Post by Richard on Oct 23, 2005 9:56:05 GMT
Hello everybody! 
There is a good article about Hayley in the New Jersey Express-Times dated 21st October 2005:-
www.nj.com/entertainment/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1129905974304910.xml&coll=2
Hayley Westenra: Pure and simple with 'Odyssey'
Friday, October 21, 2005
By MELINDA RIZZO
The Express-Times
Ever heard an angel sing?
Music enthusiasts of the area will have just the opportunity when 18-year-old Hayley Westenra, of New Zealand, makes her first appearance to the Lehigh Valley on Saturday at Easton's State Theatre Center for the Arts.
The timing of her album, "Odyssey," released on Tuesday, could not have been better for her fans.
Although Westenra toured the United States last year with the Boston Pops and has sung duets with Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel, she hits Easton with the understated elegance of a piano and violin accompaniment.
"Working this way is much more intimate," Westenra says in a phone interview from Canada earlier this week. "And it's a wonderful way to perform for an audience."
Westenra says the Easton performance will reflect the same eclectic mix of classics and pop represented on "Odyssey."
"Although there are covers like Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now,' I worked with a wonderful arranger who helped me to put my personal stamp on those songs," she explains.
From Giacomo Puccini's "Ave Maria" to traditional Irish music and folk songs, Westenra performs music that matters most to her as she mines her Welsh and Irish ancestry.
"I'm ready to get more involved in the process. I am more confident and want to try new things," she says in covering other artists she admires, co-writing original material and arranging established artists' songs.
"I really enjoy a variety of styles, from classical to jazz to pop music. That's what I love to sing, and you do your best with material you really love."
Born to be on stage, Westenra recalls her first performance in a second-grade school play at age 6 while living in Christchurch, New Zealand.
"I think it struck me then how much fun performing was," Westenra says.
In 2003 at age 15, she recorded "Pure," which sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
Westenra says she's more comfortable touring and living away from New Zealand today, but her new-found ease didn't come immediately.
"It was an adjustment living in London and away from my family and friends in New Zealand," Westenra reflects. "But I've a lovely flat and made some new friends, and that's helped a lot."
Her audiences are broad and reflect a diversity of age and culture.
"I seem to be very popular with younger girls, aged 10 to 12," Westenra says. "I make a point of meeting the audience after the show, and I have young, aspiring singers come to me and talk and ask questions. I love to spend some time with them. I like to think I'm approachable," she says.
Westenra recently was named an Ambassador for UNICEF, making her the youngest ever to serve in that capacity.
Best Wishes from London,
Richard
There is a good article about Hayley in the New Jersey Express-Times dated 21st October 2005:-
www.nj.com/entertainment/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1129905974304910.xml&coll=2
Hayley Westenra: Pure and simple with 'Odyssey'
Friday, October 21, 2005
By MELINDA RIZZO
The Express-Times
Ever heard an angel sing?
Music enthusiasts of the area will have just the opportunity when 18-year-old Hayley Westenra, of New Zealand, makes her first appearance to the Lehigh Valley on Saturday at Easton's State Theatre Center for the Arts.
The timing of her album, "Odyssey," released on Tuesday, could not have been better for her fans.
Although Westenra toured the United States last year with the Boston Pops and has sung duets with Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel, she hits Easton with the understated elegance of a piano and violin accompaniment.
"Working this way is much more intimate," Westenra says in a phone interview from Canada earlier this week. "And it's a wonderful way to perform for an audience."
Westenra says the Easton performance will reflect the same eclectic mix of classics and pop represented on "Odyssey."
"Although there are covers like Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now,' I worked with a wonderful arranger who helped me to put my personal stamp on those songs," she explains.
From Giacomo Puccini's "Ave Maria" to traditional Irish music and folk songs, Westenra performs music that matters most to her as she mines her Welsh and Irish ancestry.
"I'm ready to get more involved in the process. I am more confident and want to try new things," she says in covering other artists she admires, co-writing original material and arranging established artists' songs.
"I really enjoy a variety of styles, from classical to jazz to pop music. That's what I love to sing, and you do your best with material you really love."
Born to be on stage, Westenra recalls her first performance in a second-grade school play at age 6 while living in Christchurch, New Zealand.
"I think it struck me then how much fun performing was," Westenra says.
In 2003 at age 15, she recorded "Pure," which sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
Westenra says she's more comfortable touring and living away from New Zealand today, but her new-found ease didn't come immediately.
"It was an adjustment living in London and away from my family and friends in New Zealand," Westenra reflects. "But I've a lovely flat and made some new friends, and that's helped a lot."
Her audiences are broad and reflect a diversity of age and culture.
"I seem to be very popular with younger girls, aged 10 to 12," Westenra says. "I make a point of meeting the audience after the show, and I have young, aspiring singers come to me and talk and ask questions. I love to spend some time with them. I like to think I'm approachable," she says.
Westenra recently was named an Ambassador for UNICEF, making her the youngest ever to serve in that capacity.
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Best Wishes from London,
Richard
