The Singing Academy

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Leading Lady from Phantom of the Opera and International Principle Concert Artist.

Leading Lady from London's West End, Katrina Murphy is the Principal Singing Teacher and Vocal Coach teaching both Private and Group Singing lessons

About Katrina:

Katrina was brought up in a very musical family. As an only child, she was initially taught how to use her Singing voice by her Mother, Mary Murphy, who had been a successful singer working solidly in West End show's for 10 years with the likes of Ginger Rogers and Tommy Steele. She was also excepted to sing with The Royal Opera Company .

Katrina started studying from the age of 6 after being offered her first solo at school. She made her first professional recording at the age of 10 and started working for the English National Opera from the age of 14. She also studied at the age 13 at one of the best full time theatre schools in London-Arts Educational (where Julie Andrews and Jane Seymour went ).

At 16, Katrina got a role in a Musical at the respected Chichester Festival-her first Adult contract. She then won the top scholarship to study at The London Studio Centre and then on to study Opera at The Royal College of Music.

Katrina played the role of Carrie in Carousel in London's West End at the age of 22, having understudied and played it prior at The Royal National Theatre . She then went onto work as a Principal artist at the BBC , playing Eliza in My Fair Lady alongside Ron Moody & Tom Conti, Marsinah in Kismet alongside Jillian Maguiness and Anne in A Little Night Music alongside Betty Buckley.

She then became a Leading International concert artist with West End International, performing in huge concert halls and stadiums with amazing orchestras all over the UK, Scandinavia &  Malaysia.

She played the lead role of Dianne in Orpheus in the Underworld for Opera North and the Queen of the Night for Travelling Opera.

She then went onto play the leading role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh in the West End and UK Tour.

In between all this-Katrina was a busy recording artist working at the Abbey Road Studios made world famous by 'The Beatles'. Put Katrina Murphy into itunes and see what pops up!

Katrina started her own entertainment company with her Husband 10 years ago called Soprano Bella and Singers in Disguise, providing leading West End, Broadway and Opera singers for Large and Prestigious Events. Katrina and Soprano Bella has performed all over the world including all over the UK, New York, Miami, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, San Diego, Las Vegas, Russia, Budapest, Italy and Portugal.

She still performs with them, writes the acts, auditions and rehearses the singers.

Singing with Katrina by Katrina:

“Although, vocally I love singing Classical Musical Theatre and Opera the best as I am a 'Legitimate Soprano' , I was always taught to use my voice as an instrument, capable of singing in all styles. I have to sing everything from Opera to Abba, Contemporary Musical Theatre, Pop all the way through to Jazz and Swing. As a professional singer,the more styles you can sing in, the more engagements you can get and the more money you can earn from your voice.

But you have to cross these styles safely so as not to damage the delicate and precious voice, especially as it develops. There is no point being able to “belt” out 'Defying Gravity' if 2 months along the line you have got the start of 'Nodgels' on the vocal chords. You must learn to cherish your singing voice, be daring...but safe.

When I was 10, I was singing all the Annie music but by the time I was 14, I was singing the famous Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart's Magic Flute ( listen to this amazing aria it if you don't of know it ). I was told that I shouldn't be singing so hard a song at the age of 14 as it may damage my voice. 30 years later-I can still sing it.

In my singing classes, you will learn to sing safely whatever your favourite style is. I will teach you the importance of supporting your voice properly with the breath and the body ( my tummy has stayed very toned with the help of singing! ) and coach you on the style of your song of choice. We will do singing exercises to strengthen the breath to enable you to sing longer phrases in one breath and also to warm the voice up safely before launching into song. You wouldn't jump into the splits before warming up first? Well its the same for singing.

After a period of working with me and when improvements can be heard- we will give you the chance to record your song or songs in a recording studio so you can hear for yourself how good you will be sounding!

You will also be given the opportunity to take part in Singing Exams where you can achieve grades which can be put to good use when applying for certain schools and colleges. These also encourage you to sing songs that you may never have thought of in styles you may not have thought of.

I will also be working alongside professional agents and managers who know me from my own professional career and if I think an individual is suitable, I will suggest them to these agents for them to go on their books and be put forward for auditions for professional productions.

We will also perform our work in concerts, welcoming our family and friends so you can begin to get used to singing in public and getting over any nerves. I would have prepared you on how the voice can be altered by nerves and how you will learn to cope with it. The more you get to perform, the more you get used to it and there is no better feeling in the world!

As a current active performer-I will try to install confidence in you to sing loud and proud and not to care what anyone else might think around you.

I have loved to sing since I was 6 years old. I still love it more than anything else I do at 44 years old! I hope I will inspire you to feel the same.”