Post by bobscullen on Feb 29, 2012 1:12:48 GMT
I have included a short bio of this talented Soprano who I also think is very underated and was taken from her web site.
'Margaret Keys is an Internationally recognised Irish Classical Crossover soprano, who signed a record deal with Universal Records.
She was a primary school teacher for four years in Ireland, before taking a career break and entering the music industry. Margaret began her singing at the tender age of 4 at the Mc Cafferty School of Music, Derry, N. Ireland.
Her musical talents progressed throughout her school years and she was awarded the “Trinity College of Music, London” Medal for the best overall performer in music examinations within the UK at just 15yrs old. Whilst studying for a Bachelor of Music Education at St Mary’s University College, Belfast (A College of Queen’s University, Belfast) Margaret continued her vocal studies with the late Irene Sandford, professor of vocal studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin.
Having obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Music Education, Margaret was awarded a scholarship to train for a Masters degree at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. During her studies at RSAMD, Margaret performed as a soloist at the Rennie Mackintosh Museum, Skibough Castle, performed in RSAMD’s opera productions and took master classes with Dame Felicity Lott and Sir Philip Langridge. After graduating from the RSAMD, Margaret took up a position as a primary school teacher and music specialist in Derry, N. Ireland. She combined this with her music career playing the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the young Irish singer, Katy Tourish, in the tour of the new Irish Play Miracle in Ballymore.
In 2008 Margaret entered the BBC talent show “How do you solve a problem like Maria.” During this time she worked alongside Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and top West End coaches. Out of 6,000 Margaret made it down to the final cut and was awarded the “BBC Fame Academy Award.”
That same year she was winner of the RTÉ Radio 1 “Search for a Musical Star” and performed the role of Carrie in the RTÉ Production of Carousel with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Following these performances and competitive successes, Margaret was then awarded the “New York Artist Award.” This allowed her to travel to Broadway, New York and train and work with the Broadway stars and with the Opera New York vocal coaches.
Margaret continued to work with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and made her debut as the lead soloist in a “Celebration to Sondheim” in The National Concert Hall of Ireland.
In 2009 Margaret performed at the Lakeside Proms Concert in New Zealand in front of an audience of 35,000. Following this performance she was approached by New Zealand’s top selling magazine “Simply You” to model designer clothes and to feature in their magazine. She completed her second tour of New Zealand in May 2010.
Her beautiful Irish colleen looks and a heavenly voice to match, she was soon being referred to as the newest international classical sensation.
"Every once in a while an artist makes you feel truly humbled; Margaret Keys is one of those artists. She has a voice of pure beauty and warmth that only true talent can express. I know the world will fall in love with Margaret Keys." (Universal Classics Managing Director)
Margaret became the “Face of the N. Ireland Arts Festival” in 2009 and 2010 and is now an ambassador and supporter for Derry, the UK City of Culture 2013.
Margaret released her debut album "Legato"with Universal records internationally and it debuted at number 14 in the Charts. She is now a recognised artist on "Classical Crossover UK" and is presently at number 12 in their charts.
Margaret was highly honoured when she was invited to perform as the soloist for the Pope’s Papal Legate and envoy Cardinal O’Brien as part of the huge Centenary celebrations in Ireland.
She recorded and performed on the PBS American TV Special with The Priests which was subsequently made into a DVD. This was aired in the USA in March 2010.
She featured in the BBC Proms "A celebration to Sondheim at 80 "in the Royal Albert Hall (July 2010). Bryn Terfel and Dame Judi Dench also featured in the Proms concert.
Margaret was invited to perform as special guest artiste with the renowned Welsh choir, Platinum selling and Classical Brit nominees "The Fron Male Voice Choir" in November 2010.'
On her return from the USA Margaret performed as special guest with the acclaimed tenor and West End Star Alfie Boe and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Margaret performed in several concerts in New York City in the summer of 2011 with the Platinum selling Artists "The Fron Male Voice Choir" as their soloist and special guest. She also toured the UK with them in October and November 2011.
Following these successes, Margaret was invited to perform as guest soloist by the BBC for the recording and live broadcast of "Sing Carols live" in December 2011. She also made several appearances for the BBC in Christmas Special programmes and for BBC Radio Ulster.
Visit Margaret Keys on her web site www.margaretkeys.co.uk/ and listen to her marvellous voice from tracks taken from her recent album Legato.'
'Margaret Keys is an Internationally recognised Irish Classical Crossover soprano, who signed a record deal with Universal Records.
She was a primary school teacher for four years in Ireland, before taking a career break and entering the music industry. Margaret began her singing at the tender age of 4 at the Mc Cafferty School of Music, Derry, N. Ireland.
Her musical talents progressed throughout her school years and she was awarded the “Trinity College of Music, London” Medal for the best overall performer in music examinations within the UK at just 15yrs old. Whilst studying for a Bachelor of Music Education at St Mary’s University College, Belfast (A College of Queen’s University, Belfast) Margaret continued her vocal studies with the late Irene Sandford, professor of vocal studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin.
Having obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Music Education, Margaret was awarded a scholarship to train for a Masters degree at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. During her studies at RSAMD, Margaret performed as a soloist at the Rennie Mackintosh Museum, Skibough Castle, performed in RSAMD’s opera productions and took master classes with Dame Felicity Lott and Sir Philip Langridge. After graduating from the RSAMD, Margaret took up a position as a primary school teacher and music specialist in Derry, N. Ireland. She combined this with her music career playing the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the young Irish singer, Katy Tourish, in the tour of the new Irish Play Miracle in Ballymore.
In 2008 Margaret entered the BBC talent show “How do you solve a problem like Maria.” During this time she worked alongside Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and top West End coaches. Out of 6,000 Margaret made it down to the final cut and was awarded the “BBC Fame Academy Award.”
That same year she was winner of the RTÉ Radio 1 “Search for a Musical Star” and performed the role of Carrie in the RTÉ Production of Carousel with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Following these performances and competitive successes, Margaret was then awarded the “New York Artist Award.” This allowed her to travel to Broadway, New York and train and work with the Broadway stars and with the Opera New York vocal coaches.
Margaret continued to work with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and made her debut as the lead soloist in a “Celebration to Sondheim” in The National Concert Hall of Ireland.
In 2009 Margaret performed at the Lakeside Proms Concert in New Zealand in front of an audience of 35,000. Following this performance she was approached by New Zealand’s top selling magazine “Simply You” to model designer clothes and to feature in their magazine. She completed her second tour of New Zealand in May 2010.
Her beautiful Irish colleen looks and a heavenly voice to match, she was soon being referred to as the newest international classical sensation.
"Every once in a while an artist makes you feel truly humbled; Margaret Keys is one of those artists. She has a voice of pure beauty and warmth that only true talent can express. I know the world will fall in love with Margaret Keys." (Universal Classics Managing Director)
Margaret became the “Face of the N. Ireland Arts Festival” in 2009 and 2010 and is now an ambassador and supporter for Derry, the UK City of Culture 2013.
Margaret released her debut album "Legato"with Universal records internationally and it debuted at number 14 in the Charts. She is now a recognised artist on "Classical Crossover UK" and is presently at number 12 in their charts.
Margaret was highly honoured when she was invited to perform as the soloist for the Pope’s Papal Legate and envoy Cardinal O’Brien as part of the huge Centenary celebrations in Ireland.
She recorded and performed on the PBS American TV Special with The Priests which was subsequently made into a DVD. This was aired in the USA in March 2010.
She featured in the BBC Proms "A celebration to Sondheim at 80 "in the Royal Albert Hall (July 2010). Bryn Terfel and Dame Judi Dench also featured in the Proms concert.
Margaret was invited to perform as special guest artiste with the renowned Welsh choir, Platinum selling and Classical Brit nominees "The Fron Male Voice Choir" in November 2010.'
On her return from the USA Margaret performed as special guest with the acclaimed tenor and West End Star Alfie Boe and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Margaret performed in several concerts in New York City in the summer of 2011 with the Platinum selling Artists "The Fron Male Voice Choir" as their soloist and special guest. She also toured the UK with them in October and November 2011.
Following these successes, Margaret was invited to perform as guest soloist by the BBC for the recording and live broadcast of "Sing Carols live" in December 2011. She also made several appearances for the BBC in Christmas Special programmes and for BBC Radio Ulster.
Visit Margaret Keys on her web site www.margaretkeys.co.uk/ and listen to her marvellous voice from tracks taken from her recent album Legato.'
