Legally Blonde JR., a performance for the Wānaka Concert Society, a visit from music industry veterans, and an award at the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.

Legally Blonde JR. 

Rehearsals for our musical are in full swing for the college production of ‘Legally Blonde JR.’ directed by Lisa Clough beginning 16 May at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Check out this video created by our students and watch this space for information about tickets going on sale very soon!

Students perform for Wānaka Concert Society subscribers

As a token of gratitude for the Wānaka Concert Society's long-standing support of the College, MAC students recently performed at a concert for the society’s subscribers. The MAC classical group, accompanied by tutors Nikki Cotter, Johanna Hansen and conductor Helen Carter, performed works by Johann Strauss and Gioachino Rossini. The MAC jazz combo performed a number of jazz classics, and solo pianist Meela Sergeant Latta delivered a captivating performance on the College’s Kawai grand piano, gifted to the school by the society. Following the concert, students provided subscribers with a tour of our new facilities. Our connections to our community are fundamental to the success of our school and we are extremely grateful to the Wānaka Concert Society for its support of our students.

Music veterans visit College

Senior Music students were thrilled to welcome New Zealand music veterans Daimon Schwalger (also known as The Nomad) and Tim Budgen (renowned for his work with WarpTV, Shapeshifter, and Pixels) for a special visit. Daimon and Tim shared their expertise, detailing the process of bringing their latest 25-year album release to fruition, from its inception to hitting the road for performances.

Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival

On Thursday 4 April, Ryan Stembridge, Ania-Kanu Saklani, Tessa Jones, Maja Griffiths- Jones, Mikayla Botting, Dani Maguire and Zoe Gumpatzes travelled to Dunedin to compete in the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) 2024 Otago Regional University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. The competition involved around 160 students from 11 schools, and our MAC students presented two scenes from ‘As You Like It’, performing with confidence and skill. A special congratulations to Ania-Kanu, Tessa, Mikayla, Ryan and Zoe whose scene was recognised with a prestigious judge's discretionary award for clarity of vocal delivery. Sadly, Susannah West was unable to attend on the day but we congratulate her for being a superb cast member. Thank you to Arts teacher Lisa Clough for her expert guidance of the students and for accompanying them to Dunedin for the event and to Arts Coordinator Jo Hewson-Williams for also accompanying the students to Dunedin.