Hear Sister Mary Leo in a 1972 interview (with Owen Jensen) discussing her most outstanding pupils, including Kiri Te Kanawa, and something of her approach to teaching. (4 min 46 sec)
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Sound Archives / Ngā Taonga Kōrero
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T902
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I was a boarder at SMC from
Susan Mary Kerr... (not verified)
24 May 2022
I was a boarder at SMC from 1960 to 1963 and had an almost daily connection with Dame Sister Mary Leo. As a boarder I was one of several who were compellled to do household chores in the music school; a handsome building adjacent to the school itself. I often saw and heard her singing pupils practicing most days. Sister Leo was an exacting teacher but hugely popular. I was privileged to be part of the st Mary’s choir which performed in the Auckland town hall in 1962 accompanying the late great Mina Foley …something I shall never forget. A voice even purer (if such a thing is possible) than our great Dame Kiri, also one of sister Leo’s pupils. Mina was going through some hardship with mental issues and the night prior to the concert she was billeted with us boarders in our dormitory (I think in an effort to prevent her doing a disappearing act before going onstage)…we star struck teens were besotted with her; she was very down to earth and almost like an older and very beautiful sister. I once possessed a vinyl recording of this concert which sadly I have lost. Even so I remember Mina’s Crystal voice, in particular the beautiful”Lo Hear The gentle Lark”..that voice could shatter a wineglass. So lucky to have been able to experience such a wonderful evening in an iconic venue singing to a full house.
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