- Margaret Keys
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Margaret Keys 
Background information Birth name Margaret Keys Born Derry, Northern Ireland Origin Northern Ireland Genres Classical Crossover, Musical theater Occupations Singer Labels Universal Records Website Margaret Keys Official MySpace Margaret Keys is an Irish classical crossover soprano who recently signed a record deal with Universal Records. She was a primary school teacher in Ireland before taking a career break and entering the music industry. She has a First Class Honours Degree in Music Education and a Masters degree in Singing and Performance from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.[1]
She has performed extensively in Ireland, Great Britain, North America and Australia. She has also participated in musical theater productions (including Broadway) and vocal workshops. Being the recipient of the New York Artist Award and the BBC Fame Academy Bursary, Keys was privileged to work with acclaimed stars, producers and directors from Broadway, including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.[1] Her musical theater repertoire includes, amongst others, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, Mary Poppins and Carousel.[2]
Contents
Education and early career
Keys was born and raised in Derry, N.Ireland in a family of 4 children. She has a non-identical twin Sister, Rosemary, who is a doctor. Keys hails from a musical family. Her grandmother was the winner of the Deanna Durbin singing competition at just 16 years old.
Margaret began her singing at the age of 4 at the Mc Cafferty School of Music Derry. Keys attended Thornhill College Convent Grammar in Derry, Northern Ireland. She played the leading role in the school productions of Finian's Rainbow and Show Boat. Keys’s 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 the age of 15.
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. Having obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Music Education, Keys was awarded a scholarship to train for a Masters degree at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.[3] During her studies at RSAMD, Keys performed as a soloist at the Rennie Mackintosh Museum, Skibough Castle, performed in RSAMD’s opera productions and took masterclasses with Dame Felicity Lott and Sir Philip Langridge.
After graduating from the RSAMD, Keys took up a position as a primary school teacher and music specialist in Derry. She combined this with her music career playing the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and as the young Irish singer Katy Tourish in the tour of the new Irish Play A Miracle in Ballymore. Keys continued to excel in her music career. In 2007 she 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 Keys 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. Keys 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. Keys 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.
Keys also made several National and International TV appearances as a performer on RTÉ, BBC and TVNZ. She has also presented the “Witness” programme for UTV leading up to the Easter Celebrations. Keys also completed a television presentation and broadcasting diploma with RTÉ Directors and producers.[4]
Current career
In September 2008 Keys took a career break from her teaching position. In January 2009 she was asked to perform at the Lakeside Proms Concert in New Zealand in front of an audience of 35,000. Following this performance Keys was approached by New Zealand’s top selling magazine “Simply You” to model designer clothes and to feature in their magazine. Whilst in New Zealand Keys was asked to record a demo of songs. She was then offered a record deal with Universal records Australia.
[1] Universal Classics Managing Director said: "Every once in a while an artist makes you truly feel 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."[5]
In June 2009 Keys 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.
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 US in March 2010.[6]
She completed her second tour of New Zealand in May 2010. She featured in the BBC Proms A celebration to Sondheim in the Royal Albert Hall (July 2010) as a former winner of the BBC Fame Academy Award. Bryn Terfel and Dame Judi Dench also featured in the Proms concert. In November and December 2010, Keys was also invited to join the Classical Brit nominees "The Fron Male Voice Choir- voices of the valley" in concert and performed in the “Hallelujah Young Voices Concerts” with Universal Record's Irish artists "The High Kings"
Margaret was the “Face of the N. Ireland Arts Festival” in 2009 and 2010 and is now an ambassador for Derry, the UK City of Culture 2013.[7]
2011, saw Keys further her career within the UK and US. Keys embarked on a tour of the US performing in Los Angelos, Palm Springs, Modesto, San Francisco and Texas headlining the concert “Ireland’s Favourite Stars” alongside America’s got Talent finalists. She also performed in several Broadway Evening Concerts with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and Donald Braswell II.
Keys was also invited to join the acclaimed tenor and West End star Alfie Boe and the National Symphony Orchestra in concert in May 2011. In August 2011 she was special guest artiste with the phenomenally successful and multi-platinum selling The Fron Male Voice Choir in their US tour of New York City. She performed in several concerts during this tour and has said that her highlight was performing in the stunning and historical St Partrick's Catherdral. Keys' tour of New York City was filmed by the Welsh channel S4C, which was aired in September 2011. It was also made into a documentary by ITV Wales called "Living the Dream."
Legato
Keys released her first studio album, Legato, which debuted at number 14 in New Zealand, sandwiched between releases from Michael Jackson and Black Sabbath.[8] The album showcases Keys’s interpretation of everything ranging from classical to traditional Celtic pieces to popular standards.
- Tears in Heaven
- I Knew I Loved You
- I Could Have Danced All Night
- In The Arms Of An Angel
- He Was Beautiful (Cavatina)
- You Raise Me Up
- Night Of Stars (Barcarolle)
- Pie Jesu
- Mr. Snow
- Isle Of Innisfree
Keys recently toured New Zealand and Australia, where her debut album was released. She hopes for performance opportunities at the Sydney Opera House and also plans to promote her album in the UK, Ireland and North America.[8]
Philanthropy
Keys takes pride in her work with children as well as her contributions to charities. In 2007 she founded her own production company, MKeys Productions, where she produced and directed three productions featuring 80 children, proceeds of which all went to various charities. Furthermore, she often participates in singing and performance workshops for children ages 8–17.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Margaret Keys: Be willing to take a chance". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10580474.
- ^ "Margaret Keys Info". Cancer Society Auckland. http://www.cancersocietyauckland.co.nz/Uploads/Margaret%20Keys%20info.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-06.[dead link]
- ^ "Interview with Margaret Keys". http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Margaret-Keys-is-an-Irish-Classical-crossover-soprano-who-recently-signed-a-4-year-deal-with-Universal-Records/tabid/506/articleID/13720/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
- ^ "Margaret Keys Official MySpace Bio". http://www.myspace.com/margaretkeys. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ Legato liner notes
- ^ "The Priests light up Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral". http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.priests.light.up.liverpool.metropolitan.cathedral/24605.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-0827.
- ^ "City of Culture 2013 - Margaret Keys". http://www.cityofculture2013.com/Our-2013-Bid/Our-Champs/Margaret-Keys.aspx. Retrieved 2010-08-0827.
- ^ a b "Derry singers in talks with Universal Records". Derry Journal. http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Derry-singer-i%20n-talks-with.5576756.jp. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
External links
Categories:- Opera crossover singers
- Irish female singers
- Irish opera singers
- Living people
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