Auckland Committee

Formed in 2005, several events have taken place with Dame Malvina and performers including well-established and promising young artists.

Music afternoons have taken place several times at the Grace Joel and Sir Edmund Hillary Retirement Villages (Ryman Healthcare Ltd Retirement Villages) as well as at the Pakarunga Park Village and the Howick Club.

Dame Malvina with her emerging artists and other young performers are always a great attraction.

Future events are being planned.

Christchurch Regional Committee

The Christchurch Regional Committee has undertaken many projects and events since it began in 1997.

Since 2002 grants totalling over $195,000 have assisted young developing artists through The Arts Excellence and High Achiever Awards programmes, an excellent partnership with The Canterbury Community Trust. Prizes have been awarded at The Christchurch Competitions and many benefit concerts have taken place. Soprano Anna Leese and pianist Kirsten Simpson, now free-lancing in London and French horn player Euan Harvey, resident with the Sydney Symphony, were some of the outstanding recipients.

Major fundraising is achieved through celebrity Golf Tournaments in which Dame Malvina herself takes part, at Terrace Downs High Country Resort and in many concerts and recitals, some as part of the Christchurch Arts Festival.

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation Opera Aria prize of $4000 is awarded to the first place-getter in the Christchurch Competitions.

Dame Malvina has also showcased her emerging artists at Ryman Healthcare Ltd Retirement Villages such as the Ngaio Marsh and Anthony Wilding Retirement Villages in Christchurch and Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village in Nelson.

The Akaroa Summer Festival was a great success in January. The Foundation supported vocal masterclasses with international tutors for over 20 young singers who took part with Dame Malvina in the final Gala Concert in the Gaiety Hall.

Dunedin Committee

The Dunedin Committee was launched on 9 March 2009 by Mayor Peter Chin at the Glenroy Auditorium. Dame Malvina performed along with local singer Claire Barton and both were accompanied by Terence Dennis.

The committee was formed under the leadership of Judy Bellingham, prominent singing teacher and performer, and events will take place to give profile to the Foundation and to make grants available for young performers.

Dame Malvina and young artists have performed at events in the Rowena Jackson Retirement Village (Ryman Healthcare Ltd Retirement Villages) in Invercargill.

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation awards the second prize of $3000 in the Otago Daily Times Aria Contest.

Taranaki Regional Committee

Taranaki has a wide range of quality performers and a rich history in performing arts producing outstanding talent, including Dame Malvina herself. Since being established in late 2006 the Committee has enjoyed significant growth and success in its goal to support the development of talent in the region.

The committee seeks to support predominantly young Taranaki performers, and provide educational and training opportunities specifically designed to assist and develop the skills of local youth involved in the performing arts.

Achieving this goal has been made easier through the very generous support the TSB Community Trust in the form of a $100,000 annual grant to be distributed to promising young artists from the region. Grants are allocated over three categories earmarked for varying stages of the performer's development for Secondary, Elite/ Tertiary level and Groups and Organisations.

Grants are open to talented youth from anywhere within the Taranaki district and can be applied for in two annual funding rounds closing on 31 March and 30 September each year.

Downlaod the application form (192k PDF)

Wellington Committee

Since its beginning in 2000 several events have been held at Government House, the Wellington Club and Embassy residencies of the British High Commission and USA Embassy. Dame Malvina and her emerging artists are a great drawcard to these elegant venues.

Dame Malvina and young performers also feature at the Malvina Major, Rita Angus and Shona McFarlane Retirement Villages (Ryman Healthcare Ltd Retirement Villages) at afternoon concerts.

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation awards the first prize of $4000 at the Wellington Regional Vocal Competitions in August.

The committee is raising funds for Arts Excellence Awards for aspiring young performers and a major event will be held on 29 April at Kirkcaldie & Stains department store. Click on Events for more information.

Rotorua

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation provides the first prize of $15,000 at the New Zealand Aria competitions (formerly the Lockwood Aria) held each year late October/early November.