PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAMMES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 43, 19 April 1940, Page 20

PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAMMES

She Likes Driving Fast ERA YAGER, Christchurch, is a young, attractive person who enjoys life. When she is not busy playing the piano her hobby is "driving fast-such as racing trains in a Baby Austin." Born in Christchurch, she has studied the piano there under Alfred Bunz. She is too modest to boast of the fact, but she’can put about half the letters of the alphabet after her name if she wishesAT.CL., F.T.C.L., L.R:S.M. She has already got her Diploma in Music and is now studying for Mus. Bac. There are few better known young pianists in Christchurch; what with frequent broadcasts, solo playing, and accompanying work, she is very popular. She has lived in New Zealand most of her life, except for one trip in 1928 to Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, England, and America -in fact a traditional grand tour of which she has happy memories. In Germany, she remembers, she used to visit large political meetings, so was an unconscious witness of the birth of present political systems in that country. She ‘observed that the German people seem to like attending mass meetings and being harangued by speakers. She had meant to go to Europe again recently, but war came so the trip must wait. In the meantime she has plenty of interests in Christchurch, being a member of the Mayfair Ensemble, the Eroica Club, and several other bodies, besides doing her job. «x x *

Indian Scholar, Economist, Churchman HE REV. RAYMOND DUDLEY, who is well known to Christchurch listeners, was born of Indian parents in Tiji. His. father is a planter named Ramssamuj, with business interests in Suva and Sydney. He bears the surname Dudley by virtue of the fact that in his boyhood he was befriended and legally adopted by a Miss Dudley, an overseas missionary. He spent part of his early life in Australia and later was brought to Auckland. He proved an apt scholar in secondary school and university. He qualified for

the B.A. degree and was marked out for a legal career; but instead he offered himself and was accepted as a candidate for the Methodist ministry. He trained at Trinity Theological College and continued his university course, gaining a Master of Arts degree and a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Economics. He turned down the offer of a high overseas appointment to remain in the Dominion. The first year of his probation was spent in the suburbs of Wellington. In 1932 he was appointed by the Methodist Conference to the Taihape district; but, owing to the death of the newly-appointed minister to Wanganui Central Church, he was called upon to act as supply there for one year. He actually remained there for seven years-three years as a_ probationer supply, followed by four years as a fully ordained minister. His lengthy ministry in such a large city church so early in his career wes marked by conspicuous success and ability. Last year he married Miss Winifred Green. The 1939 conference appointed him to the charge of the Durham Street Methodist Church, generally regarded as the Cathedral of Methodism in New Zealand. His real hobby is his work.

Trained in Australia

M04 STONE, mezzo-contralto, is well known of Dunedin audiences. She received her early training in Australia, but has been resident in Dunedin for some years. Mrs. Stone has appeared with the Royal Dunedin Male Choir,

Honour in Wales R DUERDON, who often sings from * 4YA as artist for Dunedin’s musical societies, competed at the leading musical festivals in, England and Wales for several years. He gained first prize at the Welsh National Eisteddford in 1923. He organised concerts for the Banbury V.A.D. Hospital while convalescing during and after the 1914-18 war. He has sung for many Choral Societies both in England and New Zealand. He has appeared with the Dunedin Orchestral Society, Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association Choir, and _ other local societies.

Stage and Radio AYNOR PAAPE is one of the most experienced of Dunedin singers. She began her singing career about eight

years ago; and has since sung for all the major societies in Dunedin. Her clear soprano voice reaches to E in alt. and she has been most successful in operatic roles. Her singing of Ma:garita in Gounod’s "Faust," for the Dunedin Choral

Society, and her singing and acting of the part of Leonora in the complete stage presentation of "Tl Trovatore" by the Dunedin Grand Opera Club, were outstanding. Miss Paape has done much broadcasting, not only in New Zealand but also from 2FC, Sydney, and 3LO, Melbourne. She is a well-known member of Dunedin’s very active Repertory Society, and has taken parts in some major stage productions. * * * Scholarship Winner ‘THAT clever young Wellington pianist, Dorothy Downing, who is frequently heard over the air and has given a number of concerts in Wellington, was recently notified that she has been awarded a scholarship for pianoforte offered by the Royal Academy of Music. All those who have heard her, listeners and con-cert-goers alike, will wish her luck when she sails for England to continue her studies. Because of the war and the dangers attending travel by sea, the tutorial period may be postponed until after the war. For some years Miss Downing has been known as a promising pianist, and members of the British Music Society in particular know her work well. In 1934 Andersen Tyrer, who is now in Wellington, highly commended her for the Trinity College Empire overseas scholar-

ship. She has gained two exhibitions from the college in London and four local gold medals for the highest marks in Wellington. The scholarship she has now won was recommended by Dr. J. F. Staton. Miss Downing, who was a pupil of Mrs. McKay and latterly Miss Valerie Corliss, is often in the National programmes, so watch out for a broadcast. * % * Well Known at Concerts HAZEL WALKER began her singing training in Dunedin, and has dis-

tinguished herself at annual competitions. She has also sung at many concerts, for the Dunedin Royal Male Choir, the Orchestral Society, and Dr. Galway’s Organ Recitals. She has aung for radio for several years, :

Won Coveted Prize [SA DUFF (in private life Mrs. O. L. Garden) has been prominent in Dunedin theatrical and musical activities over

a long period. she made her first public appearance at the age of eight. She was a successful juvenile competitor in the Dunedin Competitions, and eventually won the coveted Grand Opera. Aria in 1938. She has appeared in many leading

parts of the Dunedin Operatic Society’s productions, and is an active member of the Dunedin Repertory Society and Playbox. She has broadcast from 4YA regularly for a number of years.