21-year-old Jake Church is “one of the most exciting
young classical guitarists in the country” (The Gisborne Herald,
13 July 2015). Jake is studying a post-graduate Honours degree in Music at the
Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, under the tuition of Dr
Jane Curry. He has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of New Plymouth, NZ for
the past three years, and has also received annual funding from the Dame
Malvina Major Foundation and the Mt Egmont Masonic Lodge.
Jake’s success at the inaugural New Zealand Classical Guitar
Competition in 2014, when he gained second place overall and the Audience
Choice Award in the Open Division, has led to great performance opportunities
around New Zealand. By achieving the highest grade in the guitar program’s
mid-year recital, he won the Jack C Richards Music Award, which entailed a
guest solo performance at the Gisborne Tairawhiti Museum Concert Series.
Alongside his solo commitments, he is a founding member of Duo Kitā. The classical
guitar duo gained the Freemasons Lankhuyzen/Whetu-Kairangi Music Award which
supported their debut tour of New Zealand this year. Besides performing around
the country, Jake tutors as part of Massey University’s Young Musician Program
and privately teaches when he returns to New Plymouth during his study breaks.
Having the support of New Plymouth Rotary has enabled Jake
to accomplish these endeavours, with a main goal to pursue a Masters in
Classical Performance in an overseas program. Assistance from the Rotary club
and the encouragement of his family and friends has always driven Jake to
expand his limitations in turn, “leading him to have honed a variety of
intriguing repertoire” (The Gisborne Herald, 9 July 2015). Jake is
extremely appreciative for the work and support of the Charitable Trust of the
New Plymouth Rotary Club, and also over the years presidents Walter Garrett,
Jan Dempsey and Bob Maxwell, along with the generous guidance of the club’s
members.
