Getting the pitch right
Fa’asua Makisi will sing with her famous uncle Ben.
Sixteen year-old Fa’asua Makisi will perform in a Wellington concert alongside her opera-star uncle Ben Makisi, in a bid to raise $4,000 for a six-month rugby and French student exchange in late August.
The St Catherine’s College pupil hopes having a famous opera singer as an uncle will help get her there.
Waking up at 11am to talk with Capital Times during the holidays, Fa’asua knows a lot of work lies ahead.
“I have a lot of practice for our concert, but sleeping in late is so great,” she laughs.
The family has raised around $1,000, with help from the New Zealand France Friendship fund, and hopes the classical concert will go a fair way to helping Fa’asua fulfill her ambition.
Fa’asua says she is just as passionate about rugby as the boys from her school who have secured scholarships to go abroad.
“The boys’ trips are always funded, because they are more important. But NZ women have gone a long way with less support,” says full-back Fa’asua.
She wants to be a rugby player because that “is not what is expected”.
At St Andrews on the Terrace, Fa’asua will sing songs from operas like Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story.
Uncle Ben Makisi, who has performed alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, likes to help talented youngsters.
Ben, a former Rongotai College’s first XV rugby player, says sport may be his niece’s forte, but she shines in many fields.
“She is a good little all-rounder, and she takes after her father on the field – he was picked for the NZ Colts at one stage. Singing is just a part of her talent, and it’s natural because her parents love singing.”
He says heading to Europe will be an eye-opener for Fa’asua.
“I went to Europe in my early 20s with a scholarship – it toughens you up and builds a lot of self confidence.”
At the tri-nation’s test last weekend, Ben sang the national anthem with fellow Pacific Island tenors, 25 year-old Boni Venture Moetaua-Allen and 21 year-old Arren Penepati.
Performing with the two young tenors realized a dream for Ben.
“I’ve had this concept of three Pacific tenors for a while and the game really kick-started the project. It has been a matter of finding the right combination, and now it has come to fruition we hope it will lead to bigger things.”
After the fundraiser, he starts a New Zealand tour before heading to Europe and Australia.
Concert tickets are available from St Catherine’s College or by contacting Fa’asua’s mother at petrasolia@hotmail.com. The $30 ticket price includes a drink and snacks.
Fundraising concert, St Andrews on the Terrace, August 5
Have Your Say
1 Comment
anthony at 5:51 p.m. on 30 November said
The Pacific Tenors rendition of the anthem was magnificent. One of the best I have heard!