Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Sophie,Isaac and Hayley perform at Awatere High Country festival
Hayley's royal surprise
Christchurch Mail Wednesday 12th November 2003
Christchurch's darling Hayley Westenra has scaled new heights,but hold the bus,there's a lot more to come.
The young soprano is now one of the most sought-after artists in Britain following the startling success of her debut album Pure and on Saturday night she took centre stage at the famous Royal Albert Hall to perform in front of the Queen.
Hayley was assigned the task of performing the opening number at the Remembrance Day Concert,and she later went back to bring the curtain down at the end of the evening,and while she is used to coping with high profile assignments this was about as big as it gets.
"She was fine out back until she looked at a monitor and saw the Queen ,Prince Philp and Princess Anne arriving,"her father Gerald said.That gave her the jitters because she was first up,but she managed to compose herself,went out,bowed to the Royal Box,then got into her item.
"It was absolutely fantastic for her-she totally blew them away."
It was, he said, just about the highlight of her fledgling International career.
Hayley,has just returned from a whistle stop promotional tour to Japan and her diary for the next month is full.
Her fame has also spread to the other side of the Atlantic. Just last week in New York Times devoted a feature on her.It described her as a "bright eyed 16 year old with an angelic voice, her warm soprano voice has just turned her new CD into one of the fastest-selling classical debut albums ever".
Not bad for a girl from Bryndwr.
Hayley has more royal appointments on her to-do list. and one of her more pressing engagements is next Monday when she is booked for a private performance with Andrew Llyod Webber as accompanist. No announcements have been made but it is understood she will be on a star studded stage alongside Paul McCartney and Elton John.The occasion is thought to be a private function for visiting US president, George W Bush hosted by the Queen and also including British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The months Diary:
November 10: Recording session for additional song on US Album (to be released in April).
November 17: Private performance with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
November 18-19 Video Shoot.
November 24 Royal Variety Show
(other artists include Pavarotti,Gloria Estefan,Westlife,Daniel Bedingfield,Donny Osmond,Busted)
Queen to attend.
November 25 Singing the theme song at a Celtic soccer match in Glasgow,expected crowd 65,000.
November 28 Performance on ITV Christmas Show
Special at Manchester Cathedral.
December 3 Saga Radio live performance and interview.
December 6 Amnesty International carol concert in Trafalgar Square.
December 7 Pre-Record performance on Michael Parkinson's Christmas Day Special.
December 10 Performance with Jose Carreras at the Royal Albert Hall.
December 12 Royal Albert Hall
Sargent Cancer Care concert.
Fresh Horizons for Hayley
Christchurch Star July 9th 2003
The Christchurch girl with the voice of an angel is spreading her wings.
Hayley Westenra,whose debut international albim,Pure,will be launched in New Zealand on July 17,is off on an eight month promotional tour.
It will take her to Australia,Hong Kong,Korea,and Singapore and then to the United Kingdom.
A concert in Wales with international tenors Bryn Terfel and Jose Carreras ,and two in London,will be highlights in a dreamlike trip that will introduce the year 12 Burnside High School student to the music world.
I'm going to miss my family and my friends and just being home,with space outside.But what i'm doing is just so exciting," the 16 year old singer said.
Alongside the glamorous gowns in her suitcase will be lots of natural herbal products designed to keep the young
vegetarian healthy.
Last year, Hayley signed with Decca Records,
International the world's largest classical label and home to greats such as Andrea Bocelli ,Pavourotti and Russell Watson,
Hayley has broken new artistic ground in her choice of songs for Pure.
Before,I was singing show tunes and light classical music. It was all one genre,whereas now i've got a lot more variety.
I'm going to more extremes withproper classical pieces and poppier songs.
Making this album has broadened the way i sing, I've developed different singing styles."
And for the time being,that is just where she wants to stay.
Sometimes i think i'd like to be an Opera singer one day,but when i hear Celine Dion and other people,I'd love to do that too.I guess you see how it goes.You feel your way through."
For the moment,life is exciting enough.
When your recording,it's a relaxed atmosphere and a fun experience,but when you're performing live,its a real buzz."
It won't all be promotional work and travel for the young student,halfway through her sixth form year,however.
A tutor has been engaged in London to help her keep up with school work.
I'll be working towards some GCE subjects,English language,English literature,French,German,Science,Maths,and History."
2001
Hayley was in the 2001 May edition of The Tearaway Magazine
here is her Star Bio.
Age 14
Hometown Christchurch
Biggest Achievement Getting record contract with Universal
Biggest Goal That my album will go International
Best friend I hang round with a group of friends who are all really supportive and fun to be with.
Role Model My Mum and Dad
Favourite Song of all Time Just recently i became hooked on the song "Like a Bird" Nelly Furtado
Favourite Song on My CD " I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Miserables,i also really like the song "All I Ask Of You" from the musical The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.Its a duo with Shaun Dixon who has an amazing voice.I just feel so lucky to be singing with him.
Most Inspirational Moment The first time i went busking.It's an amazing feeling to put a hat in front of you,start singing and watch people put money in your hat."If you can busk you never really need to worry about getting some money.If you needed to you could busk for your lunch."
Best Advice I've Ever Been Given "Think positively about mistakes and just treat them as a learning curve knowing that next time you will be able to do better having had more experience.Never give up just because of some small mistake".
