2015 is looking very positive with quite a few confirmed gigs- I am Blessed.
To leave 2014 with a bang Orchestra Wellington will present a New Years Eve Concert at the waterfront with guests Tim Beveridge and Stephanie Paris singing Movie themes and James Bond songs. I hope Stephanie sings Goldfinger!!! At the midnight hour we will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display put on by the Wellington City Council.
My friend Richard Tait has booked me as a surprise element for his parents very special 50th Wedding Celebration in Waikanae.
A 70th birthday party on Sweet Georgia launch cruising on the Wellington Harbour for Peter who came back to Wellington especially to celebrate this milestone with kiwi whanau and friends. It was wonderful to see Peter and Alison again as I played at their house warming party in Oriental Bay many years ago. I was very grateful to be asked to play for them again for Peter's special birthday.
DECEMBER: Not many christmas gigs since the recession so I was delighted to be booked by Dave Clarke Design, who celebrated a successful year with his staff and clients at Shed 5 in grand style.
Orchestra Wellington’s final Subscription concert for the year had as it’s centre piece Carmina Burana which was heartily acclaimed by the ecstatic audience.
A magical WOW opening cameo for FoodStuffs North Island 2014 Awards at the TSB Arena in Wellington. This performance was complete with a outstanding otherworldly lazer light show that enhanced my performance. I was most grateful to be asked back yet again to celebrate Foodstuffs annual event, along with the amazing creative team of Promote Events, Multi Media and Flying Pictures! See the amazing 4 camera video - I was stunned to see what it looked like from the audience point of view. All I saw was the arena in deep blackness with an amazingly mesmeric light tunnel swirling in front of me that I had to fully concentrate on not walking off my platform into Neverland!! Music by the awesome composer Jo Blankenburg- Illumielle he is my favourite composer now.
Video courtesy of Jeff O'Donnell Flying Pictures
An opportunity to support and play Purple Haze with the recently formed Virtuoso Strings in their end of year concert. These are children from the wider Porirua area who have been given the opportunity to learn string instruments. This opportunity is provided free of charge by my dear friends Elizabeth Syned and Craig Utting. Virtuoso Strings has attracted funding support from many local businesses including the Wellington and Porirua City Councils. This funding is used to buy instruments for the 60 students so that everyone has their own instrument. I was warmed by the proud parental community that supported these children. This support is most important as it is still considered a somewhat weird choice to play a violin or cello. The concert drew a large audience from the local community as well as WCC Mayor Celia Wade Brown, Minister Chris Finlayson and MP Chris Fafue.
Royal New Zealand Ballet season of a Christmas Carol took us into November. A novelty aspect was hearing the Ballet dancers singing something that I thought would be rather difficult while dancing. They sounded great.
New Zealand Opera season of Don Giovanni begins the rehearsal period with Orchestra Wellington. We were blessed to be working with the superb conductor Wynn Davies.
OCTOBER: A stunning gig for Farmlands 2014 Awards (formerly Federated Farmers) at Shed 10 in Auckland. I was so grateful to be afforded the opportunity to work with Tumeke kapahaka again. Our opening number was a hit with all those present. We were accommodated at the Mercure Hotel, apart from the superb rooms it is home to Vue Restaurant serving delicious food and affording us a magnificent view of the waterfront.
tumeke - amanda noblett & hemi ruru
Violin perambulations was a new experience, for the Australian Fire Fighters and Emergency Services Conference at Te Papa. The guest were ultra friendly and really appreciative coming up with very interesting music requests as the evening wore on.
SEPTEMBER: Sam and Muki’s wedding at the Pines in Wellington- gets special mention. In 2002 I played at the L’Oreal Hair Fashion Awards. Muki was one of the hairdressers who attended. Apparently she was so impressed with my performance that she decided then and there that if she were ever to marry I would play at her wedding. 12 years later having courted with her darling Sam, he proposed. Muki charged him with the job of finding me. I was amazed at the scope of his research and his sleuthing skills - he knew everything about me. He uncovered every interview, newspaper clippings I didn’t know existed,TV programs, publicity shots, paparazzi shots etc. I was very impressed! I played Muki up the isle to the very beautiful 1000 years by Christina Perri.
AUGUST: Brought a terrible bout of the flu which laid me up for 3 weeks resulting in having to cancel work all through the month.
JULY: I have just finished recording You raise me Up for Ross and Jasons' wedding, to use at their rehearsal on Friday. The wedding is being held at Windy Ridge in the Waikato a new venue for me. I am delighted to be part of this very special occasion and also grateful for the opportunity to visit my family who live in Hamilton.
To celebrate Matariki ( Maori New Year) I am delighted to be joining fellow artists Lisa Tomlins, Toni Huata, Georgina Beyer, Brannigan Kaa and other Wellington diva's for this special Menagerie Production. To see this wonderful line up, do go down to the Fringe Bar, 8pm Saturday 28 June, Allen St, Courtenay Place.
Orchestra Wellington's 2nd Subscription concert tour is coming up in the 3rd week of June. With works by Haydn, Mahler and Mozart. The orchestra will deliver this programme in Masterton and Kapiti as well as in Wellington. So as you can see June is a busy month.
Rehearsals begin for the local Gilbert & Sullivan Society production of the Operetta The Mikado with performances in Lower Hutt, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Kapiti and Wellington during August and September.
JUNE: Another successful gig for a favourite client, Orange Productions who hired me to entertain at the Property Council NZ Awards held at the Viaduct Event Centre Auckland. It was rather challenging negotiating perambulating space through the 1200 guests however the guests and I really enjoyed the experience, particularly when I was joined by two Maori warriors as they led the guests through to the spectacular banquet dinner.
APRIL: Maori TV production Te Ihi Kahurangi with a interview segment with Elena, has screened http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/te-iti-kahurangi-journey-success/S01E009/te-iti-kahurangi-journey-success-series-1-episode-Starts 17.15 mins in.
MARCH: Chris Parkin and Kathy Tipler's wedding, at Ruth and Paul Pretty's divine residence Springfield, Te Horo. After a early morning meeting with Chris, along with my trusty violin many tunes later, we confirmed Pachelbel Canon to be played while the registry was being signed which is Chris' favourite classical item.
FEBRUARY: Elena was delighted to be asked to play at her beautiful niece Alisha Nauta and Max Bile wedding at the Milk Station Otaki - it was such a wonderful happy happy occasion.
