JOANNE MCGAHON In her own words QUESTIONS BY CHANTELLE CONSTABLE How it All Began As a girl, I started singing in my school Open Air Prom. I sang ‘O Mio Babbino choir and we were lucky enough to sing on Caro’ and all the Last Night of the Prom the BBC and at St. Albans Cathedral. I favorites with full orchestra which was one loved being in a choir during my school of the most exciting nights of my life – all days and after leaving school I initially my family and friends were there, a very performed in musical theatre shows such as special moment! 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Oliver'. It was then This ignited my passion further and I then that I started some vocal training and my performed a huge amount of oratorio with singing teacher encouraged me to try opera choirs and choral societies – the hardest which he assured me would help with all being Bach's Mass in B Minor which was aspects and styles of singing. I began by one of the most challenging but definitely learning some arias from Bizet's 'Carmen' very rewarding! I have been very fortunate and I immediately fell in love with the to have been asked to sing at many events in music. Britain and abroad and some of these Within a year I had auditioned and experiences have been the most fulfilling successfully gained a place training with and happy times. It's exciting working with English National Opera, which resulted in new people and sharing music with performances of some modern operas - one audiences. I feel very privileged to have had in particular at the Hackney Empire. I was the opportunities that have come my way. then fortunate to win 'The Voice of North I love the diversity of my work - Corporate London' and was asked to sing at Trent Park and Sporting Events, Concerts and Oratorio, Opera roles, session recording and last year I sang live on Absolute Radio as well as music, it's very emotional and it never fails joining the panel on BBC 3 Counties Radio. to move me. I will normally sing at least one A highlight of my career was recently Puccini aria at a solo concert as it has the touring with 'All Souls Orchestra' in Vienna, ability to connect with the audience like they are an amazing group of musicians, nothing else. After my concerts, audience working together to perform moving members regularly say they are inspired to programs which were truly uplifting. go and watch a whole opera for the first time and I like to think I am a stepping stone to New Album mainstream opera. When I put a program together I always try and chose songs that My first classical album ‘Laudate the audience will find familiar, the best bits Dominum’ was recorded back in 2010 with from operas, shows, and musicals that will piano, trumpet and violin and I thought it take them on a journey of emotions but I was time for a follow up album! I am so will always end with something joyful, excited about my new recording with the preferably with a big ending! City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and I admire the voice of Maria Callas, her early the amazing conductor Paul Bateman. recordings in particular where her voice was Travelling to Prague to sing live at Smecky at its best. I am also a massive fan of Julie Studios was a dream come true and I was Andrews, her voice is like a bell and her well looked after by the Tadlow Music diction is so clear and endearing. Performing production team. I had to pinch myself when the role of Maria and singing Do Re Mi with I was in the studio as it was such an amazing children's choir at the Alban Arena a few experience – of course, there was pressure years back was a moment I will always singing live but it was worth it as the treasure! orchestra responded organically to my singing and we created some magic Charity moments. The new album consists of popular operatic arias and classical favorites In my spare time, I work for a charity called as well as some Gershwin and musical Lost Chord providing therapeutic concerts theatre pieces, hopefully, there is something for Alzheimer and Dementia patients. I for everyone. I can't wait to share the album perform lots of familiar songs and arias, and I hope to release the recording early often holding the patient's hands and using 2018. eye contact and musical expression to encourage participation. The concerts are The Voice very moving as the music reignites memories and brings so much happiness to My voice type is a dramatic soprano – last patients, families, and careers. It's such a year I made my debut in the title role of privilege to see the power of music and use Tosca by Puccini. It was my dream role – I my singing in this way. loved every minute of it and I hope to play the part again someday. I love Puccini's Busking the nerves away Continuing Education A few years ago, I began opera singing in I recently did a course at the National Opera the lower piazza in Covent Garden. Even Studio working with some amazing tutors though I was a seasoned performer, I was and I still regularly meet with my original struggling with nerves at that time so I singing teacher (who sang at Covent decided it would be good to have a regular Garden) for coaching and he is wonderfully showing platform to help normalize encouraging and honest. Over the years I've performance and take some of the pressure learned to trust in my technique and for me, off that I would often pile on myself to be one of the most important things is to perfect! (of course, no one is perfect!) I had prepare and practice properly so that I'm never done anything like busking before and completely ready and confident – this it was quite daunting to start with as the particularly helps with nerves. audience is transient but I worked hard to connect with the crowds and the rewards Travel were joyous! I now get so much lovely feedback when I sing there and lots of I have been very blessed to sing in some people buy my CD! The atmosphere is very wonderful places: Turkey, New York, Italy, exciting and although I still get nervous on France, Scotland, Sweden, and Prague. A occasion, singing there has really released highlight for me was recently touring with me to perform freely and built my 'All Souls Orchestra' in Vienna, an amazing confidence as a performer. group of musicians, working together to perform moving programs which were truly Keeping Active uplifting. Being an active performer can be hard work, Most of my performances are in London especially when juggling family life and where I live and recently I have been managing gigs and bookings so I think it's nicknamed 'The London Soprano' which I important to try and keep fairly fit as a love as I'm proud to be associated with our singer. You need stamina to get through capital city. My main ambition is to use my some of the schedules and the rollercoaster music to bring pleasure to audiences and I of performing life. Running helps with hope to get involved in more charity work in breathing technique and aids sleeping which the future using music to impact on people's all combines to aid well-being. I have two lives. I'm looking forward to working on Labradors (Bernard and Stanley) so I jog new projects and fingers crossed with them wherever possible. I have been collaborating with some exciting artists and known to run for charity but it's more of a composers. Please watch out for my new jog! album and I hope you enjoy! God Bless, Joanne xxx To learn more about Joanne visit her website joannemcgahon.com Christina Johnston By Natasha Barbieri Nicknamed the ‘Nightingale,’ Christina She continued to study at Framlingham Johnston has been singing her whole life. College with fellow alumna Laura Wright. From the age of nine on she began to take This was an especially important step as lessons. "I loved every minute of singing, it Christina was unsure of her musical was my favorite part of the day and week at direction. "I always wanted to be a singer, school apart from acting and painting." As but I didn't know which genre I wanted to go she has matured Christina has gained a into as I loved musical theatre, classical and reputation for a sound that is crystal clear pop." The support of her teachers especially with an incredible upper range that has been from the Head of Music, Rob Goodrich, carefully cultivated. "I think my high notes proved to be a turning point. "He were always there but teachers never pushed encouraged me to enter BBC Choir Girl of my voice as not to damage it. I only realized the Year and he also gave me opportunities how powerful my top range was when I was outside the school to perform solos to gain 21 during my training at the State Opera more experience and grow as an artist." House in Prague." Interestingly, although Suffolk was her She encourages other singers to "try and find home, Christina would make Prague her a really good teacher who can train you and base.