Zephyr Wills: ‘This music scholarship changed my life’
Growing up off the grid, Zephyr Wills never imagined his musical journey would lead to the bright lights of one of the world’s greatest concert halls, Wigmore Hall. A gifted young classical musician, Zephyr’s path took a transformative turn when he was awarded the Jack McGill Music Scholarship. The $8,000 grant helped fund his studies at the Royal College of Music in London, laying the founding for an international career as a singer and violist.
“Without this scholarship I would not have been able to pay the fees, and I would not be here in London. The Jack McGill Music Scholarship has changed my life,” he says.
A musical legacy
Zephyr grew up in a musical whānau, based in the Reikorangi Valley, near Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, the son of well-known Blues musician Shayn Wills.
“My earliest musical memory was probably crawling towards my Dad’s guitar at the age of three or four and getting bawled at to, ‘Stay away from the blues if you want to have a reliable career in music! Learn the viola instead!’
Zephyr explains the family moved into an old caravan in an off-grid property when he was seven years old. Before that, they lived in a house bus, travelling up and down New Zealand as Shayn was a travelling blues musician.
“Dad could easily stake a claim to being one of New Zealand’s finest bluesmen. He’s too humble for his own good in that sense. He remains one of my greatest musical inspirations that’s for sure,” he says.
“I’ve always found music to uniquely channel and enhance emotion.”
The Jack McGill Music Scholarship Zephyr was awarded was established from a bequest left in a will. Jack McGill, who died in 1974, wanted to help fund advanced music study overseas. The scholarship is administered by Public Trust and Creative New Zealand.
Grants and scholarships are more than financial contributions – they create intergenerational impact.
This Wills Week (14-20 July), consider leaving a gift in your will to help build stronger communities for generations to come. Your will can shape a better future, like Jack’s did for Zephyr.
“Jack’s generosity has established a lasting legacy that touches all levels of musical consciousness both in New Zealand, and abroad,” Zephyr says.
“Jack has made possible the dreams and careers of hundreds of New Zealand musicians.”
Elation at news of the grant
The 25-year-old explains he was “elated” when he found out he had received the grant so he could attend the Royal College of Music.
“It’s not every day a dream comes true.”
Tuition and visa fees, living expenses and unfavourable exchange rates all add up.
“The Jack McGill Music scholarship was a way for me to meet these costs. Everything I have achieved so far has been made financially possible thanks to the public scholarships New Zealand offers,” Zephyr says.
Representing Māori on the world stage
Zephyr, nō Waikato-Tainui ia (of Waikato-Tainui descent), would love to see more Māori representation in classical music.
“Porirua’s Virtuoso Strings, for example, has tremendous value for the local community, and is responsible for sending many talented Māori string players to the New Zealand School of Music.”
While Zephyr says he feels his grammar isn’t “refined enough” to write lyrics in te reo Māori, he says it’s a “tremendous inspiration” to keep learning the language.
“People always respond with incredible enthusiasm upon hearing Māori songs overseas. I often include a Māori song or two in my sets in the US, and increasingly do so in the UK. I look forward to writing my own.”
What musicians have brought classical music to life for him?
Zephyr explains: “In 2019, I saw [French-American cellist] Yo-Yo Ma perform the Bach Cello Suites in Christchurch. As an encore, he brought out [New Zealand singer] Marlon Williams, and they performed Marlon’s song Arahura. This was my first experience of such a striking combination of the folk and classical genres, and the overwhelming effect this had on the audience.”
Zephyr says this concert inspired him to organise his own concerts and recitals that include similar cross-genre and cultural collaborations.
During his last visit to New Zealand, Zephyr took part in 15 performances around the country.
“I love coming back and sharing everything I have learned and experienced. The opportunity to represent Māori culture and musicianship overseas has been a great honour. I hope to continue having the opportunities to represent the kaupapa abroad.”