Hayley Westenra Biography
Hayley Westenra (Hayley Dee Westenra) is a New Zealand singer, classical crossover artist, songwriter, and UNICEF Ambassador born on 10th April 1987 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her album ‘Pure’ reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003. It is the fastest – selling international début classical album to date, having made Westenra an international star at age 16.
At the age of six she was cast in the lead singing role of “Little Star” in the Christmas play at her school, Fendalton Open Air School. The teacher encouraged Hayley to learn how to play a musical instrument; soon after she learned to read music and play the violin, piano, guitar, and recorder. She then began voice lessons and discovered a passion for musical theatre.
Hayley attended Cobham Intermediate School in 1998 and 1999, where a performing arts building was later named in her honour. She attended Burnside High Scool from 2000 to 2003, she won a talent quest in her first year (Year 9).
Hayley Westenra Career
At the age of 12 she entered a professional recording studio to record Walking in the Air, a demo album originally created for friends and family. After finishing her album, Westenra and her sister Sophie busked in Christchurch, giving away a few of the original 70 albums (at the behest of passersby) and selling some of the latter 1000.
Hayley appeared on Canterbury Television. Gray Bartlett, the director of a concert promotion company, saw the show and became interested in working with Westenra. Shortly after, she was offered a recording deal with Universal Records New Zealand.
Hayley Westenra Hayley Westenra
Hayley Westenra released a self-titled album,Hayley Westenra, of show tunes and light classical songs, as well as My Gift to You, a CD of Christmas music. Following the success of her albums, she was offered and later received lessons from Dame Malvina Major.
Hayley Westenra
Hayley Westenra Pure
In 2003 Westenra’s signed a contract with Decca Records and recorded Pure, a CD of classical, light pop, and traditional Māori songs. ‘Pure’ became the fastest-selling international debut album in the history of
the UK classical chart, with 19,068 copies purchased in its first week alone, quickly reached No. 1 on the British charts, and entered the UK Pop Chart at #8. In New Zealand, Pure has been certified 12 times
platinum, making her the best-selling artist, regardless of genre, in the country’s history.
In 2004 Hayley Westenra recorded the end-title song for Disney’s movie Mulan II. They also featured her in the national Radio Disney music education tour for middle-school students. Later that year, she was featured in the song “Bridal Ballad” recorded for the movie The Merchant of Venice.
In 2004 Westenra won Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards winner of “Highest Selling New Zealand Album” and “International Achievement Award”.
On 20 February 2004, Prime Minister Helen Clark awarded her for being the first New Zealand artist to receive the tenfold platinum status in the New Zealand market, where she held the number one artist position for 18 weeks.
Hayley Westenra Odyssey
On 18th October 2005 her new album, Odyssey, was released in the United States. It was mix of classical, pop, Celtic, and new-age music, she co-wrote and arranged some of the tracks on the album
On 10th April 2006 a new version of ‘Odyssey’ containing several recordings not on the original album was released in the United Kingdom.
In 2005 she was featured on the motion picture soundtrack for The New World with the song “Listen to the Wind”.
On 5 September 2006, Westenra was named as one of the ten outstanding young people in the world by the Junior Chamber International, becoming the first New Zealander so honoured.
Hayley Westenra Albums
- 2000: Walking in the Air
- 2001: My Gift to You
- 2001: Hayley Westenra
- 2003: Pure
- 2004: Live from New Zealand
- 2005: Odyssey
- 2007: Prayer
- 2007: Treasure
- 2008: Hayley Sings Japanese Songs
- 2009: Winter Magic
- 2009: Christmas Magic
- 2009: Hayley Sings Japanese Songs 2
- 2010: The Best of Pure Voice
- 2010: Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart
- 2011: Paradiso
- 2013: Hushabye
Hayley Westenra Celtic Woman
Hayley Westenra joined Celtic Woman in August 2006 and was featured on their second major DVD/CD album, Celtic Woman: A New Journey, which was released 30 January 2007 and immediately hit the Billboard Top 200 music chart at #4. She toured with the group in the United States in 2007, with scheduled appearances in 88 venues across the country; the tour ended in June. During this time, Hayley alternated with Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, who had recently returned from maternity leave, to
maintain a five-member line-up.
Hayley Westenra Family
Her parents are Gerald and Jill Westenra. She has two siblings Sophie and Isaac. Hayley’s grandmother Shirley Ireland was a singer, and her grandfather was a pianist who also played the piano accordion.
Hayley Westenra Age
- Hayley Westernra was born on 10th April 1987 in Christchurch, New Zealand (31 years as at 2018)
Hayley Westenra Net Worth
One of the amazing prospectus from New Zealand and also young who has a big career in front of her, “Hayley Dee Westenra” has been one of the popular names right now in singing which made her net worth around $8 million.
Hayley Westenra Songs
- Across The Universe Of Time
- Amazing Grace
- Beat Of Your Heart
- Benedictus
- Dark Waltz
- Gabriel’s Message
- Heaven
- Hine E Hine
- My Heart Belongs to You
- I Dreamed A Dream
- In Trutina
- My Heart & I
- Never Say Goodbye
- Pokarekare Ana
- River Of Dreams
- Who Painted The Moon Black
- Wuthering Heights
- Gabriel’s Oboe
- Silent Night
- Now Is the Hour
- Tsubomi
- Listen to the Wind
- World in Union
- Both Sides Now
- Ave Maria
- Whispering Hope
- Pie Jesu
- E Pari Ra
- Quanta Qualia
- Never Saw Blue
- Time To Say Goodbye
- Summer Fly
- Never Say Goodbye
- Wuthering Heights
- In Trutina
- Mother Of Mine
- Here’s to You
- Peace Shall Come
Hayley Westenra Wedding/ Hayley Westenra Husband
In January 2014 Hayley Westenra reportedly married her fiance, Arnaud Sabard,in a secret ceremony in Canterbury. They signed an exclusive deal with Woman’s Day magazine to cover the wedding. They got engaged in early 2012.
“It was a rainy day, but nothing could dampen Hayley’s happiness. She looked exquisite,” Kitchin said.