About me:
I am a singer who enjoys being immersed in music. When I sing I am transported into a magical place of my imagination and hopefully the audience is too. For me when I am singing the sky is the limit. I connect with memories, dreams and feelings to feel free in expressing myself and the spirit and energy of the music. The songs I like to sing all have a unique meaning and express a time and a mood which I am bringing my own style to. Music moves me, heals me, brings me joy and allows me to feel in harmony with the world. It also makes me feel like I am connecting to my own childhood at a time when I had a simple and instinctive love of all music. This is what I bring to my shows and want to share with the audience.
Growing up:
I grew up in Hertfordshire and was very aware from a young age of different music on the radio as well as hearing the records that my parents would play, from classical to country. From a very young toddler I would hear songs on the radio and then sing them to neighbours in the echoing archway between our houses or in the bath. I was always singing along to any songs I would hear , which was usually a mix of country, middle of the road and classical music.
At primary school my teachers would ask me to sing in front of the school at assembly and share my voice with the school. And at age 11 I joined the Mid Herts Youth Choir where I sang as a soprano from age 11 to 16. I performed many concerts, sometimes as a soloist, the most memorable concert being at the Royal Albert Hall when I was 11 for a concert in front of Princess Alexandra.
After 16 I became more interested in pop music and took a break away from classical and choir singing as I concentrated more on exams and building my career and moving to London.
Some years later I returned to classical training where I took lessons from a private tutor and took part in some small shows. My voice was classified as a Coluratura Soprano and I worked on some great pieces with my teacher such as 'O Mio Babbino Caro' and The Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute. I learned to train and strengthen my voice during this time which has served me well in the music I now like to perform. All styles of singing require a discipline and strengthening of the voice, strengthening the head voice for the high notes, breath control and diaphragmatic support as well as strengthening of the passagio.
A few years later, I decided to invest in some PA equipment and return to more accessible music such as pop and soul music so that I could go out and perform the songs that people love in pubs and clubs around North London. So began the process of building what is now a large repertoire of covers. I discovered I could embrace a diverse range of middle of the road, soul and dance and disco as well as the more unusual style of artists such as Kate Bush whose style suits my high range. I have been able to develop my voice to sing many different genres. I am learning new songs all the time so my song list is always getting longer...
I suppose I have been finding a way of making my style of singing accessible to a wide audience while still incorporating elements of the classical style in order to be true to my own voice type.
My style:
I have a versatile voice which I love to use to sing many different music genres. Group participation is encouraged in many shows with singalongs and words to songs on stage allowing all to join in.
My favourite songs are from the great female singers, songwriters and divas of the 20th and 21st century and this is what inspired the theme of my shows - Music of the Divas.
The artists I especially love are Carly Simon, Chrissie Hynde, Kate Bush, Carole King, Debbie Harry, Karen Carpenter, Petula Clark, Amy Winehouse, Diana Ross, Mama Cass and Helen Shapiro amongst others. Many of these women wrote their own music too. They are able to capture and express their thoughts and feelings so beautifully through telling a story in a song in a way that is timeless and still resonates today. These songs have stood the test of time and will continue to do so into the future. And what I love about the 60's and 70's was that the music feels simpler and more honest. I like to be true to the original song and bring my own style and voice to the song making it subtly different.
I am also learning to play the guitar so that I can write and perform my own songs in the future. This will enable me to write songs that are unique, self expressive and suit my particular range.
What I offer:
I offer a memorable, fun and enjoyable evening of great music, laughing, dancing and singing along. Suitable for all the family.
I welcome bookings or enquiries for all parties and celebrations, weddings, daytime or evening events, birthday parties, anniversaries, and any other special events where you may want to offer some music and entertainment for your guests. Please let me know if you have any favourite artist that you would like me to feature or if you have any specific song requests. As I sing a wide range of covers from the 60's to date, I can tailor my set to your special requirements and do my best to accommodate your favourite songs or artists on request.
I often perform together with my partner John Diamond who is a fantastic Elvis Tribute Act and guitarist. Please see below for more details.
Show details and areas covered:
A standard show is 2 x 1 hour sets, with one hour each of John and myself. I can also take bookings for myself for the whole show of 2 x 1 hour sets, and can also be booked for shorter periods if required, from 30 or 45 minutes upwards. John can also be booked separately if you just want an Elvis show.
I am based in Somerset and available for your event in Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Please go to the contact page to get in touch with me and enquire about availability for your event.
Featuring John Diamond and his Tribute to Elvis:
I perform mostly together with my partner John who is an amazing Elvis tribute act . He sings all the Elvis greats from the 1950's early era to the Las Vegas years. He also sings some amazing covers of some of the greatest songs from Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond and Eddie Cochran as well as, on the guitar, Bert Jansch, Eddie Cochran and Elvis. We also perform some great duets together from Johnny Cash and June Carter, UB40 and Chrissie Hynde, Nancy and Frank Sinatra and Billy Preston and Syreeta.
John offers a fantastic and fun show for all and together we offer a great all round entertaining, fun experience that you will love!
