The Tait Memorial Trust (TMT) is a charitable foundation, which was first established in the United Kingdom, with the chief purpose of providing financial support to outstanding young performing artists from Australia and New Zealand. It aims to help those who wish to pursue post-graduate studies in leading performing art institutions or privately with internationally recognized teachers in the United Kingdom. It also offers performance opportunities in its many concerts and events in London together with advice and mentoring to awardees. The TMT was founded by Isla Baring OAM in memory of her father, Sir Frank Tait and his brothers, who played an important part in the establishment of theatre and the performing arts in Australia. Sir Frank, the youngest of the Tait brothers, carried the firm J. C. Williamson's into its most successful years dominated by the Sutherland-Williamson opera company in 1965 which brought Joan Sutherland back to her homeland.

At inception, the TMT's activities were based in the UK, reflecting a historical tradition of strong institutional links between Australian music academies and British institutions such as the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The Trust offers awards/grants for postgraduate study, performance opportunities to young musicians and classical ballet performing artists from Australia and New Zealand, and general help in the furtherance of their careers while resident in the UK.

History

The TMT was established in 1992, in the United Kingdom, the founding patrons being Dame Joan Sutherland AC OM DBE, Viola, Lady Tait AM, John McCallum AO CBE and Googie Withers AO CBE. Isla's mother, the soprano known as Viola Wilson, inspired her to organise a fundraising concert in support of a young Australian singer, Liane Keegan, who was newly arrived in London. Since then, the TMT has grown to become one of the leading supporters of Australian artists in the UK

In 2011 an Australian Trust to support the work of the TMT was created under the name of "The Tait Performing Arts Association". In May 2017 the Trust formally announced funding of young artists from New Zealand.[1]

Structure

Tait Memorial Trust

  • Chairman: Isla Baring OAM
  • Founding Patrons: Dame Joan Sutherland AC OM DBE, Viola, Lady Tait AM, John McCallum AO CBE, Googie Withers AO CBE
  • Patrons: Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, Danielle de Niese, John Frost AM, Julian Gavin, Piers Lane AO, June Mendoza AO OBE, Ermes de Zan
  • Trustees: Justin Baring, Isla Baring OAM, Anne Longdon, Matthew Phillips,[2] Susie Thornton
  • Committee: Lisa Bucknell, Fay Curtin, Meredith Daneman, Jan Gowrie-Smith, Wendy Kramer, Gayle McDermott, Sue McGreggor, Patricia Nimmo, Melanie Rendall, Margaret Rodgers, Barbara Ross, Ann Seddon, Jacqueline Thompson, Rosemary Tuck
  • Honorary Member: Nicola Downer AM
  • Music board: Dr Helen Ayres, Isla Baring OAM, Jessica Cottis, Jayson Gillham, Deborah Humble, Belinda McFarlane, Anthony Roden, Katrina Sheppeard,
  • Ballet board: Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, Isla Baring OAM, Meredith Daneman
  • Administrator: James Hancock

Leanne Benjamin Awards

The Tait Memorial Trust in collaboration with Leanne Benjamin OBE launched new ballet awards for young Australian dancers studying in the UK. The proceeds from the first event at the Royal Ballet School on 12 June 2014 were added to this scholarship fund. Australian students at the school including Sophie Moffatt, Josephine Frick, Kiely Groenewegen, Grace Robinson, Harry Churches, Connor Barlow (English National Ballet School) and Kenji Wilkie performed for an audience which included Lady Sainsbury and Sir Peter Wright. The evening ended with a masterclass given by Leanne Benjamin.[3]

The first recipient, Josephine Frick, was presented with a cheque for £8,000 at a Tait Friends event at Australia House on Tuesday 14 October 2014 as a contribution to her fees at The Royal Ballet School.

Alumni

The TMT has helped many young singers and instrumentalists who have subsequently performed with British orchestras, leading opera companies and major international ballet companies, including Thomas Rann, Daniel de Borah, Mary-Jean O'Doherty, Li-Wei, Amy Dickson, Elena Xanthoudakis, Valda Wilson, Yelian He, Lauren Fagan, Alexandra Hutton, Phoebe Humphreys, Siobhan Stagg, Kelly Lovelady, Simon Lobelson, Helena Dix, Miranda Keys, Liane Keegan, Benjamin Bayl, William Chen, Natalie Christie, James Hancock, Grant Doyle, Kelly Lovelady, Melbourne Chamber Strings, Melbourne Piano Trio, Derek Welton, Leslie John Flanagan, Jayson Gillham, Morgan Pearse, Julian Gavin, Joanna Cole and Kevin Penkin.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "The Tait Trust announces support of young New Zealand performing artists". Tait Memorial Trust. 7 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "Tait Trustees". Tait Memorial Trust. 14 March 2018.
  3. ↑ "The Leanne Benjamin Awards 2015". Tait Memorial Trust. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "Home". taitmemorialtrust.org.
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