Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarship 2017/18

Monday 4 December 2017

 

Royal College of Music soprano Nardus Williams has been awarded the prestigious Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarship to support her studies at the RCM International Opera School.

Nardus is in her first year of an Artist Diploma in Opera, studying with Dinah Harris. She played the Fox in the RCM’s recent production of The Cunning Little Vixen and will be singing the principal role in a new commission, Lazarus, with Birmingham Opera Company in March 2018, which will be directed by Graham Vick.

The Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarship is now in its sixth year, having recently been extended for three years, and is offered by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation in collaboration with the RCM International Opera School. Nardus was awarded the 2017/18 Scholarship following a rigorous audition process, attended by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa herself.

On receiving the scholarship, Nardus said: ‘Becoming a Kiri Te Kanawa Scholar is an absolute honour. To have the opportunity to be mentored by, and receive guidance from such a celebrated and inspirational artist, is truly humbling. I look forward to absorbing as much as possible over the subsequent year, and am deeply grateful to receive this award.’

RCM Director, professor Colin Lawson said ‘The Foundation’s support provides our talented musicians with the opportunity to flourish at the College, enabling them to achieve their full potential. Nardus has the talent and determination to become an outstanding musician and the Foundation’s generosity will have a transformational impact on her education and development as an artist’.

Nardus is also supported by a Victoria Robey Scholarship, by Help Musicians UK and by the Winship Foundation.

Back to top