A Song for Everything

2018 has really been an amazing year.  When I look back on what I've actually done this year it is actually quite crazy but I've enjoyed every minute of it.  There have been times of difficulty and real stress when things didn't go to plan but God has blessed me so abundantly and really allowed me to use my gifts to share with people and to create a life that is really full of joy. So at the beginning of this year, I actually said I was gonna have a quieter year and that turned out to not be true in the slightest. But it has been amazing!  So this year, I have done Oklahoma on a Farm twice, played Princess Fiona in an SA Premiere of Shrek (plus learned to tap dance), done a Bee Gee's Tribute with my sisters, climbed aboard a Pirate Ship many times, been a Siamese Twin in SideShow the Musical, been an Ice & Fire Queen, learnt and performed many Elvis songs, sang on a Cruise Ship,  sang on the radio 4 times, perfomed in concerts, gigs, dinners, and

I am blessed. A week ago I got back from an amazing singing trip. Cruising the seas, performing with amazing musicians and performers, 16 shows in 7 days, plenty of food and a ton of laughs - I am still smiling. The Cruise 'N Groove Elvis Meets the Legends Cruise was a fantastic week. I had never been on a cruise before so it was quite an experience, I loved the food and the weather was fantastic (only a bit of rockiness to contend with) and we visited Mare and Noumea in New Caledonia.  I am reasonably new to the Elvis world and so this was an eye opener for that as well but I actually loved it. Elvis fans are exceptionally passionate and in some ways quite a wonder.  I was on this trip as a backing vocalist with the Tributes in Concert Band or TIC Band and we backed all of the headlining Elvis Tribute Artists. So to the band first, what a privilege it was to perform with them. Each and everyone of them super talented (to the point, that I would get caught watching them at t

"There's a bright golden haze on the meadow....." Yes there is! Emma Knights Productions Oklahoma! on a Farm is BACK for its fourth season and opens this Thursday. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that this is a special production and the role of Laurey is one I love to play! This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Production of Oklahoma! and so it is wonderful to be performing it again in the same year. Although in rather milder weather! The Farm, Four Oaks at Littlehampton is beautifully green and bursting with life. The animals are in full voice as in the wonderful cast. Immerse yourself in this unique family-friendly experience, a beloved classic with live horses, windmill, and a country fair of delicious treats & wares. If the last 3 seasons feedback is anything to go by, you will LOVE IT!! If you have seen it before, you will know what I am talking about and you should tell others. Or come along again and bring some new fr

Well I am just going to get this post in for August! This month has just flown, lots has been happening. How about you? This week has brought on some fabulous weather and definitely the hope of Spring!! So the month of August has been filled with all different things and as always I am grateful for the different opportunities I get to experience. At the end of July, I finished that month with 2 fantastic concerts. Soul Factor's "Bless 'Em all - a Tribute to the Anzacs" Concert with the Australian Army Band Adelaide. What a fantastic afternoon that was, wonderful music and a full house, we all had a fabulous time. Was also lovely to sing with my Sisters! For a full photo album click here .  Then that same day I then went and sang at the Gov with the JD Lord Band, which was a great night of music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Then it was into August and I headed to Sydney for Mary Kay Seminar which was fantastic! Was great to get away for a couple of days and

Well its been a little while since I last posted! June seemed to fly by as I was busy finishing financial year as well! Actually its been an interesting time the last month for me. If you don't know, aside from being a Singer & Performer, I am a Mary Kay Sales Director. So I have been learning to juggle all the things I have going on in my life. May was a crazy month, I finished Side Show the Musical, did the Melodienacht concerts in Tanunda, rehearsals and did 50 facial/makeovers. It was a full on month and I was exhausted by the end, both mentally and physically. I knew that I had to recharge and change my thoughts and so I changed up my morning and evening routine, refocused on my goals and who I want to be. Its taking time to slow down a bit, spend time with God and control the thoughts. It really has helped and now I feel happier and less stressed and excited for this new Mary Kay year and the rest of the year. And now we are into the second half of the year, how are

I can not believe it is the 1st of June and that a week has already past since the first Melodienacht concert in Tanunda.  Last weekend I had the pleasure of being a guest artist at the Annual Melodienacht Concerts put on by Tanunda Town Band. For two nights up to 1100 people crowd into the Tanunda Show Hall (or "the tin shed"), they bring nibbles, drinks, coats and singing voices and enjoy a great night of music and entertainment. With over 40 players on stage, a guest rhythm section, featured guest artists, fantastic production sound and visual these are really fantastic nights. And as it has been going for over 50 years it seems that many people think so.  I have always loved singing on stage with a live brass band and the weekend was no different! Tanunda Town Band were playing exceptionally well and I got to sing some fabulous music. Opening with "Don't Rain on My Parade" and then I sang "Journey to the Past" from Anastasia, "Never Eno

On Saturday, another show finished and again I am left feeling very blessed and thankful for the opportunities that I get. The SA Premiere of "Side Show" the Musical with Hills Musical Company was another wonderful experience not only for those a part of it but loved but audiences as well. So many people told me how they were swept up in the story, they laughed, they cried and continued to think about it days after. And for that I am so grateful, because as an artist doing something that is new and a little different your...I'll say fear, is that no one else will understand what you are trying to share or achieve. The real life story of Daisy and Violet Hilton is one that is not particularly happy at times, life was difficult and in most cases "not their own" but they did make something wonderful out of it to and use their talents to brighten the lives of others, choosing to stay joined together because of their love for one another. Being a conjoine

Hello! I hope this post finds you well. We are into April now and I believe I have recovered from what was an extremely busy March. It is nice to be focusing on just one show and my everyday Mary Kay work. This Friday Night, April 20th Side Show the Musical opens at the Stirling Theatre and I am very excited to share it with an audience. "Side Show", if you've never heard of it before is a musical based on the real life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Trained in singing, dancing and other talents the girls were exhibited throughout Europe and then moved to America, touring the American side show, vaudeville and burlesque circuits throughout the 1920s & 30s. This musical highlights their discovery in a Side Show and then their rise to fame. I am playing Violet Hilton and have loved bringing to life a real life character alongside Fiona Delaine as Daisy. It has been a challenge in a way, as I am not used to being attached to someone for starters but

Wow so much has happened since my last post!! This time of year is always crazy but I feel like I haven't had a chance to sit down and write this until now! So since February, Adelaide (the beautiful city I live in) has been alive with festivals of many kinds. Hundreds of shows, thousands of tickets sold and many, many fun times. I myself was in 3 shows and add to that, work, students, and rehearsals for another musical it has been crazy but Fringe ended last night and so I have come out the other end alive 😅 On February 24th, Soul Factor performed their Fringe Show "A Gospel Shot". 2 performances, almost sold out crowds and many songs but wonderful shows with a fabulous bunch of people. The feedback was amazing and so many of our audience members wanted to chat and tell us the songs they enjoyed most. Also there were many who came that just saw it in the Fringe brochure and bought tickets, having not heard us before so it was lovely to see that they loved it. This w