Celia Barker

I was brought up rurally near Geraldine, and am a qualified lawyer with a long career in private practice law.  Until 2018, I was a partner of Cavell Leitch Law, Christchurch, where I specialised in commercial property.  Also in my practice I had a strong interest in trusts, wills and estate planning. Being ‘self-deployed’ in recent years, has given me more time to assist with furthering the interests of The Canterbury Opera Foundation, and have been a Trustee for a number of years.
I have served on various charities over my career, and am currently Chair of The Champion Foundation Trust.
 

I am keen to see opera better understood, enjoyed and supported in Canterbury. I believe the foundation has played a critically important role over the years, as when our home-grown opera companies sadly failed, it has been a stabilising entity, having maintained a database of supporters; established relationships with NZ Opera and supported main stage opera performed in Canterbury.  It has supported local artists with grants, in particular for overseas study; offered several performance underwriting partnerships; and held various functions providing singing and fundraising opportunities. With its regular newsletter the foundation has stayed in contact with Canterbury opera supporters.  Considerable enthusiasm amongst a younger generation has been building globally for attending opera.  This is exciting, and increasing that enthusiasm locally is something we are working on for Christchurch and more generally Canterbury.