Master’s degree hits right notes

Dunedin soprano Sophie Morris graduated with  master of music (performance) and bachelor of...
Dunedin soprano Sophie Morris graduated with master of music (performance) and bachelor of commerce (marketing management) degrees. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Dunedin soprano Sophie Morris (23) will celebrate her graduation today  not by heading to a bar, but to a rehearsal with the St Kilda Brass Band.

"I might have one drink before."

Miss Morris, whose performance as Sandy in Grease The Arena Spectacular LIVE  received strong praise, will graduate with master of music (performance) with distinction and bachelor of commerce (marketing management) degrees.

She will be one of three students to receive the new master of music (performance) qualification in contemporary voice performance.

The classically trained opera singer said she was invited to enrol in the pilot master’s programme by University of Otago Professional Practice Fellow in Performance Voice Nick Hollamby at a workshop run by Australian voice coach Dr Irene Bartlett.

"He said we are keen to develop this contemporary performance master’s and I haven’t seen someone who can switch so effortlessly from classical to contemporary jazz."

The programme,  which focused on the recording, production and performance aspects of contemporary music, was not the musical area which she thought she would study.

"Who could turn down an invitation like that?

"I hadn’t planned initially with the master’s going into that area, but I’m so happy that I did."

Under the supervision of Dr Ian Chapman and Mr Hollamby, Miss Morris curated and performed Sophie Goes To Broadway, a show at the Allen Hall Theatre in July 2015 where  she sang her favourite Broadway songs, alongside special guests.

She also recorded and produced the album Sophie Morris — Songs from the Stage.

Rather than a traditional master’s thesis, the works formed the crux of her qualification, she said.She juggled the demands of study towards her master’s with completing the final papers for a bachelor of commerce (marketing management) and rehearsals for Grease.

"Doing both concurrently, with commerce papers on top of a master’s, it was more than full-time study, but I like keeping busy.

"During Grease I had my final bachelor of commerce exams on and we were rehearsing each night."

Despite her hectic schedule she was awarded "some of the best grades I’d ever had", including A+s during her preparations for the show.

"It was a dream to be doing Grease as well."

The show was the perfect chance to apply techniques learnt through her master’s, she said.

Having completed five and a-half years’ tertiary study she intended to take a break but return in the future.

"I intend to go for a PhD.‘‘For some reason I have the number 30 in my head, to take your 20s to do all the risky stuff, and follow the singing dream."

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz

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