Tait Memorial Trust

02/06/2026

Huge congratulations to Tait Thornton Foundation Award recipient .orehek on reaching the Semi Finals of the 2026 Hans Gabor in Jurmala, Latvia.
From Sydney to London, Ella continues to build an impressive career, earning acclaim for performances including Orfeo, Rinaldo and Lucretia at the Royal Academy of Music.
Recent reviews have praised her “poised portrayal”, her “finely sung” performances and her “quasi-Wagnerian amplitude”.
We are delighted to see Ella representing Australia on the international stage and wish her every success in the competition.
📷 Ella Orehek-Coddington
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25/05/2026

An evening of chamber music, wine, and conversation in one of London’s most extraordinary private spaces.

The Tait Memorial Trust is delighted to present the Karelia Quartet in Notes to Savour at the historic St Pancras Clock Tower on Friday 19 June.

Formed at the Royal Academy of Music, the Karelia Quartet brings together Australian musicians Megan Yang and Felix Pascoe with Finnish musicians Emil Hartikainen and Daniel Schultz. The ensemble has already attracted major international recognition, including performances for His Majesty King Charles III at St James’s Palace and prizes at leading chamber music competitions across the UK and Europe.

The evening combines a curated programme of string quartet repertoire with specially selected wines and flavours, generously supported by Global Victoria.

We are especially proud of our long association with Megan and Felix through their studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Megan Yang was first supported by the Trust in 2023 towards postgraduate study at RAM. Felix Pascoe received the Isla Baring Award in 2024, generously supported personally by our Chairman, Isla Baring OAM. In 2025, both artists received the Whalley-Goldie Morrison Awards funded by Michael Whalley OAM and Karen Goldie Morrison.

Proceeds from the evening will support the quartet’s continued artistic development, including international study opportunities, masterclasses, and performances across Europe this summer.

The quartet’s fundraising page:
https://gofund.me/d9871b31d

With grateful thanks to Peter Tompkins and Tim Wotherspoon for their generosity in hosting the evening within their St Pancras Clock Tower home.

Friday 19 June, 7pm
St Pancras Clock Tower
King’s Cross, London

Tickets via the link in bio.

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19/05/2026

La Stupenda.

The Voice of the Century.
Please save the date for a special London celebration marking the centenary of Dame Joan Sutherland.

Celebrating 100 Years of Dame Joan Sutherland
Wednesday 28 October 2026
London

Presented by The Tait Memorial Trust.
The evening will honour one of Australia’s greatest cultural figures and her enduring artistic legacy in the United Kingdom and internationally.

The celebration will also mark the release of a major new centenary publication:
La Stupenda: Joan Sutherland, A Life in Pictures, published by the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation and Hardie Grant.

Places are free to reserve. Guests are invited to make a voluntary donation to support The Tait Memorial Trust.

Further details to follow.

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14/05/2026

Warmest congratulations from us all at the Tait to the great NZ tenor Pene Pati. Wonderful to see him receive this singular honour for his work 👏👏👏 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿-post Our félicitations to .pati, who has been made a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government.
What a well-deserved and beautiful honour. We are proud to celebrate you - magnifique!
📸 Olivia Kahler cc

13/05/2026

09/05/2026

This month, Tait alumni and awardees are appearing across ballet, chamber music and musical theatre.

At the Royal Ballet & Opera, Tait Awardee Calvin Richardson from Traralgon, Victoria danced the lead role in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet. He was coached by Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, Tait Patron and Chair of the Tait Leanne Benjamin Awards.

In chamber music, the Australia House Ensemble presents Confluence at The King’s Chapel of the Savoy on Tuesday 19 May. The programme brings together outstanding Australian artists in London, including Tait-supported artists Emily Sun, Naoko Keatley and Thomas Rann, alongside Morgan Goff and Hugh Kluger.

We are also pleased to highlight The Sun Queen, a new musical by Australian soprano and Tait alumna Tarita Botsman.

The Tait Memorial Trust supports Australian and New Zealand talent across the performing arts.

Book Confluence:
bit.ly/confluence-ahe cc

28/04/2026

Leanne Benjamin Awards 2026

Applications close Friday 1 May 2026, 5pm GMT+1

Open to young dancers from Australia and New Zealand for study in the UK.

Eligibility
* Citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or domiciled there
* Under 21 as at 30 September 2026

Dancers
Submit your application today

Dance schools
Share this with your students now

Apply via link in bio

Photo credit
Leanne Benjamin in Requiem, The Royal Ballet
© ROH / Tristram Kenton, 2011

@enbschool @csbschool

24/04/2026

Thank you to all of you who joined us at Spring into the Salon on Wednesday 15 April. It was a special eve

We were honoured to welcome the Australian High Commissioner, The Hon Jay Weatherill, and his partner Melissa Bailey, and our Patron, Australian soprano, Danielle de Niese. Their presence meant a great deal to the Trust and to the artists.

We are grateful to Peter & Leslie Macleod Miller for their generosity in hosting the evening in their home. https://www.taitmemorialtrust.org/friends/

22/04/2026

Looking back on Spring into the Salon last week. A full house and a warm, generous audience enjoyed young Australian and New Zealand artists performing song and chamber music led by Ross Alley and Chad Vindin

A special evening in a unique private salon setting. We were honoured to welcome the Australian High Commissioner, The Hon Jay Weatherill, and Melissa Bailey, and our Patron, Australian soprano, Danielle de Niese as our special guests.

Thank you to Peter and Leslie Macleod Miller for opening their home and making the evening possible.

The Tait Memorial Trust continues its work supporting the next generation of artists as they build their careers in the UK.

Thank you to everyone who joined us.



.orehek

10/11/2025

Tait Wondrous Winter Prom — Wednesday 19 November 2025 - Join us for a sparkling, celestial-themed celebration dedicated to Barbara Ross, showcasing outstanding Tait Awardees from Australia and New Zealand. Artistic Director Ross Alley and Musical Director Chad Vindin have curated an evening of luminous song, show-stopping opera and virtuoso instrumentals in the beautiful setting of St Paul’s Knightsbridge. https://mailchi.mp/a661f6305474/tait-celestial-winter-prom-wednesday-19-november-2025