“I really enjoy all the functions at Epsom Village”
Music has been a very important part of Dorothy’s life since she was born, her Mum had a beautiful voice and sang at the Church’s Choir. Dorothy started singing when she was 15 years old and she won the Most Promising Young Singer under 21 in the Auckland Competition. Dorothy still remembers very proudly that the adjudicators said “you will have a future with your singing voice”.
She had a future indeed, as Dorothy grew up to become an accomplished opera singer with lead roles in “The Magic Flute” and the “Bartered bride” and soprano roles in “La Traviata” and “La Boheme”. “ I have very fond memories of The Bartered Bride because it had the participation of the NZ Ballet and it was very colourful”.
Dorothy also performed in the NZ Premiere of Brigadoon where she had the Lead Soprano role of Fiona. Her musical career also had her producing and writing the libretto for an original historical New Zealand Musical, “Hobbs—Man with a Mission”, in 1994. On top of that, she was also asked to start the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Opera Society and she was the Auckland Correspondent for the Opera News.
If her musical career was not accomplishment enough, Dorothy combined that with her “day job” as a nurse and she also raised a family of three children. When she retired from being a nurse and an opera singer, Dorothy offered singing tuition for children, and she also worked at the Aotea Centre as front of house and leading the visitors’ tours.
Dorothy moved to Epsom Village four years ago. She visited several villages but Epsom Village was the one she liked more and it was the closest to her family (she has now nine grandchildren and one great grandchild!).
We’re very blessed to count Dorothy as one of our residents as she’s always keen to share her talent with her neighbours and she’s currently in charge of the “Talent Share” group at the village. When you ask her what her favourite thing about the village is, of course, it’s the social events. “This past year the functions have been really good, I really enjoyed the Garden party with Live Music… it was a good laugh!”.
If you’d like to know more about joining our community contact Lyn on 021 845 524 or email Lyn.Ellis@realliving.co.nz
