Kieran Rayner, a London-based New Zealand baritone graduated in 2016 after completing his Masters in Voice with Russell Smyth at the Royal College of Music. He subsequently received two prestigious scholarships offered by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation - following auditions at the Royal College of Music Kieran was nominated and subsequently received the 2016-17 Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarship presented by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation (UK) which is awarded to a singer in his/her final year of study at the Royal College of Music. The £10,000 award allowed him to accept a place at the RCM International Opera School. Subsequently Kieran also received the 2016-17 Victoria League Scholarship in Singing which carried 12-months accommodation at the Victoria League’s London base.

In 2017 Kieran was also awarded a UK Foundation Encouragement Grant which enabled him to attend external auditions, additional coachings and prepare to begin his career when he leaves the Royal College later this year (2018).