A decade celebrating the legacy of Sir Howard Morrison

The Sir Howard Morrison Scholarship was established in 2009 to enable Sir Howard Morrison’s enduring wish to recognise emerging talent. The scholarship has been a fitting tribute to Sir Howard by two of his friends – Sir Owen Glenn, who has funded the scholarship, and Dame Malvina.

The final scholarship was awarded earlier in 2019 to music educator Hannah Bryant. The Hamilton-based singing teacher and children’s community choir director has been studying towards a Licentiate of Trinity College London Diploma of Singing and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching in Secondary schools from Waikato University.

Hannah says being awarded the scholarship has let her combine her two loves: music education and singing.

“I knew that I wanted to further develop my technical knowledge. Being afforded the opportunity to have regular lessons with Dame Malvina while I completed my teaching diploma has helped me to continue to grow through music – both personally and professionally – over the last year.

“It’s a privilege to have a teacher whose vast experience is coupled with a warm personality and a sense of humour that never fails to bring a good dose of laughter to every lesson!”

Hannah says Dame Malvina has helped her develop the vocal and musical skills needed to be an effective singing teacher, soloist and chorister.

“Studying under Dame Malvina has been a wonderful reminder of how to learn, and why we learn. When your teacher has such an ear for detail, it motivates you to bring to life the smallest notes and words of a phrase as you work. In turn, I feel constantly inspired to pass on my new discoveries and learnings to my own students.”

This article was originally published in our Summer 2019/20 edition of Rhapsody. Download the pdf.