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RWCMD Hosts New York St David’s Day Fundraising Gala, Honouring Catherine Zeta-Jones

2 March 2019

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Conservatoire of Wales, celebrated Wales’ National Day, and its own 70th birthday, with a Gala Dinner and performance to honour new Fellow, multi-award winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The St David’s Day (March 1st) event celebrated one of the UK’s most regarded Royal Colleges, and raised money for new scholarships, creating opportunities for both US and Welsh students.

The Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship was launched on the evening with a very generous gift from Catherine herself, and will be awarded for the first time in September 2019.

Catherine was joined by guests including the College’s International Chair in Drama & RWCMD Fellow, Matthew Rhys, Fellow Kate Burton and her husband Michael Ritchie, alumnae and RWCMD Fellow, singer Iris Williams, and friends and supporters of the College.

The United States is the College’s most significant international market, with more American students choosing to train in Wales than from anywhere else outside the UK. The College is committed to growing its profile, networks and industry partnerships in America and to creating scholarships that will develop international cultural exchange between the two countries.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose talents range from film to theatre, was awarded her Honorary Fellowship in a ceremony led by RWCMD President The Lord Rowe-Beddoe of Kilgetty and was presented with the prestigious award by her long-standing friend, RWCMD Fellow and international musical theatre director Anthony Lyn, who paid tribute to her illustrious and varied career.

The College’s Patron HRH The Prince of Wales sent a specially filmed St David’s Day message to Catherine and all of the guests.

“Tonight was an incredible night not only because I spent St David’s Day with the Royal Welsh College, but also receiving my Honorary Fellowship from our national conservatoire of Wales was very meaningful to me,” said Catherine.

“I’m proud to support the College in raising funds for the most talented young artists/performers from both my home in Wales and my adopted country of the United States.

The funds raised will enable students to pursue their passion for the arts no matter what their circumstances. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented young artists.“

The evening, which was supported by Welsh Government, included a special selection of music and drama performances, showcasing the training of the College’s young artists, and celebrating Welsh and American culture, with particular tributes to Catherine.

“We’re delighted to be joined by Catherine, her family, and so many wonderful guests this evening, connecting the College to the arts in America. We are extremely grateful to Catherine for the exceptional support she has given the College, which enables us to create a significant new scholarship in her name,” said Helena Gaunt, Principal of the College. “We look forward to building on these relationships in the coming months.

Wales is a nation that punches beyond its weight in so many ways, and our College is a place where the future of music, theatre and all the creative industries is being shaped.

We value the role the arts have to play in a diverse and inclusive society, and the power which can come from being a participant, audience member or collaborator.

This evening of celebration has been an opportunity for us to create an international exchange, bringing together our two cultures, Wales and the US, in mutual support of the arts and training the most talented young artists.“

Welsh Government Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, said: “Last night was a true showcase of Welsh talent – an inspirational evening celebrating Welsh and American culture and an excellent way for us to celebrate St David’s Day with our friends in the United States.

As a Welsh Government we are embarking on a new international strategy, a vision for our future co-operation with key markets to drive forward Wales’ place in the world. Partnerships such as this are vitally important as we build on the strong international links that have been developed over past decades – which help to enrich the country economically, socially and culturally.”

In 2018 The Royal Welsh College was named Guardian University Guide top Drama School in the UK for the fourth time since 2013.

Featured Image: Graduates, actor Jacob Ifan, opera singer Chanae Curtis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, actor Betty Jane Walsh and Musical Theatre graduate Luke McCall. Credit: Travis Magee

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Editors notes
Catherine Zeta-Jones is a multi-award winning actress whose talents range from film to theater. She garnered an Academy Award for her portrayal of the scandalous Velma Kelly, in the screen adaptation of the Broadway musical “Chicago.” Catherine was also nominated for a Golden Globe and took home the Critics’ Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

She won the Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Musical for her critically acclaimed Broadway debut as Desirée Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music.”

Catherine is currently starring in the Facebook Watch series “Queen America,” a dark comedy, centered around the troubled and ruthless beauty pageant coach Vicki Ellis.

Her other starring roles include, Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s 12,” “Side Effects,” and Steven Spielberg’s “The Terminal,” opposite Tom Hanks. Catherine also starred with George Clooney in the Coen Brothers’ dark comedy “Intolerable Cruelty.” She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the wife of a drug-runner, in Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic.” Most recently she starred in the telefilm “Cocaine Godmother,” based on the true life story of the notorious drug lord, Griselda Blanco.

She first gained international recognition in the action adventure film “The Mask of Zorro,” opposite Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins. She then captivated audiences in “Entrapment,” opposite screen legend Sean Connery.

Born in Wales, Catherine began her career on the stage in London and following that was cast in the popular Yorkshire Television series, “The Darling Buds of May,” based on the novels of H.E. Bates.

In 2010, she was awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to the film industry and charity.

She is married to Michael Douglas. They have a son, Dylan, and a daughter, Carys.

RWCMD

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Conservatoire of Wales, and part of the University of South Wales Group, operates within its international peer group of conservatoires and specialist arts colleges.
It trains young artists drawn from around 50 countries to provide a constant flow of emerging talent into the music and theatre industries and related professions.