School of Music alumna Larissa Kent has been awarded a 2023 Kia Ora Foundation Patricia Pratt Scholarship to support her study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM).
Photo: Calvin Peter Baker
Originally from Havelock North, Larissa Kent, 25, is thrilled to have been awarded a Kia Ora Foundation Patricia Pratt Scholarship to undertake a Master of Music in Performance Classical Voice at one of the most prestigious music academies in the world. The two-year intensive programme will consist of voice lessons, vocal coaching, opera scenes productions, stagecraft, ensemble work, and many performance opportunities.
“I’m so excited to be studying at SFCM and incredibly grateful for receiving this scholarship to help me get there. Attending SFCM will provide incredible learning opportunities and I am honoured to be accepted into César Ulloa’s studio, one of the world’s finest voice teachers.”
THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY MADE POSSIBLE BY RECEIVING THE KIA ORA FOUNDATION PATRICIA PRATT SCHOLARSHIP AND I CANNOT WAIT TO EMBARK ON THIS ADVENTURE AND TO CONTINUE SHARING MY PASSION FOR THIS MAGNIFICENT ART FORM!
-Larissa KentSoprano
Larissa graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in Classical Voice Performance from Te Whare o ngā Pūkōrero Pūoro, School of Music, where she studied with Swedish mezzo-soprano Catrin Johnsson.
Larissa’s vocal coach Rachel Fuller says, “Her high level of musicianship is apparent in her singing with a wonderful sense of legato, attention to details and style, refined ensemble skills and a great desire to find expressive colours in her sound. Larissa is an exceptional talent, with a glorious young voice of enormous potential – and a determination to match.”
