Happy New Year! News... I welcome you to take a look at my growing You Tube entries. Firstly, I recorded original songs over a couple of hours which are posted on http://www.youtube.com/deborahwaikapohe . In addition,  I am writing a 'You Tube diary' which looks at how I am learning the role of the Queen of Tahiti for the Trial of the Cannibal Dog which will be performed at the NZ International Festival of the Arts in Wellington in March 2008. The diary is growing which looks at researching the role/rehearsing and fitness. Of course a lot goes on behind the scenes, and I can only sing very short snippets as the role is part of a newly commissioned work by NZ International Festival of the Arts which will receive its premiere in March. However, there is very little on You Tube for those interested in classical music and I decided that a You Tube project for the Opera would motivate me .   If you would like to look at past performances also search 'Kapohe' on You Tube which will bring up past performances, both classical and folk. These include the singing of the New Zealand Anthem which has received nearly 7,000 views so far and for which I still receive fan mail.  I would also like to talk about a wonderful singer/songwriter who entered the Pacific Songwriting Competition and was awarded a prize. Her name is Kat Frankie and she has released her album 'PocketKnife' . I recommend talking a listen as she really is extraordinary, I love her vocal style and songwriting but especially I love her lyrics. Her song 'Wrong Side of Midnight' is one of my favourites of all time. I was really excited to read about her recently in the news here in Australia and to see her space on my space filled with performances.  Other news is that this January 3rd is University of Sydney Open Day, during which I have volunteered to be on the info desk for the law school. It was really off putting to go take a look last year and see a row of kids behind the desk. I really wanted to be there just in case other mums like me decide to re train as a lawyer and are considering Sydney Law School as an option. It certainly is difficult to manage the family and the study (as well as taking off to NZ or PNG to sing!) however it is a great law school with fantastic students and teachers and I'd recommend it to everybody that is interested to go take a look on open day as well as the museums that are open on open day such as the Pathology Museum and Archeology Museum. I'll look forward to blogging in February from New Zealand. Thanks for following my music! Deborah Wai Kapohe