2010 Recipients Citations

2011 Porirua Youth Awards Citation

Leonardo Coghini

Leonardo returned home along with his choir group (Kapiti College and Nga Manu Tioriori) from attending the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati 4th - 8th June 2012. Kapiti College choir were recipients of one of the silver awards. Leonardo fulfilled his role, playing the piano accompanying the choir, and was given (in his words) the loudest applause when their choir leader turned to acknowledge him. Also, Leonardo received great news while being away on the trip; he was selected as one of the finalists to the NZSM Youth Improvisational contest and also to participate in the NZ Jazz Youth orchestra - Piano for 2012.

A big thank you to Partners Porirua and participating sponsors, and the 2011 Porirua Youth Awards for financially ciontributing an immense amount towards Leonardo's trip. We're especially grateful to all his teachers too - NZSM Young Musicians Programme, Cary Baxter, Val Bean, and Dorothy Buchanan, Linda McDonald.

Dominic Wooldridge

"Thank you again for my award last year, I used it for a footaball tour to Japan in January. This was an amazing time in which I met some great people and experienced Japanese culture. I played with and against some of the best players from Hiroshima's San Frecce Juniors. I learnt they are very skillful and fast. I think this experience has helped me improve my playback in New Zealand with the Capital Federation team and my Western Suburbs club team. I have also been fortunate to be selected to take part in the National Talent Centre, I am sure my experience in Japan has helped me achieve this."

Asaph Verner

"I would like to thank you ofr supporting my musical project. My experience in America was one I have never had before and it was incredible because I saw a completely different world of music. There were so many different musical avenues to explore and the environment was both inspiring but extremely intense. I spent most of my time in Philadephia and New York which are both considered the centre of classical music in America. I learned so much musically and also grew as a person. I met many people, had lessons and watched concerts and all this opened me up and helped me to understand how intensely dedicated I need to be to my dreams. Anything is possible, but I need to desire and follow that dream with all my heart.

Listed below are the highlights of my trip to America:

Went to concert at Carnegie Hall - The Julliard School, Lincoln Center, New York
Heard Philadephia Orchestra concert
Attended Curtis Orchestra rehearsals and concerts in Philadephia and New York
Present Curtis Opera preparation and dress rehearsal
Attended Curtis Master class with Hsin-Yun Huang
Listened to Curtis Student Recital Series concerts
Attended Symphony in C rehearsals - where pianist Sara Danehpour was performing Schumann Piano Concerto
Shadowed a student at the Curtis Institute of Music and watched chamber music and duo rehearsals
Volunteered for the Curtis Institute of music, development office
Auditioned at the Curtis Institute of Music

Thank you for supporting this incredible journey I took on. I grew so much and I look forward to continuing along this path and taking every opportunity that I possibly can."

Fuatino Malo-Siolo

"It's been a great year for me and the award I received has helped me tremendously. I really appreciated you considering me for this award, and the funds went towards continuing singing and violin lessons and NZSSC camps.

In the past year, I have performed for Telecom, Christmas Big Sing in the Wellington Town Hall, The launch of "Streets Ahead" here in Porirua, I also auditioned for the NZSSC 2011-2012 and was successful again. With the help of the award I have become the only student in Tawa College to represent NZ in singing and I have just recently performed for the St Johns Knighthood in Wellington where the Governor General was present.

In June this year, I received an award at the "Big Sing" competition, as a "commended Student Director" for our choir "The Early Birds".

July and August brings more barbershop and Big Sing National competition here in Wellington, Tawa College music production, NZSSC camp in Auckland in July, and I am also preparing for the " Teuila Festival" in Samoa, which I have had the honour to be invited to sing at."