Meet Raewyn Watkins
You may have seen her waving her arms about for the children at the Mercury Bay Performing Arts production of Aladdin in May of this year, or seen her teaching your children music at a rehearsal.
However, what many may not realise is that Raewyn Watkins, who moved permanently to Whitianga in December of last year, is in fact a well-seasoned and experienced performer in her own right, with more than 40 years on stage to her name.
Starting at an early age, treading the boards of Hamilton’s Founders Theatre from the age of 14, she performed in many shows and has gained an impressive CV, including lead roles in Die Fledermaus alongside Dame Malvina Major, Ellen in Miss Saigon, and Cathy in The Last 5 Years — never-to-be-forgotten memories for her.
Raised in the Waikato, Raewyn has never forgotten the tutelage gained from many performers and teachers who had been in the theatre a lot longer than her. So now, as an adult, with not only experience but formal training to her name, she feels passionately about giving back and supporting young talented people keen on taking to the stage.
Part of this ethos led her to secure the role of tutor of the Musical Theatre and Stagecraft classes at Riverlea Theatre in Hamilton, where at the end of each year the students presented their own show, imagined by students and tutor. “It was such a thrill to watch students develop throughout the year, some lacking in confidence and stage experience, to then see them shine on stage in the end-of-year showcase. I’ll never tire of the feeling of pride, watching their growth,” she says. “That is why I got involved with Mercury Bay’s production of Aladdin, after living here for only seven weeks. It’s really important to support our arts, and the children who will be the next generation of performers.”
Since moving to Whitianga, Raewyn has started taking on private students who are looking to develop their vocal performance skills, interpretation, technique, and connection with their audience.
As well as formal singing training from the age of 12, Raewyn studied the internationally established Estill Vocal Training Course in Auckland, led by some of the Royal Opera House of London vocal faculty.
Six months prior, Raewyn embarked on a new musical journey and passion. She auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Stanford University Jazz Vocal Program in Palo Alto, California. Here she was tutored by some of the world’s foremost jazz specialists, including Dena DeRose (multiple Grammy-nominated artist).
That experience took her into a newly explored genre of music, which she still performs today.
It was around this time that Raewyn reconnected with school friend Stephen Small.
Studying classical piano and composition at Guildhall School of Music, London, he holds a Master of Arts in Popular Musicology and a Doctorate of Musical Arts.
Stephen has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s busiest and most in-demand producers, arrangers, and piano players.
In New Zealand he has played keyboards for bands like Autozamm, Opshop, and the Verlaines, played on the NZSO studio recording for Peter Jackson’s King Kong, and arranged music for the likes of Shihad, The Exponents, Shona Laing, and the Lady Killers, plus many more.
Overseas, Stephen has played piano for the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Missy Higgins, Michael Bolton, and Mel C (Spice Girls), alongside David Foster (Josh Groban/Whitney Houston).
One highlight for Stephen was orchestrating music for the London Symphony Orchestra, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios — a full-circle moment, due to his thesis on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s album as part of his Doctorate.
After returning from Stanford University, Raewyn performed her own concerts, Moments of Time, at the Meteor Theatre in Hamilton, with full musical support. These sold out almost a month before opening, with Stephen at the Musical Director helm as well as taking charge of the Steinway Grand. The Meteor was transformed into an intimate jazz club, where, in the words of Sam Edwards of the Waikato Times review, “Real Jazz returns.”
His enthusiasm and review of Watkins was not just complimentary, but also well informed of the genre and great female legends that came before — notably Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more. As Edwards noted, “Raewyn Watkins sang classics, putting her own version on things. Drawing together voices from the past and the present to create her own identifiable sound.”
Not long after the sell-out shows at the Meteor, two more sell-out shows at the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival followed, this time as a trio.
An audience that covered four generations is a testament to a well-thought-out set, with music such as the bossa nova Boy from Ipanema to Nat King Cole’s The Very Thought of You, which are firm favourites.
Raewyn was then commissioned as Musical Director for a lengthy season of a cabaret-style entertainment production, training a young and talented cast in many varying vocal styles. That same year she took on the Vocal Director role for Waikato’s production of the Broadway show Spring Awakening. The vocal complexities and sensitivity required gained great reviews and recognition.
After a short break, her brainchild Orchestral Moments concerts came to fruition.
Popular music by the likes of The Beatles, Elton John, Diana Krall, The Eagles, and many more were set to beautiful original orchestral arrangements by Stephen Small, and backed by some of Waikato’s finest professional musicians, once again led by Small.
Now, relocated to the beautiful Whitianga, Raewyn wants to bring her style of the classics to town. She is thrilled to be able to secure Stephen Small once again, for one night only at Monkey House on 8 November.
This will be a relaxed evening of moody jazz, blues, and swing. Buy your tickets here.
One night… not to be missed!
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