EDUCATION: WESTLAKE GIRLS
Musical Pathway to Yale University Lauren Bennett, who graduated from Westlake Girls in 2013, has recently been accepted into Yale University to complete her Master of Music in Performance Violin. Yale is an Ivy League University in New Haven, Connecticut, and places there are only offered at graduate or post graduate level. It is an extremely competitive university to gain acceptance into, as all students receive a full fees scholarship, including a small stipend towards their living expenses. Lauren is thrilled to begin her study there this September after completing her Bachelor of Music Honours at Auckland University.
…she achieved unprecedented success in the Chamber Music New Zealand Competition by winning the national competition consecutively for two years. Lauren comes from a very musical family and has a string of musical accomplishments to her bow. While attending Westlake, Lauren was the concertmaster of both the Westlake Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. As a member of the Westlake Girls string quartet 'Geist', she achieved unprecedented success in the Chamber Music New Zealand Competition by winning the national competition consecutively for two years. 'Geist' also travelled to China to perform with New Zealand pianist John Chen. While still in Year 13, Lauren travelled to Germany and placed fifth in the Kloster International Violin Competition. In 2015 Lauren won the Penman/Royal Overseas League scholarship, travelling to London with her Duo partner, Pianist Bradley Wood, performing concerts in London and around England and Scotland. In 2016 Lauren placed second in the Graduation Gala Concerto Competition at Auckland University. She has also performed as a guest soloist with the APO, performing “The Lark Ascending” for their annual “Settling the Score” concert.
Lauren Bennett performing with the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra with Uwe Grodd conducting.
Young Athlete Wins Top Awards Talented young athlete Kaia Tupu-South has just received two prestigious awards at the Auckland Junior Athletics Awards: Auckland Athlete of the Year for 14-year-old Girls Auckland Junior Female Sports Person of the Year
A multi-skilled athlete, her current focus is on the heptathlon where her strength across track and field events comes into its own. Kaia has been involved in athletics since the age of five and her dedication to the sport is paying dividends. A multi-skilled athlete, her current focus is on the heptathlon where her strength across track and field events comes into its own. Kaia is currently coached by Walter Gill, father of Olympian Jacko Gill, and her talent in shot put has led to a residential record of 14.36m and an Auckland championship record of 13.81m.
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Issue 77 - June 2017 www.channelmag.co.nz
Kaia Tupu-South competing at the Auckland Athletics Championships.