Naomi Ferguson : Profile @ Arts Front

Naomi Ferguson

She/her

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Naomi Ferguson & Deborah Wai Kapohe

naomijoynz@gmail.com

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Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand

Music / Sound Music or Sound Theatre Waitaha / Canterbury

Naomi Ferguson is a singer, actor and songwriter who has worked nationally in Aotearoa for over 20 years. She has created many of her artistic projects including her one woman show ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’ which was commissioned by the Christchurch Arts Festival in 2009 and which she toured throughout New Zealand in 2011. She has recorded three studio albums, writes and produces original music, and regularly sells out performances in Ōtuatahi Christchurch where she resides. Recent performance highlights include the sell-out debut of her show ‘Songs for Fallen Women’; appearances as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, and the Auckland Philharmonic, and her show 'From the Chapel to the Club' for the Jazz & Cabaret Festival. “Ferguson has that rare ability to wrap you up in her songs and, caressing every syllable, tell her story with directness and warmth.” The Press

Iwi affiliation

I'm of Irish, Scottish and English descent. I'm deeply committed to the work of decolonisation and the responsibility of being tangata Tiriti in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Rohe

I was born in Ōtautahi Christchurch and grew up in Tauranga, where I completed all my schooling. I returned south to study at CPIT Jazz School, spent time in Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington and The Netherlands, but I always return to Ōtautahi.

How I got where I am today

I can't remember a time where I wasn't singing and performing. I made music in church, performed in choirs, shows and ensembles all throughout school, and started in community theatre at age 10. That passion and love lead me to study at Jazz School and UC, in subjects such as singing, composition and creative writing. My love of arts and education has lead to work in academia both as an educator and manager. Performing and connecting with audiences is a privilege and a joy, and if I am able to, I will continue to do it for the rest of my life.

Whānau

My partner in life and work is a composer and musician who I collaborate with frequently. My whānau are creative and interesting people with strong links to visual arts, textile arts and creative theology. I come from a family tradition that strongly values the arts, education and knowledge. I also have a strong community of fellow arts practicioners who feed and support me.

What grounds me?

Reading, cooking, gardening, quilting, playing the piano, putting my feet in the ocean, walking in the hills, riding my bike, attending Quaker meetings, collaborating and communicating with fellow makers and artists, and trying to be alive and present to the privilege of my life in this world.

Naomi Ferguson & Deborah Wai Kapohe

Artform: Music

Development Status: Tour Ready

Media Uploads

Naomi and Debbie50498_Print300DPI

Off Centre - Meeting Point - 2 - Sunday - 2023

Off Centre - Meeting Point - 3 - Sunday - 2023

Off Centre - Meeting Point - 4 - Sunday - 2023

Off Centre - Meeting Point - 5 - Sunday - 2023

Trailer

Synopsis

Merging jazz and opera traditions, Deborah and Naomi present a programme full of surprises and delights. Their “spellbinding” debut concert in 2022 featured songs celebrating their individual musical journeys: waita, arias, jazz standards, originals, and favourites from each of their extensive catalogues of songs. Accompanying themselves on guitar and piano, their work celebrates their diverse musical backgrounds and shared love of storytelling.

As accomplished and experienced educators, Naomi & Deborah are also delighted to be able to offer workshops in conjuction with their performances. Workshops are able to be tailored to the specific needs of the community with the following topics able to be covered: vocal performance (from Belt to Bel Canto), songwriting, performance skills. These can be offered in masterclass or classroom style settings.

Naomi Ferguson is a singer, actor and songwriter who has worked nationally in Aotearoa for over 20 years. She has created many of her artistic projects including her one woman show ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’ which was commissioned by the Christchurch Arts Festival in 2009 and which she toured throughout New Zealand in 2011. She has recorded three studio albums, writes and produces original music, and regularly sells out performances in Ōtuatahi Christchurch where she resides. Recent performance highlights include her cabaret show ‘Songs for Fallen Women’ in the CSO Studio Sessions; appearances as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, and the Auckland Philharmonic, and her show 'From the Chapel to the Club' for the Jazz & Cabaret Festival. “Ferguson has that rare ability to wrap you up in her songs and, caressing every syllable, tell her story with directness and warmth.” The Press

Deborah Wai Kapohe - Te Ātihaunui-ā-Papārangi M.Mus(Dis)(Otago), BA(Auckland), BMus(Auckland), LRSM(Classical Guitar), and LLB(Hons)(Sydney). Born in Southland, New Zealand, Deborah has performed in operas, musical theatre, contemporary Māori music, arts festivals, proms, concerts, recitals, self-accompanied guitar and voice recitals, and special events throughout New Zealand and Australia, as well as in the UK, China, Pacific, and South Africa. Currently, Deborah is teaching singing in Christchurch and studying for a Master of Creative Practice at ARA Institute of Canterbury where she is focusing on developing a practice in Taonga Puoro. in 2023 Deborah performed the role of Eurydice in NZO's (m)Orpheus.

Creative Team and Crew

Naomi Ferguson - artist
Deborah Wai Kapohe - artist
Sound & lighting technician (if not provided at venue, particularly for regional tours where traveling by road)

Number of People in the Touring Party

2 for major venues, 3 for regional travel - see tech rider

Previous Seasons

New Music Central - Canterbury University School of Music, 2022
Off Centre Festival - Te Matatiki Toi Ora Arts Centre Christchurch, 2023

Reviews and Quotes

Naomi Ferguson and Deborah Wai Kapohe presented at The Arts Centre’s Off Centre festival in March this year. There were several reasons why we programmed this concert: both are consummate artists and never fail to deliver; both are highly engaging and entertaining performers. The concert demonstrated bi-culturalism in action. In a festival programme with a number of events requiring ‘heavy lifting’ from a production point of view, this is a programme that is easy to mount, portable and would be adaptable to a number of venue scenarios. One piece of feedback from our audiences sums the concert up succinctly - A wonderful concert. Two lovely voices from different backgrounds. Thank you.
- Chris Archer, Creative Director, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre Christchurch

The concert covered a wide range of musical genres, allowing the two vocalists to show off their impressive skills in a number of different musical contexts. It’s rare to see singers working at such a high level with this kind of musical diversity. The programme was perfectly chosen for the audience at the Arts Centre festival, and attracted a large audience of classical, jazz, and popular music fans. Naomi and Deborah have a rare musical synergy and their voices complement each other beautifully. The concert was so polished it felt as if they had been touring it for years. I believe that this would make an excellent tour, and the eclectic program will appeal to a broad musical audience while retaining enough standard repertory to satisfy more traditional audiences.
- Reuben de Lautour, Head of Composition, UC Music

I adored every minute of this show: the warmth and humour of Naomi and Deborah as hosts; the variety and choice of songs, which surprised, delighted and at times moved me to tears; and the incredible skill the performers brought as singers and musicians. I recommend it to anyone who loves music in almost any genre.
- Rachael King, writer, festival director

In a rare moment to myself I was (finally) able to catch Deborah Wai Kapohe and Naomi Ferguson's show at Off Centre Festival.

Naomi is well known for her commitment to administering creative practices in our city so we can thrive, but it can be challenging for arts administrators, who are often women, to find the time and energy to continue with their own creative practice. I was thrilled then, to see Naomi in her element sharing her stories.

This work was also personal for me. Growing up in Ōtautahi, there were few role models who looked and sounded like me in creative practices and public spaces outside of hapū based events, therefore when Deborah entered into the public sphere, it was a burgeoning moment for Māori representation and a pivotal moment for my own trajectory into the arts.

This is a powerful and thought-provoking work. At one stage the person beside me began to cry, we shared a moment of reflection and I was reminded that in the aftermath of so much trauma, how our city storytellers have played a vital role in our city's healing and rebuilding process. While access to resources continues to be a hurdle, and without resources it's difficult for our artists to stay here and to continue the work for the next generation, this is a show that remains hopeful. This show reflects the profound impact of storytelling in our communities through a lens that is uniquely Te Waipounamu, wāhine and Te Tiriti focussed.
- Juanita Hepi, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngati Wai, Ngāpuhi, multidisciplinary storyteller

Technical Rider & International Touring Info (if applicable)

View/download document #1 here