She grew up in Stratford, and now mezzo-soprano Cecily Shaw is returning to the town to present a recital giving a humorous look at life as an opera student. She will be performing at Holy Trinity Church, Juliet Street at 2pm this Saturday to raise money for further studies.
From age seven, Cecily attended Stratford Primary School, and later St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls. She was taught singing by Gael Riddle from age 10, and Julie Cudby from age 13. During her time at St Mary's, Cecily says she greatly enjoyed singing in the school choir (directed at the time, by her mother and music teacher, Margaret Thompson), playing the clarinet in the school ensemble (directed by Jo Henderson), and running a small ukulele group. She performed at a number of local events back in 2010 and 2011, together with Amanda Longshaw, in the ukulele duo "Shaw Thing". Cecily has spent the last five years in Hamilton completing her BMus (Hons) at the University of Waikato and was awarded first class honours. During this time she has been a soloist in many cantatas and oratorios, played the shared role of Cherubino in a university production of The Marriage of Figaro, and attended the 2017 New Zealand Opera School. Cecily has received numerous scholarships, the latest of which will cover her fees for the Bach Residency in June. Cecily gratefully acknowledges the assistance over the years from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation. She intends to undertake a Masters degree and is currently fundraising to continue her studies.
Opera bootcamp coming to town
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