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Although Hayley Westenra counts Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli among her favorite singers -- Dion for her vocal dexterity and Bocelli for his skillful mix of pop and classical music -- she plans to experiment with different styles as she charts her musical career. With her CD already a hit in the United Kingdom, Australia, and of course her home turf, New Zealand, Hayley's set her sights on the United States, where PURE was released in April 2004. Her striking voice has led to a profile on CBS NEWS SUNDAY MORNING, a guest appearance on NBC's AMERICAN DREAMS, and now a concert special on PBS. GREAT PERFORMANCES spoke with the singer while she was in Germany for a set of concert dates in October 2004.
GREAT PERFORMANCES: How do you protect your voice?
Hayley Westenra: Oh, I drink lots of water, for one thing. Your voice is a part of your body, so you do the things you'd do to keep healthy generally: eat really well, get as much sleep as you can, and not talk too much.
GP: Starting a career as young as you did, do you think you missed part of your childhood?
HW: No, I went to school just like any other kid. It's just that I did music lessons where someone else would do sports. And doing music, I'd meet other kids who loved the same stuff I did. I mean, I still had to do my homework!
GP: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
HW: Nothing drastically different, really. I'd like to explore various styles. Do more classical repertoire, by different composers; look into more folky kinds of music. I'd also like to write some of my own material, which would give me more creative control. And I'd like to work on playing an instrument so that I could sing with my own accompaniment.
GP: What was the most unexpected thing that happened once you turned professional?
HW: The number of people who were suddenly around me. I have a manager, an accountant, a business manager, a lawyer. And all the people at the record company: marketing, promotion, press people.
GP: Do you think that being from New Zealand has made you different?
HW: Oh, definitely. I had a real down-to-earth upbringing, with good values. And I've got the New Zealand attitude: I don't get stressed out, don't get caught up in the small stuff. When people hear I'm from New Zealand, they think it's so exotic. They must have seen LORD OF THE RINGS!
GP: What advice would you have for a young performer like yourself, just starting out?
HW: Keep on practicing would be first. And take the opportunities that come up. Every small opportunity can help you, and you never know where it'll lead. You have to be prepared for them.
GP: If you could start again, is there anything you'd change about what's happened to you?
HW: I think I'd have practiced the piano a bit more. But apart from that, nothing.
GP: If you weren't doing this, what would you be doing?
HW: Oh, it'd definitely have to be something in the performing arts. Dancing, acting ... I did a lot of acting as a kid. Or maybe I'd own a record store!
GP: Have you got any bad habits?
HW: Definitely! I'd love to learn how to be more on time. I always underestimate how long it takes to get ready. And I'd like to cut down on eating chocolate, particularly after a show.
GP: One last question: Beatles or Stones?
HW: You know the answer to that one! Beatles! I love the Beatles. I haven't really heard much of the Stones. My parents aren't big musos [music fans]. I mean, my mother has some records around the house I heard as a kid, things like Nick Cave and Kate Bush. I'm slowly discovering new music. Like I said in the show last night, I've just discovered Joni Mitchell. And Aretha Franklin! I just discovered her, too. Amazing.
An interview by writer Ed Ward for GREAT PERFORMANCES Online.
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