon lost interest in competing in the macho world of rock drumming and instead concentrated on those 'smart' subjects at school, like calculus and physics. Nevertheless, during the Wellington Film Festival in my seventh form year at Wellington Girls College I saw Touch the Sound, a captivating film with Dame Evelyn Glennie. The scene with her in a vast, empty warehouse playing A Little Prayer on marimba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6nZdDIINpI) caught my imagination and a whole world of percussion opened up. My life changed in an instant. I dropped calculus like a stone and auditioned for Te Koki, New Zealand School of Music. I have been devoted to the art of classical percussion ever since.

London is the place I have long since dreamed of being as a student. I am thrilled to have the chance to represent New Zealand at such a world-renowned institution and be amongst peers who are as passionate about percussion as I am. In six weeks' time I will finally be getting on a plane with my tambourine and triangle.

I have so far been awarded a partial scholarship from Guildhall School and the Kiwi Music Scholarship, plus very generous help from the Fame Trust, the Adam Foundation, and (towards my accommodation) from The Victoria League. I acknowledge with much gratitude this support.

I have $10,000 left to raise towards my New Zealand tuition fees, so any donation towards this $5,000 target on Boosted will indeed give me an incredible Boost! I would be delighted if you would help me take up my place at this prestigious conservatoire.

Thank-you all so much! Dorothy