Camilla Kerslake

Camilla Kerslake
Birth name Camilla Kerslake
Born (1988-08-05) 5 August 1988
Origin London, England
Genres Classical crossover, operatic pop
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2009-present
Labels Future Records (2009-2012)

Camilla Kerslake (born 5 August 1988)[1] is an English classical crossover singer from London who has become the first signing to Gary Barlow’s new record label.[2] She released her debut album on 23 November 2009 in the UK.

Background

Camilla was born in Dulwich to a Welsh mother and New Zealand-born father. The family moved to New Zealand shortly after and lived there until returning to the United Kingdom eight years later. Kerslake "prides herself on her English/Welsh/Kiwi roots".[3] After attending Esher College,[4] Kerslake sought singing lessons, but opted to sing contemporary as she could not afford classical training.[5]

In 2008, after years of auditioning, Kerslake won a place in an all-girl pop group. She was initially selected, but was let go soon afterwards owing to their feeling that, at twenty years of age, she was too old. Motivated to try harder, Kerslake started performing in pubs and working men's clubs as well as in an Abba tribute band to finance her own classical singing lessons.[5] She currently dates the captain of the England National Rugby Union Team, Chris Robshaw.

Career

In early 2009, Kerslake learned of a studio where Gary Barlow was recording. She submitted her demo CD "every day for six weeks" until Barlow finally listened to it. Instantly impressed, Kerslake promptly became Barlow's first signing under his new label, Future Records.[2]

Her first album, Camilla Kerslake, was released 23 November 2009. A song from this album, the Christian hymn "How Can I Keep from Singing?", was featured in a 2009 Waitrose supermarket Christmas advert.[6]

At the 2010 Classic Brit Awards Kerslake was nominated for NS&I album of the year and her live performance from the ceremony, with classical boy band Blake and Howard Goodall's Enchanted voices, was chosen to become the first ever charity single release from the awards.[7]

Kerslake sang the United Kingdom national anthem at Wembley Stadium before the 2010 football League Cup final between Manchester United and Aston Villa.[8] As well as Abide with me at the Challenge Cup final between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves in 2010. [9] Similarly Kerslake regularly provides the pre-match entertainment at Twickenham Stadium, having performed there a total of 6 times, both for international and premiership matches [3]

Camilla also performed the national anthem for the Queen's arrival at the Epsom Derby in 2010[10] as well as two charity concerts for the royal family, one at Buckingham Palace for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and two at Windsor castle for Prince Edward.

Following a West End run, Kerslake was forced to pull out of the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena under doctor's orders, owing to a throat infection. Katie Hall was selected to replace her. However, luckily for Camilla she was able to fulfill her 02 dreams with two sold out performances with celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli in November 2012.[11]

Camilla's second album, Moments, was released on 21 March 2011 to critical acclaim.

in June 2011 Kerslake's mother, Dr Deborah Kerslake, was diagnosed with breast cancer and Camilla suspended all non-charitable work commitments until Deborah was given the all clear in August 2012.[12] Kerslake has since become an ambassador for The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Breast cancer campaign.

Camilla's philanthropic work continued throughout 2013 with several appearances for Breakthrough Breast Cancer including a memorable performance at the Inspiration awards for women 2013.[13]

After discovering the positive effect singing had on the mental well being of cancer patients during her mothers battle, Kerslake decided to form a choir of women directly affected by the disease with some members still undergoing treatment for it.[14] The 21 strong group, named the Sing to Beat Breast Cancer Choir, along with Kerslake and her longtime collaborators Blake recorded a version of you raise me up with the blessing of its lyricist Brendan Graham. All proceeds went to the breast cancer campaign [15] Camilla joined Blake on their 20 date Autumn tour to promote the single which culminated with a moving performance at the Pink Ribbon ball for which the choir received a standing ovation. The group also performed on the breast cancer awareness special of TV show This Morning

Tours and live work

Camilla has toured with English tenor Russell Watson,[16] Irish catholic group The Priests Classical girl band All Angels and vocal trio Blake as well as Christmas performances with Simon Cowells crossover super group Il Divo [17] and arena shows with Andrea Bocelli

Music and voice

Kerslake has been described as a coloratura soprano[1] and can reach top B above high C (B6).[5] As seen in "Stars at night" from her first album "Camilla Kerslake" and her live performances of "Canto Della Terra". Camilla has performed as Cosette in London's West End production of Les Misérables, which requires her to sing up to C6 in the number "One Day More."

Discography

Album Year UK Albums UK Classical Sales
Camilla Kerslake 2009 50[18] 4 Silver
Moments 2011 90[18] N/A N/A

References

  1. 1 2 "Profile on Classical Crossover.co.uk" Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  2. 1 2 Camilla Kerslake is first signing for Gary Barlow’s Future Records, buzzinpopmusic.co.uk 8 October 2009
  3. 1 2 Kisiel, Ryan (3 December 2012). "Divided loyalties of rugby hero's girl: Camilla Kerslake pictured with New Zealand stars hours after boyfriend Chris Robshaw helped England to famous victory". Daily Mail (London).
  4. ↑ Joseph, Claudia (31 October 2009). "Gary Barlow changed my life, by classical diva Camilla Kerslake". Daily Mail (Swansea).
  5. 1 2 3 "" Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  6. ↑ Waitrose Christmas campaign to promote singer Camilla Kerslake, Guardian, 10 November 2009
  7. ↑ Masters, Tim (11 May 2010). "Camilla Kerslake aims for high note at Classical Brits". BBC News.
  8. ↑ "Biz bites and showbiz snaps". London: The Sun. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/whereilive/8349345.CUP_FINAL__Pre_match_entertainment_at_Wolves_versus_Rhinos_Challenge_Cup_Final/
  10. ↑ Woods, Judith. Daily Mail (London) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1317952/Camilla-Kerslake-The-soprano-making-classical-pop-winning-combo.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ http://www.classical-crossover.co.uk/articles/blog/469-an-evening-with-camilla-kerslake-review.html
  12. ↑ Gannon, Louise (29 December 2012). "I pulled out of shows worth £250,000 (and snubbed a prince) to nurse Mum through cancer: Camilla Kerslake's mother had been her rock... then the roles were reversed". Daily Mail (London).
  13. ↑ Sheridan, Emily (2 October 2013). "'Hardcore' Lucy Mecklenburgh fights off Vegas jetlag to put on a glowing appearance at Inspiration Awards for Women". Daily Mail (London).
  14. ↑ Innes, Emma (11 October 2013). "'I want to make my survival count': Breast cancer, 55, patient joins choir of women with the disease to record fundraising single with Camilla Kerslake and Blake". Daily Mail (London).
  15. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4fID88SnHo
  16. ↑ http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/what-s-on/music-going-out/live-music-russell-watson-and-camilla-kerslake-for-classical-concert-1-377537
  17. ↑ http://www.ildivofans.net/gallery/index.php?cat=23
  18. 1 2 "UK Top 75 Album Chart" Retrieved 29 November 2009.

External links

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