As Derry~Londonderry progresses with the bid to become UK City of Culture 2013, talented local soprano Margaret Keys has given her support to the campaign.
Margaret took time out of her busy schedule to return home for a number of festive performances over Christmas time and she got involved with the bid while she was here.
Margaret has recently completed a tour of New Zealand, signed a record deal with Universal records and has released her debut album "Legato", which debuted at number 14 in the charts. She has also just recorded and performed on the PBS American TV Special with “The Priests”, which will be aired in the USA in March 2010.
Speaking about the city’s ambitious plans for UK City of Culture 2013, she said, “It’s really important for the city to follow its passion and belief in achieving UK City of Culture. You need to have the courage to follow your ambition as the city has such a wealth of creative and entrepreneurial talent to be proud of. I hope everyone supports this initiative with innovative dreams and ideas”.
Margaret’s achievements to date are outstanding, and she is certainly one of the city’s leading cultural success stories. At the age of 15 she was winner of the Trinity College of Music London Medal for the best overall performer in music examinations. Since graduating with a First Class Honours and a Masters in Vocal performance from the Royal Scottish Academy Of Music and Drama, Margaret has sung extensively throughout Ireland, UK and America.
Margaret, who is also a qualified teacher, has won numerous awards including the “International Artists Profile Award,” “The New York Artist award” was chosen as one of 8 finalists in the “RTE young Diva of the year” and was winner of the “The BBC Fame Academy Bursary.” As winner of the “BBC Fame Academy Bursary” and “The New York Artist Award” she had the opportunity to work and train alongside the Broadway stars, directors and producers of several Broadway productions. She also trained with the Opera New York Company, which is chaired by Placido Domingo. That same year Margaret was the winner of RTE Radio 1 “Search for a Musical Star” and was chosen to play the role of Carrie in the RTE Production of “Carousel.”
She has performed on live broadcasts for RTE and BBC and has taken part in BBC programmes and workshops alongside top West End professionals. She worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, BBC New Talent and as a soloist with The Celtic Tenors, The RTE Concert Orchestra and Chorus and as a support artist to the Grammy award winning "Nordyls" ensemble and Phil Coulter. Margaret continued to work as a soprano soloist with RTE Concert Orchestra and chorus and made her debut as the lead soloist in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
She has performed internationally in New York, San Francisco and New Zealand. In February this year she performed at the prestigious “Rotorua Lakeside Concert” to an audience of 35,000. As a result of her successful international performances Margaret was asked to be the feature story as a new and exciting talent, and to model designer dresses and fashion for New Zealand’s top selling magazine “Simply You Living.” Margaret was invited to perform as the soloist for the Pope’s Papal Legate and envoy Cardinal O’Brien in June this year as part of the Long Tower Centenary celebrations in Derry.
Mayor Cllr Paul Fleming listened to Margaret’s performance as part of the city’s seasonal event programme and said, “So many people in the city have travelled internationally and are looking for opportunities to share their experience with a home audience. The city of culture designation will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase new and existing talent”.
Members of the public can now register their support by visiting www.cityofculture2013.com
ENDS