Margaret Keys

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Margaret Keys
File:Margaret Keys in concert.jpg
Background information
Birth name Margaret Keys
Born Derry, Northern Ireland
Origin Northern Ireland
Genres Classical Crossover, Musical theatre
Occupation(s) Singer
Website margaretkeys.co.uk

Margaret Keys is an Irish classical crossover soprano. 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 theatre 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 theatre repertoire includes, amongst others, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, Mary Poppins and Carousel.[2]

Education and early career

Keys was born and raised in Derry, N.Ireland in a family of four 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 four 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 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. 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

Keys 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.

"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."

Keys was highly honoured to be 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.

Following this 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.[5]

She has completed her second tour of New Zealand and also featured in the BBC Proms A celebration to Sondheim in the Royal Albert Hall as a former winner of the BBC Fame Academy Award. Bryn Terfel and Dame Judi Dench also featured in the Proms concert. 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 has also modelled and was the "Face of the N. Ireland Arts Festival" for two consecutive years. She is now an ambassador for Derry, the UK City of Culture 2013.[6]

Keys continued to further her career both within the UK and Internationally. She embarked on a tour of the US performing in Los Angeles, 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 as well as performing as 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 Patrick's Cathedral. Keys' tour of New York City was filmed by the Welsh channel S4C. It was also made into a documentary by ITV Wales. Margaret once again toured as special guest with the "Fron Male Voice Choir" in their UK Tour following the release of their 5th Album with Universal Classics. These concerts took place in October and November 2011. Margaret was invited to perform as the star soloist in BBC Ulster "Sing Carols Live" concert, which was broadcast from the Assembly Buildings in Belfast, in front of an invited audience of 1,500 people.

In early 2012, Keys featured in the ITV Wales Documentary "Living the Dream", which was based on her tour with the Fron Male Voice Choir to New York City in the summer of 2011. In February she made her debut at the grand Ulster Hall, Belfast, as special guest in a gala concert with 8 male voice choirs from throughout Ireland. Margaret was invited to perform on the BBC Sounds Classical Programme as part of a special broadcast focusing on the genre of Classical Crossover music. It also featured the top selling soprano Lesley Garrett and interviews from top Classical Critics. In conjunction with her role as music ambassador for The UK City of Culture 2013, she performed as soloist at the Departure Ceremony for the International "Clipper Round the World Yacht Race". Keys once again joined the Classical Brit winners and Universal Records Artistes The Welsh Fron Male Voice Choir in an Irish tour in the Autumn of 2012. She was also invited to perform at the Special 2012 BBC Christmas Broadcast from the Titanic Buildings, Belfast. Dana and Brian Kennedy, two of Ireland's Eurovision song contest winners, also performed in this BBC Broadcast.

Keys recorded the BBC theme tune for the UK City of Culture 2013. The lyrics were written by poet Seamus Heaney. The theme tune has been played throughout all of the City of Culture advertisements on BBC radio and Television. Margaret appeared and performed as special guest on the popular national TV programme "Songs of Praise" to an estimated audience of over 2.5 million. The programme was presented by fellow Irish man Eamonn Holmes. Margaret performed in "Party in the Park 2013" alongside Britain Got Talent finalists Escala and Classical Brit winner Russell Watson.

Following her national UK television performance Margaret was invited to perform at the Prestigious HRH's Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts Carol Concert, alongside a stellar line up of artists including Amanda Holden, John Suchet, Penelope Wilton, Brian Blessed and Classical Brit winner 2013 Amy Dickson. The concert was recorded by Classic fm and aired on Christmas Eve to an audience of 5.5 million. She also performed as special guest at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital Carol concert with Nanette Newman, Sir John Standing, Simon Callow and Alison Steadman. Margaret was then featured in the Hello Magazine Christmas Special edition.

Margaret has now been asked to become the new music ambassador for the Prince's Foundation alongside Alfie Boe, Sir Elton John, Sharon Osbourne, Julian Lloyd Weber and Brian Blessed. She will made her first appearance as an ambassador for the HRH's foundation in early 2014.

Margaret performed as guest artist to Britain's got talent's winner Paul Potts in his UK and Irish tour throughout 2014. She was invited by the BBC to perform live on several TV broadcasts and performed on the special BBC Broadcast Memorial concert for the Late BBC Broadcasting legend Gerry anderson. Margaret performed as the soloist alongside Westminster Abbey's boy's choir in front of HRH Duchess of Gloucester in a Special Christmas Carol concert in December 2014 Also performing at the event was Sir Julian Fellowes, creator of the hugely successful Downton Abbey series, Zoe wanamaker, actress and star of Harry Potter and Anton du Beke, dancer and star of Strictly Come Dancing. Margaret modelled and featured on several UK and Irish magazines throughout 2014 and was invited by the top selling Good Housekeeping Magazine to perform in their annual Celebrity Concert.

2015 saw Keys perform in the star studded Gala Concerts in London's Theatre Royal, which was produced by leading West End producer Bill Kenwright. She was also invited to sing for a Special Broadcast for The Vatican radio/CTV which was broadcast to over 61 different countries and was part of An Audience with Pope Francis. In September 2015 Margaret was invited to perform for Pope Francis' first ever visit to the United States of America as part of the World Festival of Families. She performed in front of an audience of 1.5 Million and her performance was broadcast live throughout the world. Andrea Bocelli and Aretha Frankin were also invited to perform at the festival.

Legato

Keys released her first studio album, Legato

Philanthropy

Keys takes pride in her work with children as well as her contributions to charities. 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

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

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