SETTING THE STAGE
Singing sensation Hayley Westenra gives her vocal cords a rest to model spring's monochrome mood.
Styling Penny Hunt
Photography by Hugh Stewart
Words by Laura Bond
It was nearly 10 years ago when fresh-faced Hayley Westenra first appeared on the New Zealand music scene. With her rosy cheeks, blonde flowing locks and pitch-perfect voice, the 14-year-old's musical talent was not only mesmerising but a marketer's dream.
Her story has been well publicised. Born and raised in Christchurch, Westenra was discovered busking on the streets of the garden city with her sister and, while still studying at Burnside Hight School, the ebullient and sweet natural performer, signed with Universal Records.
Now 24, the accomplished soprano hasn't lost any of her natural charm and despite her extraordinary success - including the fastest-selling international debut album in the history of the UK classical charts - she has managed to escape the diva-like tendencies that seem to engulf many of her contemporaries.
Her latest album Paradiso was composed, orchestrated and conducted by Italian maestro Ennio Morricone. Famed for his riveting movie scores, Morricone has won multiple Grammy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs over his impressive 47-year career and was, up until several years ago, a figure Westenra had admired from afar.
"It is something of a dream prefect for me and I still can't take in the fact that I've worked with a such a legend. He really is a musical genius," Westenra says on the set of her photoshoot with MiNDFOOD. She says fans can expect something different from Paradiso, her fifth album since her debut, Pure, in 2003. "I'm notcrossing over to rock or anything, but it's still very different to what I've done in the past. Morricone really pushed me to my limits musically and emotionally, but in a good way."
Despite receiving critical acclaim and performing extensively across Europe, Asia, the US and even Iraq, London-based Westenra is still a Kiwi gal for whom Christchurch is home. "London is a great place to live, it's definitely the place for me to be right now but it is hard being so far away from everyone."
Beyond her love for her home, Westenra has poured her time and energy into her role as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, working with the Bikes for Ghana project that delivers bikes to girls in provinces who previously faced a long walk to school. "Going back and seeing the girls with their bicycles, it was such a humbling experience, and so I look forward to continuing my work with them for a number of years."
The down-to-earth, humble and evidently kind Kiwi songstress appears firmly planted in old-fashioned values and perhaps, most tellingly, a real love for her craft.
"Occasionally I crave a more normal existence, but then I remember I probably would miss it if I stop doing it. I will always be singing; I know that for a fact, but I'm sure that one day I'll want to take some time out. It's always been a part of me and I've always felt that urge to sing and it's a really natural thing. I enjoy being able to put a smile on someone's face or help them through a tough time."
