North Canterbury News: July 20, 2023

The Widest
Music Variety
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North Canterbury News, July 20, 2023
Alexandra wants to sing and fly
By SHELLEY TOPP
8
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Amulti­instrumentalist, singer and
composer fromOhokaisplanning to add a
commercialpilot licence to her impressive
list of achievements.
‘‘My aim is to become acomposer who
sings and flies,’’ says Alexandra Watson,
who also has aBachelor of ScienceDegree
in Mathematics and aBachelor of Music in
Performance fromthe University of
Canterbury.
She is studying for aMaster of Arts in
Music,specialising in Composition and
Performance Voice.
Alexandra, who was born in England,
and performs using herChristianname,
AlexandraHope, decided she wanted to
learn to fly after atrialflightatRangiora
Airfield.
She gained her private pilot’s licence in
2019, when she was 17, and is hoping to
qualify as acommercial pilot later this
year.
There is never adull moment in
Alexandra's busylife.
So far this year she has performed in
several concerts at Christchurch and
Rangiora venues, and she also travelled to
FranceinJuly and England in January
where she attended aconcertperformed
by popular Welshmezzo soprano,
KatherineJenkins, at London'sRoyal
AlbertHall.
‘‘Katherine has beenmyinspiration for
many years. Ihave been in the audience
for manyofher concerts throughoutthe
UnitedKingdomand most recently a
concert in the New Year at the Royal
AlbertHall in London.’’
Alexandraisalso the musical director of
the North Canterbury Academy of Music
which is celebratingabig anniversary
later this year.
‘‘This is my third year as musical
director of North Canterbury Academy of
Music,’’ Alexandra says.
In concert ... Alexandra Watson performing.
‘‘I thoroughly enjoy teaching my
studentsand hope that Iinspire them with
my love of music.
‘‘This year is our 40thanniversary and
we areworkinginpartnership with
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO)
to run our Anniversary Orchestral
Weekend in August at the Rangiora Town
Hall.’’
Alexandra developed alove of music
fromayoung age startingwith piano at
agedfour,followed by the violin, voice,
cello, fluteand finallythe harp.
‘‘Atschool in the United Kingdom we
wereintroduced to an instrument on a
termly basis, and Icould not resist the
temptation to learn,’’ she says.
She enjoys differentmusic genres from
classical to contemporaryand musical
theatre.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
‘‘I havesome good memories singing in
the Barbican, in London, and the
Sheldonian,inOxford, plus an amazing
performingarts tourthrough Italy.’’
However, sheislooking forward to her
performance schedule closer to home next
year.
‘‘My first concertofthe year will be at
The Piano in Christchurch on Sunday
February 18, 2024.
‘‘Thiswill be asolo concert aimed at
both the young and youngatheart,’’she
says.
‘‘Thiswill be followed by AMagical
Musical Mystery In Concert later in the
year.’’ Thevenuewill again be The Piano
with two performances on September28.
‘‘It will be the premier of amusicalthat
Ihave composed, and Iwill be
accompanied by members of CSO.’’
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