Pacific diva to offer workshops

Vanuella Watt from New Caledonia is referred to as the ‘Pacific diva’.

She will be presenting her new hymn for the Pacific Oceania in a series of concerts and children’s workshops, and will be in Palmerston North tomorrow (Friday) and one performance on Saturday.

She boasts an extensive range of timbres and tones, and fascinates her audience with her warm and natural personality.

Vanuella embodies the modern image and diversity of New Caledonian music through her repertoire built on both modern and more traditional takes on the “chanson franc¸ aise”.

Born in Villeneuve-sur-Lot (France), daughter of a Melanesian father, the famous sculptor Emmanuel Watt, and a French Italian mother, pianist Lucie Me´ nini, Vanuella was immersed from her earliest days in an artistic environment.

She was just six months old when her parents returned to the Pacific, initially settling in Vanuatu before moving to New Caledonia.

Vanuella began performing at the age of 10 and her talent continued to grow over the years.

She lived for several years in France where she recorded her first album: Revoir mes ıˆles (Back to my islands).

She performed at the Don Camilo, singing with diverse bands and was repeatedly scouted by French producers who invited her to the Midem de Cannes.

In 2000, she represented New Caledonia for the first time at the World Music Festival.

She has since toured the Pacific islands extensively, including Vanuatu, Fiji and Australia. This is her second time in New Zealand for this series of workshops and concerts organised by several Alliances Franc¸ aises of New Zealand.

■ Vanuella Watt, Saturday, November 17, 7.30pm, Events Central, City Library, tickets $15, available from www.french.org.nz include a glass of wine and nibbles. Children under-12, free.