Project Prima Volta

Project Prima Volta exists to give teenagers the opportunity to find their own voice, through song and in life.

Hawke’s Bay’s Prima Volta Charitable Trust offers kids a positive path to finding purpose and meaning, using music and performance. Project Prima Volta opens up a whole new world of hope, opportunity and shared experience to young people who only have one thing in common – their ability to sing in tune.

Each year 30+ teenagers from entirely diverse backgrounds are accepted for a year-long programme of coaching and mentoring. Training together for up to eight hours a week, they work alongside international and homegrown industry professionals as well as local performers and volunteers. Their hard work culminates in exciting singing experiences presented to audiences across New Zealand.

The focus extends from singing and stage performance, to backstage skills required to run a successful production. Along the way, the teenagers develop leadership, respect, trust, problem solving, self-reliance, teamwork, resilience and self-confidence. There is a ripple effect as they find common ground with the adult performers, developing friendships and being part of a collective success.

In 2020, we were thrilled to announce the launch of Project Prima Volta Junior - an after school singing academy for children in Years 6-9 who love music. With guidance from our fun and experienced staff, the children develop confidence and musicality through weekly group sessions, working together to prepare onstage performances and collaborations with our senior PPV students.