Prima Volta students accepted into university programmes

Students going to University to study L-R Caitlin Roberts, Niamh Bentley, Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, Tomairangi Henare, Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, Anna Pierard. Photo / Warren Buckland

Anna Pierard never listened when people claimed a singing career was impossible, five of her singing students have followed suit and have recently been accepted into university.

Since 2014, Pierard has watched hundreds of young students learn and grow through her singing programme Project Prima Volta; in the past two years 14 of them have applied for singing courses at universities across the country.

"All of them have been accepted and offered scholarships," she says proudly.

"It's a great success rate because we only take 30 kids a year. A lot of people argue that a music degree isn't valuable when it comes to getting a job. But that's very much not the case anymore."

Three of the successful students will be going to Waikato University, while the other two have been accepted into the music programme at Victoria University, Wellington.

Pierard says she's extremely proud of the students' achievements, considering that this time of year brings an immense amount of stress and pressure.

"There's stress around mock exams at the moment, but it must be a relief for these students to already know and have security about their future for next year."

"I think they're seeing themselves as legitimate singing artists so it's such an exciting venture."

Pierard says she's thrilled that the students have chosen to follow their passion despite general stereotypical thoughts about picking music as a career.

"It's no different now, it's very detrimental for kids who are seriously considering picking art as a career."

Pierard said she once coached a Napier student who visited her careers adviser during her final year of school.

"She went into the office with a friend and the adviser asked what her friend wanted to do, and she received a big wad of papers and possibilities. Then she asked my student what she wanted to do, she answered 'singing' and the careers adviser said, 'I've got nothing for you'.

"I was raised to see opportunities being there for me if I ever wanted them and I'm really fortunate that I was brought up that way. A lot of kids are brought up to think it's a fight and feel like they need to win or power through.

"You can ease yourself into a life that's perfect for you, you just need to believe it."

Prima Volta students will perform in the Harcourts Arts Festival later this month with an array of different singing styles for spectators to enjoy.