Singing & Theory Student, Kassia Youth Choir Member

K: What's your performing background?
KC: I joined Brecht’s ‘Caucasian Circle of Chalk’ in South Africa when I was 6 - I was playing a boy called Michael who everyone was fighting over and I never said one word! Then I came to HK and auditioned for Sally Dellow’s panto 'Pinocchio'. It was then I was sure that performing was what I wanted to do. After 'Pinocchio' I didn't get into a show for about 3 years but then I auditioned for 'Cinderella' and just had fun at the audition. I got in that time and haven’t stopped performing since.

K: How did you get involved with Katterwall?
KC: I was looking for singing lessons and my mum found you in the Dollarsaver - that was about 3 years ago. I started with Kassia Youth Choir when Matthew arrived. I still remember how Matthew gave me the whole speech about how singing is like being a car and that breathing is like petrol. The first song I learnt with him was 'Broadway Baby'.

K: What's your favourite genre of music to sing and / or listen to?
KC: I love to sing musical theatre, I love what it does to people's voices, how you can play and have fun with it. I listen to techno and alternative rock.

K: Please share your best performing memory:
KC: There’s so many! Being in the final of 'Broadway Idol' last year alone on stage, singing was a dream come true. I also loved it when I sang Madonna's ‘Don’t Tell Me’ for Kassia Youth Choir's 'Divas in Training'. But I think what I love most is the rehearsing part. Recently I was in a show and we rehearsed and rehearsed and finally after so much stress we got it right and seeing how professional we all looked made me realise how much talent there was in the room and it gave me chills.

K: What are your hobbies (outside of performing!):
KC: Dancing! I dance 5 days a week. I also enjoy writing songs for a band and re-mixing songs.

K: What is the most enjoyable part about working with Camille?
KC: She’s boosted my confidence to a whole new level, she’s fun and really funny. She’s helpful when I’m trying to get into the character of a song, she knows how to pull that out of me and also helping to relate it to personal experiences. She’s a great actor.

K: What are your plans for the future?
KC: I’m going to Cape Town to the Waterfront Theatre School to do a degree in musical theatre. I’m leaving late May and start on the 1st June, half way through the year which is going to be tough as everyone else will all be way more experienced than me but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’ll see what that experience brings me, because I’ve learnt through performing in HK that you can never predict where you’re going to be! I would like to thank Camille, Matthew, Bethan and Celia for everything and I will remember all you’ve taught me!

This summer sees the launch of Katterwall's newest project, Operation Opera! A 5-day educational and performance-based programme for ages 12 – 17, Operation Opera gives teens the opportunity to explore the integration of all aspects of the arts involved in composing, staging, and performing an opera.

Through workshops in singing, acting, dance, costuming, and makeup and the opportunity to apply these skills in rehearsals and performance, students see first hand how the performing arts, and specifically opera, is truly all the different areas of the arts come together. The week culminates in the performance of an adapted version of Mozart’s opera, Bastien and Bastienne.

For more information on enrollment or if you would like to bring Operation Opera to your club or school, please contact camille@katterwall.com.

The English Speaking Members Department (ESMD) of the HK-YWCA launches the 2008 Summer Programme in May.

There are At Home courses for newcomers and over 500 other exciting courses like jewellery making, arts, cooking, fitness, health and beauty, hikes, historical walks, parenting, Chinese medicine, languages, computers, and much more to choose from this summer.

For Children - Create your own Summer Camp: A huge range of Children’s courses is offered for creating a personalised Summer Camp in July/August to keep your child busy - learning and socialising. You can enroll your child for 1 week or for all 9 weeks.

Helper Courses: If you plan to be away from Hong Kong then you can choose from a variety of courses to keep your helper busy and happy over the quiet summer time.

For more information please visit www.esmdywca.org.hk or call 3476 1340.

1^stMay: Into The Groove – A Madonna Tribute with Soho Collective @ Melting Pot, 8.30pm
Like A Prayer, Vogue, Papa Don't Preach, Music...
LIMITED TICKETS from Katterwall Tel: 2575 3931

5^thJune: From Korea to Coldplay with Kassia Youth Choir @ Union Church, Kennedy Road
Fix You, When You Believe, Anything Goes, A Choral Flourish, Arise...
Tickets from Katterwall: 2575 3931

8^thJune: Ain't No Motown High Enough Reprise with Kassia Women's Choir @HKAPA, 8pm
Guest performers as part of an 'Opera Highlights' concert
Tickets from Tel: 31 288 288 / www.hkticketing.com

24^thJune: The First Five Years with Kassia Women's Choir @ Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 8pm
All That Jazz, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Cowboy Take Me Away...
Tickets from URBTIX Tel: 2734 9009 / www.urbtix.org

ALSO

30^thApril & 4^th May: MacBeth, Shouson Theatre, HKAC

7^th & 10^th May: Popcorn, HK Fringe Club

22^nd & 24^th May: Re-run of Flesh, Shouson Theatre, HKAC