26 Mar 2019

Three New Zealanders honoured by Royal Academy of Music

From Upbeat, 12:00 pm on 26 March 2019

Three New Zealanders have been recognised for their contribution to excellence in music by the Royal Academy of Music in its 2019 honours list.

Pianists Rachel Fuller and Rosemary Stott, along with soprano Morag Atchison were elected as Associates of the Royal Academy of Music this month.

The award recognises past students of the Academy “who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution to it in their particular field”.

Rosemary Stott

Rosemary Stott Photo: Supplied

Christchurch based Rosemary Stott studied at the Royal Academy in the late 50s and 60s before embarking on a career teaching both piano and composition.

She also performs regularly with her piano trio Tresoli and provides support to many musicians and students as an accompanist.

Rosemary has contributed significantly to professional development opportunities for teachers and has overseen many conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses.

During her career she also sat on many boards and councils, overseeing the development of music teaching.

She was also one of the first New Zealand musicians to be appointed to the International Panel of Examiners for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

In 2019 she was made a life member of the New Zealand Institute of Registered Music Teachers.

She also taught a number of students who went on to achieve great things, including composer Salina Fisher and fellow award recipient Rachel Fuller.

Rachel Fuller

Rachel Fuller Photo: Supplied

Rachel Fuller is currently a Professional Teaching Fellow in Collaborative Piano and Vocal Coaching and is Coordinator of Keyboard at the University of Auckland.

Between 1997 and 2015 she was based in London and performed regularly in the UK’s top concert halls and accompanied some leading international singers in concert including Simon O’Neill.

She’s also worked with some of the most acclaimed organsations, including at the Royal Opera House as a répétiteur, vocal coach and diction coach for contemporary opera productions.

Rachel also worked as an accompanist in teaching studios for internationally renowned artists including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

She’s has also performed chamber music extensively and toured numerous times with Chamber Music New Zealand.

In 2017 Rachel was made Principal of Faculty and Curriculum for the New Zealand Singing School and in 2019 led the school alongside Catrin Johnsson and Judy Bellingham.

She was also instrumental in establishing a Facebook page to support New Zealand pianists.

Soprano Morag Atchison

Soprano Morag Atchison Photo: Supplied

Soprano Morag Atchison was also recognised for her contribution to music.

She is currently a lecturer in voice and the Classical Performance Programme Coordinator at the University of Auckland.

She is the first person to have graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Studies from a New Zealand university. 

After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Morag went on to have a career performing with New Zealand Opera, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and several other music groups from around the country.

She’s toured with Chamber Music New Zealand and has also performed in opera and concerts in the UK, France, Italy, Kenya, Seychelles, Canada and the USA.

Morag is a member of Voices New Zealand and toured with the group through England, France, Germany and Spain in 2018.

She also works with youth, as a vocal tutor for the New Zealand Youth Choir and the University of Auckland Chamber Choir. She’s a leading tutor in choral performance and has also passed on her knowledge as part of the faculty at the New Zealand Singing School.

This year audiences will see her in the role of Berta in NZ Opera’s The Barber of Seville.