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Emma Brown competing at the NZ /Australian 'Follow Your Dreams' dance contest January 2018
 
Photo by Nikki Hall

Summer Arts Update

Nikki Hall —

A brief update on two of our creative and talented Roncallians.

Jayden Walker has been selected for a Solo Role in NZ Opera’s Tosca

Jayden's preparation for his latest audition has paid off. He has been selected as the ‘Shepherd Boy’ who sings ‘Io de’ Sospiro’, the only solo part for a child in Tosca. He will perform for audiences at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch in the opening night’s performance, 8th of March and also on Wednesday the14th of March. He will performing alongside two of NZ’s top Opera singers, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Simon O’Neill. Jayden will also be singing as part of the children’s chorus for the season.

This follows closely after Jayden’s European tour in 2017 where he performed at a wide range of venues and countries, and as Friedrich in the September and October production of ‘The Sound of Music’ which toured NZ with 20 performance dates.

Opera is Jayden’s passion and he is well on the road to making a successful career in his chosen art form.

Emma Brown Is Following Her Dreams

After qualifying in the 2017 national competition in Christchurch Emma and her dance partner, Caleb Cameron, went to Melbourne in January 2018 for the ‘Follow Your Dreams’ dance competition. Emma featured in seven different dance categories, which were the Slow tap, Solo, Speed tap, Song and Dance, Tap Duo, Song and Tap Duo, and Champion dancer. Emma competed in the open class age group for 16 year olds and over. She gained a first place in the Tap Duo with Caleb and a second place in the Song and Tap Duo. Emma received Star Awards for her Song and Dance and Solo tap and Honourable Mentions in her Slow tap and Speed tap. Emma placed in the top 10 for her age group against dancers from New Zealand and Australia.

We are pleased to announce that Emma will be the Lead Choreographer for the Roncalli School Production, Singin’ in the Rain Jr. with Assistant Choreographer, Georgia Carnegie.

Singin' in the Rain Jr. has now been cast with rehearsals underway. Further details for our 2018 Musical to feature in future updates.