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WINTER 2024 InTouch | 9 NEWS ROUNDUP Sophie’s a Star! Farewell Brian Thank you Brian! Sophie Davison, 10, recently competed in the New Plymouth Competitions Society Vocal Competition Sophie competed in three primary sections, Classical, Contemporary and Entertainment. Judged by Clare Martin who studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in the UK and Kawiti Waetford who was trained by Joan Kennaway. Kawiti has performed with prestigious orchestras and collaborated with luminaries like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Sophie placed: 1st in the Contemporary Popular Song, 2nd in the Musical Theatre Song, 1st overall in the Contemporary Primary Section, 1st in the Classical Folk Song, 3rd overall in the Classical Primary Section, 1st in the Choir class along Our wonderful Accountant and Business Manager, Brian Hadley, is retiring after 9 years with MDANZ’s National Support Office. Brian has been an influential part of the small tightknit team and will be sorely missed. We wish you all the best for the next chapter ahead, Brian! Above: Brian Hadley, Brian and the MDANZ team wearing stripes for Rare Disease Day 2018, Brian and the MDANZ team’s fundraising efforts 2017! Above: Sophie singing her Classical Folk Song ‘I Bought Me a Cat’. Courage Club If you’re a parent or caregiver of deaf, disabled or neurodivergent children, this podcast is for you. What we’re going to be talking about on The Courage Club are not easy topics, but that’s exactly why we want to talk. Join us on Spotify in The Courage Club here: www.tinyurl.com/mryt3r2a with her singing group ‘Violets’ in the Entertainment Section, 3rd overall in the Entertainment Section, Runner up for the Primary Excellence and Versatility Award. Sophie has also been invited to sing in the New Plymouth Competitions Society 75th Anniversary Gala to showcase the talented performers across the Vocal, Speech and Drama, Instrumental and Dance Sections of the 2024 competitions. Sophie has Type 2 SMA and has been singing in competitions for 3.5 years. Before beginning singing lessons, Sophie’s lung capacity was only 60% in comparison to other children of her age. After just one year of lessons her lung capacity increased to 83% and has remained so ever since. Congratulations Sophie – we are so proud of you!