User talk:Kyla Lingley

Kyla was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. She began her music journey with organ lessons at the age of six following in the footsteps of her mother.

At Saint John High School, she was always involved in the choir, but her love for singing was clearly demonstrated when she played one of the leading roles in the musical Grease. This prompted Kyla to take private voice lessons when she was sixteen.

Kyla continued her vocal studies at Cambrian Music College, Ontario under the guidance of Marion Harvey and received several vocal prizes. During her time there she won several awards, including the prestigious "Inco Search for Excellence Award". Her singing teacher was an avid opera lover and Kyla’s interest in that art form blossomed. She graduated in 1996 with Honours and made her professional debut with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra singing Norina’s Cavatina from Don Pasquale by Donizetti.

Kyla continued her vocal studies in Toronto with Henriette Asch and performed at her Opera Studio. She also participated in Masterclasses with Bernard Diamant and Jonathan Hinden. Apart from opera, Kyla loves musicals with Les Misérables and Grease among her favourites. In fact, she sees herself as a musical actress and is passionate about understanding the character of any role she undertakes. She believes that this is the only way that she can truly bring that character to life and in the process paint a believable story for the audience.

In 1999, Kyla relocated to London, England and now studies privately with Hilary Fisher and Neil Semer. Her roles include with Morley Opera: Heidi (Ten Belles Without a Ring Suppe) and Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier). Other roles include Musetta (La Bohème), Susanna (Marriage of Figaro), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Mrs Fiorentino (Street Scene) and Polly (The Beggar's Opera). Even though she considers Puccini to be her favourite composer, two roles from operas written by Menotti are dear to her because the challenge of bringing those characters to life gives her tremendous joy. The roles are Monica in The Medium and Lucy in The Telephone and these operas were written in 1946 and 1947 respectively.

Since then Kyla has concentrated on a mixture of classical music, opera and popular classical repertoire. Kyla has performed in many concerts throughout the UK, and The Middle East. Including Buxton Opera House, The Capitol Theatre Horsham, Chelmsford Civic Centre, Bob Hope Theatre London, and Bournemouth Pavillions. Wifi City Dubia. Kyla also performed at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in front of 75,000 people with Katherine Jenkins, which was shown live on BBC TV.

Kyla has been interviewed for many local radio stations and newspapers across the UK.

In 2007 Kyla released her album Never Stop Believing which is a mixture of opera, musical theatre and popular classics. Kyla has sold over 50,000 copies of this album in the UK.

In-between Kyla’s concert and events she is currently touring the UK giving free concerts in Shopping centres whilst raising money for charity. Kyla finds this inspirational to bring music to the people. As many people come to her after the performance to tell her how much they enjoyed it, as they don’t have the opportunity to attend the big shows.

In the last couple of years Kyla has raised over £23,000 for Breast Cancer Now, as well as many other charities. Kyla will continue her support for this charity throughout the year putting on free concerts in towns and cities and shopping centres in the UK.

Kyla has a very busy year ahead with upcoming concerts and promoting her newly released album called Living Your Dreams.