Let’s Get to Know Natalie Rushdie By Natasha Barbieri

There will always be a market for beautiful music, sung well and this is one of the greatest appeals of the crossover genre. Natalie Rushdie (formerly known under her maiden name Coyle) was born in Falkirk, Scotland. Her pure voice, polished (but very personable) stage and social media presence is warmly received by fans around the world. A diligent student, Natalie graduated with a degree from Sheffield University and continued to study voice. She won a place with the Royal Choral Society and pursued a performance course from Associate Studios.

“I have had many different teachers The experiences did not deter her in the over the years due to moving schools least, in fact, Natalie dreams to someday and going to university,” Natalie tells perform with Il Divo, Celine Dion, Idina us. “I started having lessons when I was Menzel “and if Julie Andrews toured 9 and I still have regular lessons now. It again that would be the dream!” is so important for a singer to have lessons as we don’t actually hear our Speaking of super fans, Natalie is in her voices directly. Sound comes out of our own words “obsessed” with Julie mouth then goes into our ear (as Andrews. “I love her voice, the clarity opposed to an audience member who with which she sings is truly beautiful. I just hears the sound directly). These would love to play all her roles to be days I have two teachers who work honest but my favorite was in The Sound together and who are both wonderful. of Music, that was the first musical I ever watched and it got me into singing. “As with many things in life, it is I even went to Salzburg & stayed in the important that your teacher suits you hotel where The Sound of Music was personally and professionally, all of my filmed - I would love to be Maria!” teachers have become my friends.” Natalie has been nicknamed ‘The Voice Natalie has performed in Don Giovanni of Wembley’ after being the first singer and Carmina Burana at the Royal Albert to sing there 5 times and she says Hall and she has also performed in candidly that “I do still get nervous.” concerts alongside crossover favorites With an estimated audience of 80,000 like Susan Boyle, Il Divo, Andrea people though who could blame her? Bocelli, and Katherine Jenkins. One of “This time it was probably more nervous her first touring experiences was with excitement than fear but either way I the band Blake. don’t think having nerves is a bad thing as it shows you still care. I don’t think I “I absolutely loved touring with Blake, could ever not get excited about singing the boys were wonderful and such at Wembley Stadium!” gentlemen! I learned so much from each of them as they are such seasoned The whole experience is “always an performers; they helped me find my own honor” but this last time Natalie’s style and presence on stage.” Natalie favorite moment came “on the last note also experienced the group’s super fans of ‘God Save the Queen’ as the crowds up-close. “One of the funniest concerts started cheering so loudly and I could was in Blythe where the audience went hear my voice echoing around the crazy for Blake! At one point I thought stadium… it was just the most incredible they were going to jump on stage and rip & exhilarating experience.” the boys’ clothes off! We also did Wembley Stadium together where my Natalie has also made an impact by shoes split open as it was raining, so I giving back to various charities. “I think walked on the pitch with my toes it’s important to be involved with popping out!” charities that you have a personal connection to. Through the Order of blew me away. I would love to go back; Malta Volunteers, I took disabled people they have such fantastic venues and by to the South of France for my Duke of coincidence, while there, I got to see my Edinburgh Award Scheme residential wonderful tenor friend Jesus Leon who week. I enjoyed it so much that I went a was performing at the Philharmonia.” If further 3 times, it was also the first time she had to pick a favorite place though it I saw the effect music can have when would be New York. “I’m very fortunate people had life-changing illnesses.” that I get to go fairly often and it always These days Natalie is most involved makes me super excited and happy. I just with Breath AHR a charity who “use can’t get enough of the fast pace and music in hospitals to help people vibe of New Yorkers. An ultimate dream recover, relieve stress, Dementia would be to perform in New York… alymexia etc. I am the Patron of the maybe at Radio City Music Hall or charity and regularly perform for them.” Madison Square Garden one day.”

In 2016, Natalie married Zafar Rushdie Her mother recently booked Natalie a 6- in an elegant wedding weekend in New week cookery course at Leith’s School York. She would “definitely” of Cooking as a birthday gift. So is recommend destination weddings to cooking among Natalie’s favorite other brides. “We spread the wedding things? “I was actually terrible at festivities over 3 days, which made it feel cooking but I do enjoy it and I’d like to like a big happy holiday surrounded by think I am slowly improving.” people we love and care about. I am very lucky that I married someone who She describes herself as a “simple girl” is super organized, unlike me (I would who enjoys spending time with family forget my head if it wasn’t attached) so and her dog ‘Pickle’. that helped a lot.” In a recent interview with Hello! Magazine Natalie shared At the end of the day, Natalie remains how her father-in-law (novelist Salaman humble saying, “I feel like I am still Rushdie) was also a big help with her discovering my voice! In July I am preparations. making my debut at Live at Zedel and will be singing some of the great Diva After her marriage, Natalie changed her songs… not necessarily my more typical stage name which she describes as classical sound but I can’t wait. For me, “exciting and daunting at the same as a musician, the key is remaining true time.” to myself, sing songs I love and it’s as simple as that.” When she isn’t singing Natalie loves to travel. She recently shared photos from a Fans will be delighted to hear that the trip to Russia. “I love traveling and future will bring “more performances, Russia was incredible! It was a life-long more exciting music and yes, of course, dream to go there and I certainly wasn’t an album is in the future.” disappointed - the buildings and culture

To follow Natalie’s adventures, visit her website on: natalierushdie.com

Everything old is new again By Chantelle Constable

Ashley Marie Slater and Luperci de period. This era represents an incredible Souza, founding members of classical period of music making in American crossover duo "Classique," may be history as well and contains so much shiny, chic, and modern, but their fantastic music. passion for the scintillating music of Hollywood from the 1920s to the 1950s I see in a recent Spotify playlist you proves that "everything old is new shared that there is a distinct again." Hollywood influence -- is this a clue to what songs we can expect in your Their first single, "Be My Love," was a upcoming album? breakout crossover hit for the great tenor Mario Lanza, while their second single, Yes! Both of our singles, “By My "Amado Mio," first enchanted audiences Love,” and “Amado Mio” are from as it was lip-synced by Rita Hayworth in Hollywood films of the 1940s and "Gilda." 1950s. Just as they do today, the studios had wonderful composers writing music In this interview, Classique takes us for the silver screen, and since singing through some of their early influences, actors were quite popular, there was and the reasons they are drawn to movie more of an emphasis on songwriting. music of the past: the source of classical We’ve given many of these songs our crossover as we know it today. own spin, as they may or may not have been written for a classical voice. For In the vast genre amalgam that is example, one of Ashley’s favorite films classical crossover, what drew you to is the 1946 film noir “Gilda” starring the songs of early "movie musical" Rita Hayworth. In one of Gilda’s most and operetta? famous scenes, she sings “Amado Mio” in a sultry nightclub. Inspired by Buenos We wanted to remain true to our Aires where the film takes place, our classical training and the songs we’ve duet version is a fiery tango with piano, chosen really allow us to do so. We solo cello and string quartet. All of the really love the beautiful classical voices songs on our album were written for or of the movie musical era, in particular, featured in Hollywood films from this Mario Lanza, and we’ve received a great era. audience response from songs of this

Who are some of your favorite Mario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson, etc, classical and crossover voices in the etc, vs modern crossover artists? industry, past or present? What lessons could each learn from the other? How has the genre Ashley: One of the first female voices progressed, and what elements of the that I fell in love with and was greatly past should be (in your opinion) influenced by was that of Kathryn maintained? Grayson. I was amazed at her versatility, easily going from songs to musical We are quite partial to these retro artists theatre to opera, and how clearly she as they were some of the first singers to articulated while still maintaining a “crossover” into popular songs with their beautiful high soprano voice in a classically trained voices. Mario Lanza classical style. As for contemporary is one of our favorite singers and one of artists, I think Il Divo’s arrangements are our biggest inspirations as well for our amazing and they choose great songs. debut CD. He had a #1 hit on the pop Billboard charts in 1950 with “Be My Luperci: Luciano Pavarotti is one of my Love,” which is an unbelievable greatest inspirations, and the concerts he achievement for a classical singer! His did with the Three Tenors are favorites films certainly helped him get the kind of mine. Also, Andrea Bocelli, Josh of exposure that led to his popularity in Groban, and more recently Il Volo do the United States and abroad for the next some great work. decade and still today. We think contemporary artists could learn and be Are you partial to any composers? inspired by his high standard of vocal Anyone whose songs you love singing excellence and versatility. His voice was in particular? For example, your style rich, dark and full, and yet at the same seems suited to Rogers & time, light and full of youth. He was Hammerstein. praised by fellow opera singers for his phenomenal technique and received We certainly love Rogers & “carte blanche” from some of the Hammerstein and have sung many duets world’s most prestigious opera and songs from their repertoire in our companies who would spare no expense shows. We really enjoy doing songs to have him sing in a production of his from the classic American musicals, but choosing at their theaters while at the absolutely love songs by Nicholas same time appealed to a much broader Brodzsky, Jerome Kern, Sammy Cahn, audience by singing popular songs and and Jule Styne, many of which were film music. There are very few artists in included in Hollywood films! We also history who have been able to replicate have a soft spot for Andrew Lloyd his success. Webber and do his music whenever we can. One really exciting aspect about classical crossover is that it has certainly What are your thoughts on retro progressed to include more genres. You classical crossover: Deanna Durbin, can hear artists, not just singers but classically trained musicians as well, two of us we’ve lived in seven different crossing over not only just into pop, but countries and speak six different into rock, electronic, folk, symphonic languages, and so much of who we are metal, etc. As a result, the classical as individuals and artists comes from our crossover genre has become more lives and studies abroad. For example, widespread and includes a lot more Luperci studied and launched his career styles of music and when it is done well, as a tenor in Scotland, but traveled the it really works. This is a very exciting world extensively as a child in a development and you can be sure that renowned Brazilian boys’ choir. Ashley there is something for everyone. For spent years in Italy, performing and example, besides our love for the retro studying the Italian bel canto singing artists, we are big fans of 2Cellos and technique after completing a Bachelor’s their arrangements of Michael Jackson, degree in New York. As performers, Sting and Led Zeppelin! we’ve been lucky to travel the world singing for hundreds of people each How do you think the vintage classical week on cruise ships, and we bring all of crossover artists would have fared in these experiences to our concerts. Our the "internet age”? knowledge of the world and languages helps us relate to various audiences and We think quality music and voices can it certainly affects the music we choose. cross the boundaries of time. After This next step in our career as a duo is Mario Lanza came many successful only possible thanks to our mutual love tenors including ones we’ve mentioned of travel, living abroad and the musical before such as Pavarotti and Bocelli. culture we have obtained in doing so. People love this music! And they love the excitement that a classical voice can What is each of yours' history in bring, therefore we think Mario Lanza performance? Classical training? would have been a big hit today as well. Theatre? Opera? Of course, his career would be taken a different shape. The vintage classical Ashley: I’m trained in opera and crossover artists were limited to films, classical voice, but have had the chance radio and tv shows for exposure, to perform a lot of classical musical whereas nowadays, thanks to the internet theater as well. Another genre which I you can choose the audience for your particularly love is classical Art Song music with the click of a button. Perhaps (compositions written for voice and he would have been able to sell even piano, for example Schubert, Schumann, more records had he lived in our time. Debussy, Fauré etc). After finishing my bachelor’s degree in the States, I It seems that you both have a passion followed an urge I’d had for some time for travel? How has that directed and and moved to Italy: the country of my influenced your career? ancestors. Over the years I spent there, I debuted in operas and was invited to do Travel has certainly been a big influence many Art Song concerts and even a on our lives and careers. Between the commercial recording of the complete vocal chamber music of 19th-century discovery to me as it helped me realize Italian composer Gaspare Spontini. In the potential of the human voice (and Italy, I also had the pleasure to sing a she was an R&B singer, not classical!). concert with a wonderful classical Then, as a child, I came across a CD of crossover artist that you may be familiar Mozart arias, and I was hooked. That with - Frà Alessandro. Some of my was a deciding moment for me and his opera credits include roles such as Rita music has always been #1 for me. So, (Rita), Adina (L’elisir d’amore) and thank you, Herr Mozart! Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro). Luperci: Well, I had a great introduction Luperci: As a child, I’ve had ten years of to classical music singing in the boys’ training in the oldest boys’ choir in choir. We regularly sang Bach, Brazil which was an amazing Palestrina, masses and other choral experience; we even sang for Pope John works and this experience instilled a Paul II in Rome. As a member of this great love of music in me. But in terms choir, I had a very rigorous but effective of opera, when I was about 15 I saw musical education which has served me “The Great Caruso” starring Mario well throughout the rest of my musical Lanza and I was so moved by his career. After finishing the choir and performance that I started thinking about attending a university in Brazil and my own voice “operatically,” and the Argentina, I sang at the opera house in rest is history. Rio de Janeiro, as well as on Brazil’s main TV channel Globo. I sang many How do you define success? What was gala concerts for prestigious political a defining moment in your career events and corporations in Brazil until I when you thought "I've made it"; was offered the chance to study in what characteristics do you think an Europe. After finishing my master’s artist needs to develop to succeed? degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland supported by an ABRSM Having opportunities to do the music international scholarship, I sang at you love and choosing or creating your several concert halls and theaters in own music is a great milestone for any Europe in roles such as Nemorino artist. Some important characteristics are (L’elisir d’amore), Tito (La clemenza di perseverance, humility, attention to Tito), and Tamino (Die Zauberflöte). detail, being a good colleague, staying true to yourself while at the same time being open to change and a bit of luck! Who were your musical influences as children; who first drew you into What are your priorities in choosing a singing? song for your repertoire?

Ashley: My dad had a Minnie Riperton It has to draw us in and say something vinyl. I just couldn’t get enough of her special to us. It has to move us, voice and her whistle register in the song otherwise, it’s probably not the best “Loving You.” Her voice was a great choice. We also look for songs that allow us to remain true to our classical Tell us the story of how you met and roots. And we love to discover musical formed a duo. gems that are off the beaten path. Our CD contains one or two of those that we Well, with Luperci being from Brazil hope you’ll enjoy! and Ashley from the US, it’s kind of funny that we met nowhere near our Please give us a few hints about your home countries, but in London during upcoming album! Are you working rehearsals for a contract on a cruise ship. with any particular arranger(s) or Each ship had a classical tenor and producer(s)? soprano and we were paired up on the same ship. It was the first time either of Our debut album will be released later us had ever worked in the cruise industry this year and will feature new so we experienced it together and started arrangements of songs and duets from right away developing and doing our the great Hollywood films and the own show as a duo. Our repertoire musical era of Mario Lanza. As we consisted mainly of opera, operetta, mentioned, our first single “Be My musical theater, and some popular Love” was one of Lanza’s greatest hits classical crossover hits. We immediately and inspired us to breathe new life into recognized a synergy onstage and felt some of the outstanding music of this that the blend of our voices and the time period. The songs themselves come interaction of our personalities combined from a period ranging from the 1920s to with the positive response from the 1950s. We’re so excited for this audiences, made officially forming a duo project as we feel that the music from a natural progression. From there, we this era deserves to be heard and loved really wanted to create something of our once more by today’s listeners; the own and started thinking about music that we’ve chosen for our debut producing our first album. Thanks to the album contains some beloved classics as help of many generous friends, we’re well as a few surprises that we hope about to realize that dream. you’ll be excited to get reacquainted with, or will be hearing for the first time You mention the name Mario Lanza with our new interpretation. frequently; what drew you to him specifically? We are working with an incredibly talented arranger from Edmonton Definitely the film “The Great Caruso” Canada, Ben Christenson. We met him was a deciding influence for us and we through a mutual friend in the music recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen industry, and we knew he was a great fit it yet. Mario Lanza’s interpretation of for this project. He really understood the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso is from the beginning what we were very moving and his glorious voice can hoping to achieve and we look forward be heard singing both opera arias and to more collaborations in the future. popular songs. Besides his incredible voice, his charisma onscreen is infectious and you just can’t help loving Why choose duo over solo? him. There was no doubt in our minds that How do you bring something new to a Classique had to be a duo. With each genre whose primary focus is to song, we try to highlight both of our regenerate the familiar? voices working together, often in harmony or playing off each other in a That is a great question and one that all way which will excite the listener and artists have to ask themselves. As opera allow them to have a powerful and singers, we are used to performing music moving experience. We realized the that is centuries old and has been done potential that we could have together over and over, but we are taught from when we started performing as a duo on the beginning to do “our” version and to cruise ships. There was a great audience be ourselves. With years of this kind of reaction when we sang certain songs and preparation, we always approach songs interacted together on stage, and that searching for our own musical truth and inspired us to form Classique. It also experimenting with the possibilities. helps that we have a similar vision and These aspects, infused with our personal coinciding musical tastes. aesthetics and life experiences, are what guide us. Just for fun, do you have a favorite classic Hollywood musical film? One In the case of our upcoming CD, we felt that you like to watch, aside from that this music hasn’t been done enough performing? recently and that it deserves to be heard even more. In the right hands, cover West Side Story immediately comes to versions of well-known songs can be mind as a personal favorite, to watch and just as exciting as new compositions, so to perform. It has had a huge impact on we hope to make our mark by helping pop culture as well. How many parodies some of these songs become more of the Jets and Sharks snapping their mainstream again. fingers as they move down the street have we seen in commercials, Favorite songs? Dream opera/operetta advertisements, and videos? Too many roles? to count! It was a powerful film and its message is still important for our society Luperci: “Cinema Paradiso,” by Ennio today. Morricone, Prince Franz from Romberg’s The Student Prince, Who is your ideal audience? The older Nemorino from L’elisir d’amore. generation that is already familiar with these retro songs, or the younger Ashley: “Tracks of My Tears” (Linda generation, to introduce them to Ronstadt version), “As If We Never Said classical crossover and classical music Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard, in general? “Eternally” by Charlie Chaplin, Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute Ideally, we’d like to reach a widely people, are open to and looking for new varied audience. Of course, we hope the music. older generation who might be more familiar with these songs will hear our Any other info you would like to versions and reminisce about the first share? time they heard them. Perhaps their families used to listen to Mario Lanza We’d like to thank Classical Crossover records and our music will transport Magazine for featuring us and we invite them back and connect them to those everyone to connect with us through our moments. Likewise, we would like to social channels, we’d love to hear from introduce this music to a younger you! We are currently living in Germany generation who might not be so familiar and recording our CD here which will be with it. Just with our first single “Be My coming out in late summer 2017. Music Love,” we’ve had a great response from is a force which unites people and can social media from followers of other bring light into our lives. We are so classical crossover artists such as Andrea lucky and proud to dedicate our lives to Bocelli or Katherine Jenkins, so we it! know that people, especially young

Don’t miss a note! Follow Classique at classique.biz

Hollywood Soprano BY Jennie Watters

The teenager sailed over the hard-packed she was also the primary breadwinner of snowy hillside without a care in the the family and already an Oscar- world. She squinted her clear blue eyes nominated actress. When Ann was while her dark hair whipped behind her small, Mrs. Blyth made a living as a in the wind. Suddenly, an icy mound washerwoman. Her husband had jutted out in front of the toboggan. abandoned his family, so it was up to Before she realized what was happening, Nan Lynch Blyth to provide for Ann and she was hurtling through the air, landing her sister. They did not have much, but with a sickening thud on her back. the girls always had enough to eat and Stunned and unable to move, Ann did clothes to wear. Ann admired her Irish not scream from the pain. Instead, she immigrant mother, fondly remembering: whispered a prayer as the tears sprang to “Mother worked very hard and her tiny her eyes. body wasn’t nearly as big as her heart.” Education was a priority for Mrs. Blyth, Once she was transported from the San she made sure her daughters attended Bernardino Mountains to the hospital, good schools and even signed them up she noticed how concerned the doctors for voice lessons and drama. looked as they ran their tests. Her injury was a serious one. Her mother held her From an early age, Ann was part of the hand as they told Ann that her back was children’s chorus, singing with the New broken. She might never be able to walk YorkSan Carlo Opera Company. Being again. “At first, I couldn’t look at my surrounded by the glorious music of mother. When at last I raised my head, I Puccini and Bizet led to a lifelong love was startled. Those warm, hazel eyes of opera. She also got minor roles in under her crown of auburn hair were plays and had her first radio appearance actually smiling. ‘Have faith, my when she was only six years old. Despite darling,’ she said. ‘You’ll walk.’” these positive experiences, Ann occasionally felt the sting of rejection At sixteen, Ann Blyth was not only her when she wasn't chosen for a part after mother’s beloved youngest daughter, but an audition. Her mother never seemed disappointed. “Just have faith, my darling,” she would say as they walked At first, the studio cast her in lightweight home in the fading light. “Something musicals, usually with comedian and better will come.” Her mother’s attitude dancer Donald O’Connor as her High gave her confidence, and she continued School sweetheart. But in 1945, she to do the things she loved free of the landed a big, dramatic role, in a movie pressure to win every time. co-starring Hollywood legend, Joan Crawford. Ann blew everyone away in Even though she knew her mother was “Mildred Pierce” as Veda, Crawford’s always proud of her whether she got the ungrateful, cold-hearted, scheming part or not, Ann was beyond thrilled daughter who takes advantage of her when she was cast in the Broadway play, mother’s kindness. The fact that sweet “Watch on the Rhine” in 1941, when she Ann Blyth was able to pull off this cruel was 12. During the play’s successful character so convincingly is a testament nine-month run, Ann turned thirteen, to her ability as an actress. When asked toured across the country, performed for about how she did it, Ann humbly the president and had dinner at the White explained that her Oscar-nominated House. Henry Koster, a director for performance was due to “a good Universal Studios, attended the play one imagination.”

night. He was impressed by her After her sledding accident, Ann’s performance and after a successful promising career had to be put on hold. screen test, Ann was signed for a seven- It was hard to spend seven months flat year contract. She was going to be in the on her back in a body cast when she had movies! been so used having a hectic filming schedule. Now that she was helpless work, appearing in several more dramas, physically, she learned to trust in God and then finally a comedy. The 1948 more than ever. “I found myself blessed, movie featured William Powell, a for a new sense of prayer began to middle-aged man who falls in love with unfold to me...there were not the busy a mermaid! Ann had a golden tail times of telling Him what I needed, but custom made for her and weighted down rather, times of listening communion, of so that she wouldn’t float during her gathering strength, when my human scenes in the water. “Mr. Peabody and strength and courage seemed to ebb the Mermaid” made good use of her away.” Even after she was freed from beauty and athleticism, but for some the body cast, it took a lot of time to reason, the beguiling mermaid is mute! recover. She was in a wheelchair, then later graduated to a back-brace. Her Of course for music lovers, any time mother celebrated every step forward Ann Blyth sang onscreen was a real with her as she slowly gained back what treat. Her earlier films do little to she had lost. One month after Ann’s showcase her full, rich soprano voice. In back-brace permanently came off, “Top o’ the Morning” her co-star Bing another tragedy struck. Mrs. Blyth died Crosby got the lion’s share of the songs, of cancer. Ann was only seventeen years same for her first really big MGM old. musical with Mario Lanza, “The Great Caruso.” Of course, that movie IS about Ann’s mother had been her role-model, the famous opera singer Enrico Caruso, her best friend, her mentor. Now she was but Ann’s voice is so lovely, it seems a alone. In her grief, she realized that her shame that she only sings once. In 1954, mother had prepared her for this loss, Ann FINALLY got the chance to exhibit just as she had prepared Ann for so her skill as a vocalist in two big-budget many other things she would have to musicals, “Rose Marie,” and later “The face in life. Mrs. Blyth had felt alone all Student Prince,” both MGM adaptations those years ago when her husband left of operettas. A year later, she starred her and her two little girls, but she with baritone Howard Keel in “Kismet” worked hard and relied on Jesus for the which features some of my favorite rest. Ann became assured that God songs ever written: “And This is My would be with her and that her mother Beloved,” “Baubles, Bangles and was in heaven watching over her every Beads” and “Stranger in Paradise.” step of the way. It comforted her to remember that they would be truly By that time, Ann’s film career was reunited one day. coming to a close. Too many important things were happening in her personal Human comfort came in the form of life! She got married in 1953, had her Ann’s aunt and uncle, who moved all the first child in ’54, and a second one in way from Connecticut to California to ’55. Between pregnancies, she was still live with her so that their niece could continue her career as a Hollywood actress. Ann threw herself back into her acting, but she knew she wanted to stood still for her, and not only devote more time to her growing family. physically. The star’s soprano is as By 1957 she had already made thirty- lilting and steady as when she was two pictures, in a variety of genres knocking out those MGM musicals.” which included costume dramas, mysteries, musicals, time travel, She continued singing well into the westerns, film noir, comedies, and war 2000s, and still does interviews and movies. Ann decided to act in stage participates in Turner Classic Movies plays again, with occasional forays into festivals and cruises. television. In 1963 her fifth (and last) child was born. During the 1970s, Ann On my fridge, I have an autographed didn’t work much because home life photo of this beautiful lady, her name kept her busy, but she did do signed undermine in perfect script. I commercials. She became known as the have always enjoyed her movies, but “Hostess Mom” who advertised until very recently I had no idea that her Twinkies! Her children were often career was as varied as it was, or that her featured in these ads with her. faith was such a vital part of who she is. I had heard of the album, “Hail Mary In the 1980s, she made her last With Ann Blyth,” which has Ann singing television appearance, guest starring in and reciting scriptures, but ignorantly “Murder, She Wrote.” She was not done assumed it was just another project. Now with show business though! Her husband I realize what a genuine human being encouraged her to continue doing what she is, as beautiful inside as she is she loved, so she started putting on outside. She survived tragedy bravely concerts, singing classics from her and enjoyed good fortune without theatre performances and movies. In Las becoming self-centered. When asked in Vegas, she even reunited with her old a recent interview how she would like friend, Donald O’Connor. At a 1992 people to remember her in years to concert, columnist Liz Smith wrote: come, she said: “That I made them “Ann Blyth, who was a movie star when happy. That would make me very the words really meant something, looks happy.” incredible. Time seems literally to have

Carly Paoli Singing my Dreams By Natasha Barbieri

The name Carly Paoli may as yet be those early years, Puglia welcomed me unfamiliar to many fans of classical with open arms to perform in piazzas crossover music but with several high and sing for audiences throughout the profile performances already under her summer.” She describes it as an belt and the release of her debut album “amazing experience for a young eminent she is poised to become a force singer.” to be reckoned with. Although her mother may not be a singer Her image on the cover of “Singing My herself she did play a part in Carly’s Dreams” evokes Old Hollywood musical development. “My mother glamour and her story is full of nurtured my musical interest with MGM Cinderella undertones as articles laud musicals. I loved Gene Kelly and Judy her as the ‘lorry driver’s daughter’ Garland.” At nine, Carly began taking bound for stardom. The Evening singing lessons with Liz Hetherington Standard even crowned her the ‘Queen’ and incredibly she continues to study of the crossover genre. Still, Carly’s own with Ms. Hetherington to this very day. website is modest in its approach and her Her teacher even wrote lyrics for one of tagline is simply “an English rose with Carly’s songs “One Bright Star.” Carly Italian roots, singing her dreams.” continued to study and at 16 worked at the musical theatre and drama course at So how did it all begin for this Tring Park, Hertfordshire. “I had always Nottinghamshire-born singer, is the gift imagined myself performing on a West inherited from her parents? “Actually I always laugh when people ask if my End stage as I love dancing and acting parents can sing,” Carly tells us. “I so much. It was always obvious that wouldn’t wish for anyone to hear my singing was my ‘special’ talent; we had mum in the shower but Dad isn’t too a visit from a member of staff at The bad.” She does, however, believe that Royal Northern College of Music, who her passion and singing talent derives advised me to audition for their Vocal from her Italian roots. “My Grandfather, Course. So I auditioned and was offered Nonno Apollonio, who died recently, a place on the spot, but that completely came from a family of 5 brothers. Nonno changed my thoughts and dreams away had a beautiful voice and his younger from the West End.” Still, Carly looked brother worked as a singer/songwriter forward with enthusiasm. “It was a new and he still plays the piano accordion. challenge.” They would sing together at all family events with my grandfather always singing the upper harmony.” Carly spent four years at The Royal Northern College and additionally While Carly grew up in the UK she studied with Liz Hetherington on the spent her summers in Puglia. “I have weekends as well as studying dance Italy to thank for my stage experience. In “after college hours.” The more she developed it became even more apparent Carly continued to dream big and learn that hers was indeed a classical from her colleagues. One year she instrument. Upon graduation, Carly attended a concert of José Carreras as a began teaching at Directions Theatre fan and the next she was sharing the Arts. “I taught there for 2 years and stage with him. “You should never stop loved every minute. It’s amazing how dreaming because you never know what much you learn yourself all day when the future has in store,” she encourages. you’re sat demonstrating the correct “One year I’m watching one of my idols approach for others.” Along with deliver an incredible performance and teaching Carly performed “wherever I the following year I’m sharing that stage could and wherever I’d be seen.” Puglia with him and performing duets together. continued to provide a welcoming venue I smile every time I think about this.” and she also found opportunities to sing While being a singer requires years of at corporate events, weddings and dedicated work sometimes opportunities sometimes funerals. The corporate arrive when least expected. “It’s a events would eventually open the door nightmare to sing classical music at the to the next important step in her career. drop of a hat,” Carly admits. “In the same way that an athlete will always In the classical world discovery is a warm up before they compete, singers gradual emergence from minor roles and usually have to go through the same young artist programs but in a twist that process. It’s not an instrument that you would have made the MGM PR can pick up and put back in its case, it is department happy Carly was noticed by part of your body, so any illness or just a representative of the luxury brand the way you feel can affect the sound Bedat & Co which fast-tracked her produced.” Even so, Carly offers this success. “The lady who founded the sage advice. “I think all singers should brand ‘Madame Simone Bédat’ is have 1 or 2 songs that they can perform celebrated for achieving her dream of in an instant and feel confident. Save the creating the first watch brand designed backing music to your smartphone if you purely for women. The brand seeks to can and always have it with you. support and nurture young talented Sometimes opportunities arise and you’ll women who are breaking the glass kick yourself if you had to back out ceiling in their own field, as ‘Madame because of not being prepared.” Bédat’ did. I thank God that they considered me in that category because I As Carly’s career progressed she has began performing in international events expanded into the world of crossover. like David Foster’s Miracle Gala which She has worked with two of the biggest also featured Jennifer Hudson and names in the genre, David Foster & Steven Tyler.” Carly also sang at the Andrea Bocelli. “I have performed on ‘The Women’s Media Foundation numerous occasions with Andrea Award’ in L.A. where Bedat & Co was Bocelli, which has always been a real thrill, especially in front of an Italian the official sponsor. audience.” Their delightful performances are available to view on surrounded by the most beautiful Roman YouTube. “He’s such a pro I think no ruins? My dressing room was essentially stage could phase him and he’s usually in Caesar’s Palace and just off to the got a great sense of humor before the corner from there, they believe they have song starts and finishes. On our first discovered St Peter’s Cell.” Others meeting, he told me I looked beautiful in featured in the concert were The Tenors, red.” Carly’s admiration for David Andrea Bocelli, and Elaine Paige. “You Foster is likewise evident. “For any should have heard the sound of the singer, you know David Foster is the voices echoing in the marble dressing man that makes the magic happen. He rooms as we all started to warm up. The has such an amazing awareness of what whole process of rehearsing and the audience wants to hear from a watching that concert come together is singer, and he has a way of encouraging something I’ll never forget. It was also symbolic that all these iconic artists had singers to go beyond their comfort zone joined to perform together that night to and deliver a performance that is truly reinforce Pope Francis’s important spectacular. It’s really exciting message of Mercy. I closed the concert performing with David. I don’t have with my song ‘A Time For Mercy’, boundaries on the type of singer I would which was extremely poignant.” like to collaborate with in the future. I love to work on a project that could Carly’s repertoire is in fact often bring two different musical worlds inspirational in nature. “One thing that’s together and still be inspiring and instilled into students in performing arts engaging.” colleges is that there will be rejection. I had my fair share when I left The Royal Northern, or near misses, which can Unsurprisingly prestigious events in often be even more disappointing. But I Italy have played a part in Carly’s always went home to an amazing family. career. She performed an original setting My mum’s faith is extremely strong and of Ave Maria at Terme Di Caracalla. At she passed that onto me. You hear it so the time she was unaware that a many times, but it’s so true ‘Never give representative of Pope Francis was in up on your dreams because the dream attendance. “I was contacted some only dies when you stop believing and months later with the request to make my trying.’” To this day Carly tells us she ‘Ave Maria’ the official song for Pope still gets nervous but “I always say a Francis’ Jubilee year, ‘The Year of prayer before I walk out on stage. I Mercy’. It was such a special time for believe my faith is what has got me this my family and me and so fulfilling.” far.”

Carly also was invited to sing at The She calls music “the major influence in Forum in Rome for the first concert ever my life.” At this point in her career allowed there. “Incredible atmosphere. music has taken on a deeper meaning. What a venue. How could anyone not “My music has become more than just feel inspired standing on a platform entertainment, it can actually share an important message. That’s something I Musumarra then arranged the piece to fit would aspire to do throughout my Carly’s lyrics. career. I want my music to motivate “A similar miracle happened for me people and make them feel good. The with ‘Se Tu Fossi (Cinema Paradiso)’. world cries out for messages of hope and This was an arrangement made a few love right now. So, lyrics are years ago and I performed it at the fundamental to me and I love a song Roman Forum. It’s this live recording lyric that tells a story.” actually that features on my album. The unique arrangement of Ennio and Andrea Morricone’s iconic music Carly’s debut album “Singing My features another theme in the middle Dreams” is filled with inspirational section with English text added by music including “Music of Heaven” and myself. It’s a huge privilege to have been “The Mystery of your Gift.” It is able to add my own personal touch to available both as a traditional CD and ‘Se Tu Fossi’ and to be able to share vinyl. While the album is no doubt that with the world.” targeted at a crossover audience Carly’s soaring vocals and lush orchestral The album also features a special duet accompaniments certainly lean towards with José Carreras of ‘En Aranjuez Con the classical. Many of the original songs Tu Amor’ a song that has been a staple from the album were composed by in many of his performances over the Romano Musumarra, particularly for years. “This is the first duet version of Carly. The album also features her now the song and the first duet he’s recorded beloved versions of “Ave Maria” and in over 20 years. He’s a musical legend “A Time for Mercy.” through and through and when you get a chance to work with him, you learn he’s Carly also had a chance to become also a true gentleman. I had a wonderful involved with the writing. “I have time recording this song in his written lyrics for 4 of the songs that hometown, Barcelona.” feature on my debut album. As in every stage of her career family One of the songs ‘Memory of You’ I am involvement has been important for this particularly proud of. I wrote the lyrics project. “I’m blessed with amazing to this song soon after my Grandmother support around me, my family, (Mum died. She was a rock for the whole and Dad always travel with me) my team family, so the lyrics are influenced by and musical producer. They have always the way I felt at that time. I’m not a encouraged me to be creative and composer, so the first melody that came included my own ideas in the music, into my head was James Horner’s which is a privilege that not all artists stunning theme from the movie ‘The get. I love every minute of singing each Legends of The Fall.’ It’s a piece I’d of the songs that feature on my album as always loved and associated with I had complete freedom to choose music nostalgia.” Producer Romano I love.”

Carly was recently awarded the come her album showcase at Bafta, 145 prestigious Premio Barocco award and Piccadilly. “This is really my own will be heard in ‘La Messa Arcaica’ by personal celebration of my album composer Franco Battiata in Catania, launch, Singing My Dreams.” Sicily later this year. Other performances include a charity concert It seems clear that Carly is destined for in Assisi, Italy. “Many of Italy’s most great things. Musically she teases that, acclaimed artists from the pop world, “I’ve always had a soft spot for music will be joining me that evening to help from The Great American Songbook. raise money for a charity of The There's an idea ticking at the back of my Vatican’s choice. I’ll be performing the mind of singing some of the lost gems we Bach/Gounod ‘Ave Maria’ and closing forgot about from this golden age of the evening with my own Ave Maria, music.” which is a great honor.” Soon too will

Tocarlypaoli.com continue to follow Carly’s career visit

Careers in music Alessandra Sorace Music Ministry By Natasha Barbieri

I first learned about Alessandra Sorace the process of improving your trade. If when a friend posted a video of hers to you see it that way, it can actually be Facebook. My interest was piqued at her encouraging to see how far you’ve come. clear, lovely voice and I wanted to learn (And what bad habits you still revert to more about her. “Singing has always that need to fly ASAP.)” been a part of my life,” Alessandra Alessandra started being involved in shares after agreeing to an interview. voice competitions around the age of “My mother would play the piano and eleven. “My vocal coach would pick my then put on music both of which I would repertoire.” She admits it must have sing and dance around in circles to all been a challenging task at times because morning. Somehow I have no memories “I had quite a distaste for all things too of getting dizzy.” mushy and lovesick.” The years haven’t done little to change her opinion either. Alessandra was only eight years old “I’m still not a fan. Somehow, with so when she first began to perform on much of classical music being the international television networks. melancholy goo that a lot of people love, Alessandra remembers, “When we were she still managed to find great pieces done at the end of the day, the staff that helped me win. I’m thankful I had (probably sensing my childish curiosity) such a kind and patient coach especially showed me around the control room, at that stage of life.” explained a bit of the production process, and some of the cameramen let Alessandra’s career evolved in a me sit up on their chair. They even let different way than some of her peers. me try the camera! Needless to say, I While she performed at many was hooked.” Alessandra has continued distinguished events singing also to observe the process and says she became a chance to share her faith with enjoys working with the different crews. others and hers quickly became a music “I have a high respect for the amount of ministry. time put into a production and the meticulous people behind it. I suppose it “I suppose there are two ways of helped to have that background view for viewing an audience. One, where you when I co-directed one of our larger- are honored that they actually like you scale music videos when I was 16.” enough to come to your concerts, love you, and support you, and another Alessandra is reminded of these early where you are honored to serve such an performances often. “I think most audience with your gift, love them, and singers cringe when they have to hear support them by providing music that their “greener” selves,” but she has will uplift them in their times of learned to embrace it. “I’ll frequently need. We are all on a journey and have get messages from some of my audience bumps on the road. Music is a practical with a clip of a video they took of a way to share my faith with my audience rerun they were watching on TV. It’s especially through songs that encourage sweet. I’ve come to accept it as part of the conviction held near and dear to many hearts - that no matter where the The song choices were made carefully to road of life may take us, we have be meaningful to her listeners. Someone who knows the big picture, yet “Imagining scenarios where the piece is concerned with the little details of our would fit in someone’s life, I would lives; only wants what is best for us, yet ‘watch’ the story in my head as I allows life’s tests to make us stronger recorded. Except for the Portuguese and bring us closer to Him, our Creator album. In that one, I was just trying to who’s love will never leave us. Whether get it right.” it’s religious or secular music, I think it Alessandra’s multi-lingual approach has just might be the best tool to opened opportunities for her to perform communicate in a lasting way. Along in different countries. She shares this with the receptive ears of our audiences, exciting news, “We have several tours in we have a responsibility. Robert the early works largely based on volume Schumann put it well when he said, ‘To requests from our audience. Among send light into the darkness of men's them are Australia, South America, hearts - such is the duty of the artist.’” Europe, and the Philippines.”

Her largest single performing audience Alessandra’s first album “Oh Love That to date has been a daunting 70,000 Will Not Let Me Go” was a collection of people! But far from relaxing before the twelve hymns and sacred songs. She big event, she spent the day “running later released the same collection in around the Alamo dome with someone Spanish and then Portuguese. “I speak looking for a pair of Spanish and, although I haven’t really in-ear monitors. I had experienced a learned my father’s Italian nor my tremendous amount of echo when I sang mother’s French other than for classical there a couple months before, and I did singing, the Latin-based languages not want that to happen again. We coupled with great coaches really helped finally got some about an hour before. I me to sing in Portuguese both for TV had only learned they existed that when I was younger, and later for one of morning so it would be my first time ever my albums. For my album, I frequently singing with IEMs. But I knew my piece spent 16 hours a day and weekends for very well.” There wasn’t time for a three weeks learning the pieces and their sound check so Alessandra prayed and pronunciations. My main coach would sang anyway. Fortunately, it turned out sit in every studio session, several of fine in the end. which ended at 1:30 or 2 am. She would work with my producer and me patiently, For Alessandra discovering the classical making sure I had gotten the little crossover music was a Godsend. “I pronunciation nuances right. I was didn’t know it was a thing until around inspired by her quiet dedication and four years ago. I always felt like a misfit vision for more faith-based music in her singer who liked just enough pop to not people’s language. To make it more be classical, and just enough classical to incredible, her time was volunteered.” not be pop. It’s the best genre for

people who don’t like labels and freely, and secure the blessings of liberty boxes. It’s pretty versatile.” Her for ourselves and our families.” favorites from the genre are now “too Alessandra is also sharing her music many to count” but include Andrea through music videos. “We actually Bocelli, Josh Groban, Celtic Woman and filmed several of them at the same time, Michael Ball as well as “YouTube artists depending on the state. I loved co- that are doing a fabulous job in our directing one of them with Eduardo genre.” Gonzalez from Scene Alive Inc. Drawing the storyboards, securing and scheduling locations and Alessandra has most recently released coordinating dozens of extras at a time singles of “The Star-Spangled Banner" with Eddie, riding a chainless vintage and "What is America to me.” “What do bike downhill on camera through a you think of when you think of your heavy transit road, borrowing an country?” Alessandra asks. “Do you immaculate 1952 Ford truck, briefing, think of the cultural foods and sights, and debriefing meetings at 11:45 pm your friends and neighbors, and the and 6 am; I wouldn’t take those months warm feeling of coming home? I do. I back for anything. We met the nicest chose these songs because they remind people on our filming trips. From our us of what our nations really mean to great extras to our generous sponsors, us. It’s not the geography or the systems there was a sense of unity. The county with their many imperfections, but the of Orange, Virginia just opened their people around us that make the country doors to us. Hotels who sponsored our we love so sweet. For me, that country stays, local businesses and tourist is the USA.” attractions who volunteered their services, the marines in the New She spent time researching the story England locations, the local behind the songs. “It took such bravery, governments, and so many more were self-sacrifice, and integrity to do what instrumental in the production’s the American people, in general, did in success. It was a privilege to work with both of these eras. These traits did not such beautiful people; many of which we die with those generations though; they are still in contact with today.” are still evident in the people around us. In a world of bad news, politics, and Another aspect of her music ministry is uncertainty, I was moved to bring public speaking. “The goal for a singer attention to and appreciation for the is maximum communication, whether goodness in our daily lives.” She through the lyrics, or thoughtfully recorded an extended version of the executed melodies that stir personal national anthem which Alessandra says feelings in people. Since that’s the goal, she sings “in admiration for it is a public speaking came naturally to solemn depiction of sacrificial effort me. You can talk to your audience like which resulted in freedom under God. It you are talking to a friend - just try your enables us to praise and worship Him best to make it worth their time. Both require ample study and preparation, memorization, improv, stage presence, Some of her dreams are to perform with and love for people. I think when they New York Philharmonic, The Mormon are put together its double power.” Tabernacle Choir, at Carnegie and Disney Concert Halls among others but When it comes to goals for the future as “the list could go on forever.” well as her education Alessandra says, “Music is a lifestyle of which I am and “In regards to a major, I actually found will always be passionate. The goal is to a dream voice professor who specializes keep creating new high-quality content in both classical and commercial music that will uplift and inspire our using the Bel Canto technique at a audience. We plan to contribute more in certain University. It’s definitely a the future to philanthropic, bi-partisan possibility I am considering.” government, corporate, and community events on a larger scale, as well as For now, “We have two different major continuing to serve in the faith-based productions on the horizon that we are community.” really excited about; one of which is scheduled to be released next year.”

Alessandra’s 5 Favorite Hymns

1 Amazing Grace 2 Be Thou My Vision 3 Oh Sacred Head Now Wounded 4 Be Still My Soul 5 God Be with You ‘Till We Meet Again.

alessandrasorace.com

The Up & Comer Amy Manford By Natasha Barbieri

While crossover is our main focus it is that I wanted to pursue. So, I guess I always a privilege to feature more have my sister Chloe to thank!” classically inclined artists. One young soprano who we believe is destined for In addition to music, Amy was also great things is the lovely Amy Manford temporarily interested in filmmaking. “I from Australia. studied media in school and had a knack for editing, however, this was more of a hobby than a life calling. When push While music may be her main passion comes to shove I simply couldn’t today her parents “encouraged me to imagine a life where I did not wake up pursue a range of passions.” Amy spent every day and sing. It has always been her younger years competing in this unrelenting passion that has Rhythmic Gymnastics and pole vaulting. motivated me to pursue singing as my Despite the elite level she maintained, career path.” “All the while I managed to sing and play violin in every possible ensemble at Following her decision to pursue a school. My Dad is a self-taught guitarist career in classical music Amy prepared and my younger sister Chloe is an her audition for university. She advises extremely talented singer so music runs that “simplicity is key, pick arias or in the family. Most of our weekends were songs that are within your technical spent messing around with harmonies ability at the time you are choosing and convincing Dad to learn the chords them. You want to show potential; that to our favorite Disney songs, looking you have a knack for languages and a back I guess he had a lot of patience!” sense of drama. I would suggest Her friends also played a big part in her choosing a varied list of simple German development. “We spent countless lieder, French melody, and English song holidays contriving new productions and but above all make sure you love what throwing concerts for our parents and you are singing! Your passion will be friends. Looking back I had a very infectious and that is the most important stimulating and creative childhood. I aspect of an audition by far.” was lucky to have free reign to pursue anything and everything I loved doing.” Amy received her Bachelor’s degree from The Western Australian Academy as well a post-graduate Her violin repertoire exposed her to certificate. Her audition strategy did not classical music at the tender age of 6. change but her repertoire has certainly Singing was something she was increased in difficulty and range. “I did naturally gifted at but “I never really a lot of research in an attempt to find considered it my thing.” At age thirteen, songs that were interesting and different, however, she began attending her arias that I knew the panel wouldn’t sister’s singing lessons. “The classical have heard 10 times that day. You want training that I was introduced to really to give the impression that you are an inspired me and I knew it was something exciting innovative artist, and position yourself as one of a kind! After you have chosen your rep, it is imperative that you exams. Although I found it very boring perform, perform, perform! It is no good at the time, I developed a very good ear just singing behind your singing teacher and with the benefit of hindsight, it has a couple of times in your lesson. You helped me to pick up music very quickly. need to get a group of friends and family Basically, the training never stops!” together to test out your program, taking note of what went wrong and what went Fans will discover that Amy has crossed right in each rendition. After that, the over on occasion. She finds the largest difference between her classical singer audition should be a piece of cake!” and crossover to be amplification. “Classical crossover singers usually use Her careful research and attention to a microphone so they can afford to go detail have paid off. Throughout her off the voice a bit (my singing teacher studies, Amy has been awarded the would kill me to hear me say this, but Barbara MacLeod Scholarship for Most sometimes I like the effect it gives!) In Outstanding Female Classical Student, contrast true classical singing is the Michelle Robinson Award for most produced from your body alone with no outstanding first-year recital and the microphone. You need to think of Open Aria and Open Musical Theatre yourself as a violin, never letting the sections of the Fremantle Eisteddfod and bow leave the strings.” Radzyminski Family Prize in the International Australian Singing “If I had to pick an all-time aria, I Competition. would have to say Olympia’s Doll Song. It is so virtuosic and I love hearing what Amy shares a little about her studies. different Sopranos can do with it. I also “The curriculum at the RCM is will never get over Diana Damrau challenging and diverse and requires a singing Queen of the Night; I feel like lot of hard work outside my singing she will conquer the world with that lessons. Languages play a huge role in aria. When it comes to a Musical Opera. I study French, German and Theatre piece I would be hard pressed to Italian and am hoping to learn a bit of pick. Some days I am obsessed with Russian in the future. I spend a lot of Disney musicals and on other occasions, time working with language coaches and it’s the classics like The Sound of Music recording friends who are from different and My Fair Lady. If I had to pick one speaking countries. Movement and Musical Theatre performance song it acting classes have been extremely would be Light in the Piazza.” important in both my undergrad and postgrad training. In addition to this, I It’s equally difficult for Amy to narrow also have studied the Alexander down a favorite composer or music Technique, which is a movement method period. “I couldn’t say - it changes every that works to change bad habits in our day! Today it is Vivaldi because it is everyday activities. Growing up I also Spring in London and I listened to The studied a lot of music theory as it was a Four Seasons this morning walking to compulsory aspect of my AMEB violin college - and on the way home I listened minded people.” She again points to the to Cecilia Bartoli singing Agitata Da importance of friends as well as time Due Venti which always reminds me why management and making lists. “I think I sing!” seeing a checked off list by the end of your day is really rewarding and reminds you of what you have Audiences have already seen Amy achieved.” onstage in a few opera roles. “My first performance role in Opera was Dido in As she looks to the future Amy is careful Dido and Aeneas. It was a great first to remember those who have helped her role because Dido is a strong powerful get where she is today. “I have been woman and it encouraged me to quickly very fortunate to have had a lot of develop into a mature, confident positive and influential figures in my life. performer.” Her favorite so far has been My family has always provided me with Clotilde in Handel’s Faramondo. ‘The a sense of stability and my Mum, being a Opera is very rarely performed so I very creative person herself, has really had to create the role from encouraged me to follow my dreams and scratch without turning to past supported me whilst achieving my goals. performances for inspiration. Alongside I have also been lucky to have the challenge of creating such a knowledgeable singing teachers who multifaceted character, it was an have had incredible careers themselves absolute dream to perform with the and have guided me in the right London Handel Orchestra under the direction. This is fundamental to baton of Laurence Cummings. My dream successful development as a vocal artist. role is Queen of the Night.” As for the future, like any artist, I have my wish-list and work hard every day Amy’s unique history and achievements towards those dreams. I love both Opera in sports have seen her become a and Musical Theatre and will continue national champion in gymnastics and on this incredible journey to grow as an also a more rounded performer. “I’m a artist and explore these genres. happier person when I have a million Performing is my passion in life and I things on my plate and I think I perform feel very fortunate to be a working vocal well under pressure. If I had any tips I artist, sharing this with audiences all would say surround yourself with like- over the world!”

Continue to follow Amy’s blossoming career at: facebook.com/amymanfordsoprano

Q & A with Natalie Di Luccio By Chantelle Constable

1) What is the story of how you first 1b) Share your first influences? started in music? In my early teens, I was introduced to My parents put me in singing lessons my current vocal coach, Inna Golsband. when I was five years old. I always use She has been my biggest musical to sing as a child and my brother had a influence and has really helped me find fascination with the guitar so they put my voice and master my technique. both of us into music lessons. Music was I grew up listening to a lot of Classical my only interest while growing up. I Crossover music. I really felt inspired by never missed a lesson and as I grew singers like Andrea Bocelli, Celine older I became much more serious about Dion, Josh Groban, and Sarah it. My mom used to drive me around Brightman. I would say they are my every day after school for music classes, strongest musical influences to date! auditions, rehearsals, piano/dance lessons, meetings - you name it. I 2) You did musical theatre as a wanted to do everything. I owe her and younger artist, correct? Any plans to my dad everything today. They pursue more theatre in the future? sacrificed a lot for me. Yes, I did. And I loved it! There is no set I remember as a child I had to practice plan as such in the near future but my 30 minutes of singing and 30 minutes of life has always been very spontaneous piano every day before I was allowed to and you never know what can pop up go outside and play with my friends. I around the corner. Having said that, it’s entered singing competitions from the not a priority of mine right now as I’m age of 6 and got accepted into a high focused on releasing my album this year. school for the arts when I was 12. After graduating from high school I went on to 3) Please tell the story of being invited McGill University to study Western through MySpace to sing on an Indian Classical Voice. A career in music was music compilation album in 2009 my only option. I had no backup plan.

During my time at McGill University, I artist’s career now. The artists we received a message from an Indian admired growing up always had a composer on Myspace. He messaged me mystery around them and now with about coming to India. I wasn't even social media, it’s become almost going to respond because often one got expected for artists to document our random messages on MySpace, but I daily life. I’m actually a pretty private did, saying, 'Thanks so much, maybe person so I sometimes struggle with this one day'. but I also realize that times are changing and you can’t live in the past. A few months later he got in touch again and said he was doing music for an The wonderful thing about social media album and wanted me to sing from and in particular YouTube is that an Canada. So I recorded and sent him my artist is in control of his/her career. vocals. After a few months, I got a CD. Earlier in the day, we could only be My voice was on an album of India’s heard if a record label signed us. Thanks biggest superstar, Sonu Nigam. This to the internet, we have the freedom to man had been working on Sonu Nigam’s release content anytime we’d like. Once album. That’s where it all began. you can cultivate an audience on YouTube, the world is at your fingertips! After this, I decided to take up the composer’s first offer and come to India. The only con with YouTube now is that His wife is a singer and he wanted to do we have a surplus of music and content a fusion album. It was from my first trip and I feel people’s attention spans have that I was introduced to Bollywood. reduced. Fans have gotten used to artists releasing music videos almost monthly. India just sucks you in. I fell in love with Earlier on, an artist would work on an Bollywood films and Indian music. I album for a year and release maybe 3-4 also started meeting a lot of people singles a year. Social media has moved working in films which made it all the everything in the fast lane. My only more interesting to watch. After concern is the quality. I wonder if we experiencing all of this, I knew this was can still create “legends” in this day and something I liked and wanted to be a age with how quickly things are moving part of. now.

4) Your thoughts (especially as we 5) Your transition in moving to India. were in the first generation of artists What were the challenges in the to grow up with computers/the cultural difference, and learning new internet) on the use of social media to languages? assist in a musician's career/promotion? Well, the first time I came to India, I, of course, had a culture shock. It was the Whether we like it or not, Social Media polar opposite of almost everything I is changing the way we artists function. I knew growing up in suburbia outside of believe it is an integral part of every Toronto. The immense population, the extreme diversity in rich & poor, the 6) Your recent TED talk on "leaving intense driving, the cows, the barbers on the comfort zone." Can you give us a the sidewalk. I’d never seen anything summary of that, and why that topic like this. At the same time, I was so is so important to you? fascinated by all of it. I loved it. I loved that my eyes never got bored looking out I am constantly in awe of the incredible the window or walking down the street. moments we can experience when we go There was always something completely outside our routine. Magic lies beyond foreign to me happening at any given your comfort zone. We often stop time. I crave this diversity now. India is ourselves from experiencing so much never boring it’s the perfect place for because we are afraid. someone like me who gets bored easily and likes to keep my brain stimulated. Fear is the reason many of us don’t There is never a dull moment! fulfill all our dreams, not because we are not good enough. We are afraid to step I didn’t know a word of Hindi before outside our comfort zones, break coming to India. I actually remember my routines and take chances but the most first day sitting in this families living magical moments in life will happen room and I was thinking, “I’ll never when you allow yourself to step outside know this language in my lifetime”. It your comfort zone. My entire journey till was super frustrating initially. Once I date, my career, all the incredible spent more time there, the words started experiences I’ve had, and people I’ve becoming more familiar to me. I had no met have all been because of that. In my preconceived notions of what Hindi was TED talk, I speak about my journey and (grammar or vocabulary) so I learned it also encourage people to get out of their as a baby would. I heard people talk. I comfort zones even if in the smallest of immersed myself in it. I went to plays, ways because when you let go of fear, movies, learned songs, got a Hindi tutor, the sky’s your limit. got a diction coach, practiced basically any way I could. Honestly, more than 7) Of the wide variety of projects, you any textbook will ever teach you-you have sung on so far (films, adverts, just need to be immersed in it and then compilations, etc) what has been your suddenly one day it starts to click. You favorite? somehow start to understand and the day you realize its happening it is really I enjoy the variety of work I’ve done in exciting. Now it’s been about 5 years films/adverts but my deep passion has and I’m quite proud of myself that I always been in Crossover music. My understand about 70% and can speak favorite project so far which is really enough to deal with any situation. I no close to my heart is a single that I longer need to call my friends to deal released last year. It’s an Indian fusion with the delivery guy or taxi driver or rendition of the Morricone classic “Nella anything like that! Those were the Fantasia”. frustrating times!

8) Your facebook bio states that you career in singing, it was the have worked with Mauro Malavasi, a opportunities already knocking in front producer of Pavarotti and Bocelli. of me, especially if I wanted to get into Your website promises an upcoming mainstream music. I had a lot of album. Can you give us any hints/ opportunities at that time but I couldn’t teasers/ideas of your musical explore any of them because I was in direction? school. This is where I talk about letting go of fear. It was one of the most I worked with Mauro Malavasi in difficult decisions to leave at a time Bologna for about a month and it was a when all of my friends were studying, to magical experience. He taught me a lot, pursue a career which is very uncertain, especially how to dig deep into my but if I didn’t take the chance when I emotions while singing. Without giving did, I really don’t know where I’d be much away, the music that I plan to now! release this year will follow along my path of bringing people closer together To answer your question, it definitely through music. depends on the direction of the singer. If you are getting into Opera, then a degree 9) You have a history of traveling -- can be very necessary to enter the opera back to your home in Canada, to Italy, world, or if you are looking to teach to Thailand... do you plan on staying music then a degree is necessary. If you mainly located in India, or do you are looking to sing in the crossover or foresee moving to another location to pop world, then a degree is not going to pursue further music opportunities? give you your career but it can of course help you become a better musician and give you a backup plan as a teacher. I’m I am somewhat a nomad. I travel a lot not a fan of backup plans though. In my but in the past India has been my base. opinion, the most important thing a This year, I definitely foresee spending a singer should have is a great vocal lot more time in the US and Europe to teacher. I think at the end of the day, a pursue my crossover career further. career in music all boils down to hard work, talent and persistence.

10) Did you finish your studies at 11) "Her aim is to constantly finding McGill University before moving to ways of bridging the gap between the India? How important do you think a east & west through music." -- What college degree is to those interested in do you think is the biggest gap the performing arts? between the east & west? Many

eastern classical music can sound I didn’t complete my studies at McGill. foreign and even unpleasant to ears During my second year I was feeling used to the western classical tradition. very confused, here I was accepted into Do you foresee a possible career, even one of the best opera programs in the on the side, even in music education? world but in my gut I knew it wasn’t the degree that was going to give me a

That's an interesting question. I often strongly connects with me. I find myself find when I am in the West I get tons of listening to a lot of Ed Sheeran, Sam questions about what life is like in India Smith and Rachel Platten lately. and also since I’ve traveled a lot, I get Recently anytime I need to feel inspired, many questions about the eastern I find myself listening to The Piano continent in general. Guys. I love their energy!

There is still a lot of curiosity 13) What (if any) are some of your surrounding these regions. Many people regular disciplines in maintaining believe in the stereotypes and only know your vocal and physical health? India for example as what they’ve seen on news or from films like Slumdog I usually go on voice rest one day a Millionaire. I feel in some small way, week if I can. I also try to warm up my through music, I have an opportunity to voice every day before speaking so my educate people on different parts of the voice is placed correctly throughout the world, different cultures, different ways day! I use to go to the gym a lot but now of life. In a very small way, I’ve seen at I’ve gotten into Yoga. It’s really helped least the people I’ve grown up with have me instill calmness in my mind and a changed perception of what India is become extra aware of my breath. I and I feel good about that. I’ve had think Yoga should be a part of every many friends travel this side of the world singer's routine! that may never have if I didn’t tell them about it, so in a small way, I feel I have 14) Do you have any dream duets or this unique opportunity to break down collaborations? (When I listen to your walls between cultures. While talking music, I am reminded of the about the music aspect, there are so "Dharohar Project" with Mumford & many musical traditions that we don’t Sons and Laura Marling.) know about, so many unique instruments out there that haven’t come to the (Wow! I’d never heard “Dharohar forefront, so many interesting ways Project” before. This is super cool! music is a part of people’s daily life These are Manganiyar folk artists from across the world. Even if in the most the same family that I collaborated with subtle of ways I can start adding these in Rajasthan.) Well of course like most elements to my music, or at least giving crossover singers, it’s always been a these traditions a platform, it would be a dream to sing with Andrea Bocelli & step in the right direction. Josh Groban. Two singers I’ve grown up admiring. Outside the crossover world, 12) What are some of your other there are so many collaborations I want influences besides classical and to explore. One being in North East eastern music? Any secret guilty pop India where they have very unique tribal music pleasures? choirs. Without giving too much away, trying to get to North East next! I am all about heart. Anything where you can feel the singer’s emotions bleed 15) Do you write original music, create something magical and showcase prefer to sing / re-arrange covers, or the beauty of Rajasthan at the same time. debut songs by other original composers? This video was a 3-year journey. We first recorded my vocals in LA and then I love to do it all, although I love re- I brought Sawan Khan to Mumbai for arranging old classics and bringing my recording his bit. Sawan was the real own twist to them. Having said that, deal and not someone touched by there is nothing like singing your own modernization, which I absolutely loved. songs. Although Sawan and I couldn’t communicate directly -- he only spoke in 16) Finally, let’s end with the story of Sindhi and I, in broken Hindi, which his making your music video for Nella son then translated, to Sindhi -- we Fantasia "A Dream From Rajasthan.” formed a special bond instantly. Shooting the video was a memorable The concept came to mind four years experience. We landed in Jodhpur and ago when I met Sawan Khan spent about a week trying to get Manganiyar in Mumbai. He was permissions for the Mehrangarh Fort and performing on MTV’s Coke Studio at flying the crew from different areas in the time and his performance gave me India. We shot the video in 8 hours as goosebumps. I spent hours on the the Fort couldn’t be held up for long. Internet watching video clips of Needless to say, it was one of the most Manganiyars of Rajasthan and was special days of my life and a project I extremely fascinated by their style of am really proud of. music. I knew that together we could

Keep up to date with Natalie’s travels at nataliediluccio.com