From primary school teacher to international star

From primary school teacher to international star
SPECTACULAR CONCERT
FROM RECORD GIANT’S
HOT NEW SIGNING
Irish singing sensation celebrates NZ triumph
* Also featuring TVNZ Good Morning's FIND A STAR winner Anthony Utama
* Guitar king Gray Bartlett and Variety Artist award winner Chris Powley
* 30-member choir + some of Auckland's brightest young talent

Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland.
July 31, 7.30pm, Tickets: Ticketmaster or in person from the BMC Box Office

http://www.myspace.com/margaretkeys

UNIVERSAL Record’s hottest new international star MARGARET KEYS will celebrate her triumphant return to New Zealand with a spectacular concert at the Bruce Mason Centre on July 31.

Margaret – a former school teacher from Derry in Northern Ireland – will sing songs from her fabulous debut album recorded in Auckland earlier this year. She was snapped up by the record giant as the new big thing on the classical stage.

She will perform classical and sacred arias such as Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria as well as light opera and musical theatre songs including My fair Lady’s “I could have danced all night” and "You'll never walk alone" from Carousel. A highlight on this very special concert will be her performance with seven stellar students from Kristin School, recreating The Sound of Music.

She will also sing the beautiful Irish classics including Isle of Inisfree, Irish medleys, Tears in Heaven, I Knew I loved you and Danny Boy for which she’ll be joined on stage by a 30-strong choir from the performing arts school, Corelli.
"Margaret Keys has a voice of pure beauty and warmth that only true talent can express,”
George Ash, Managing Director Universal Music Australia

The BRUCE MASON CENTRE concert follows her recent performance at the National Concert Hall in Dublin that left critics raving and prompted the signing by the record label that represents Bon Jovi and U2.

Variety Artist award winner Chris Powley who has performed alongside the likes of Diamond Lil', Sir Howard Morrison and John Rowles and has toured extensively throughout the world showcasing his talents. Industry veteran Gray Bartlett will also be performing on the night, paying tribute to his newest singing sensation.

* As a very special treat for concert-goers, TVNZ Good Morning's Find A Star winner Anthony Utama will perform the song that saw him claim victory in the competition, Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. Anthony -- a regular in Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park -- caught the eye of critics playing Troy in High School Musical during the National Youth Theatre Company's 2007 season at The Civic theatre. He then battled his way to victory on the nationwide television talent competition on Good Morning. * As a very special treat for concert-goers, TVNZ Good Morning's Find A Star winner Anthony Utama will perform the song that saw him claim victory in the competition, Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. Anthony -- a regular in Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park -- caught the eye of critics playing Troy in High School Musical during the National Youth Theatre Company's 2007 season at The Civic theatre. He then battled his way to victory on the nationwide television talent competition on Good Morning. * As a very special treat for concert-goers, TVNZ Good Morning's Find A Star winner Anthony Utama will perform the song that saw him claim victory in the competition, Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. Anthony -- a regular in Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park -- caught the eye of critics playing Troy in High School Musical during the National Youth Theatre Company's 2007 season at The Civic theatre. He then battled his way to victory on the nationwide television talent competition on Good Morning. http://tvnz.co.nz/good-morning/s2009-e120609-anthony-video-2781606

Record industry heavyweights from around the world will fly in for this spectacular night of entertainment.

Tickets are on sale NOW at TICKETMASTER.
In person from the BMC Box Office.
Bruce Mason Centre
Cnr Hurstmere Rd & The Promenade
Takapuna Beach
(09) 970 97000.

Online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz.
Performances: 7.30pm
Tickets: $59.95

ABOUT MARGARET KEYS
http://www.myspace.com/margaretkeys

The Irish beauty, whose students encouraged her to enter a BBC talent quest that would change her life forever, has just completed recording her debut album in studios near Auckland, New Zealand. Universal was quick to snap her up as one of the brightest new stars on the international horizon.

The deal was brokered by record industry stalwart MORRIE SMITH of Rajon Records in association with manager to the stars GRAY BARTLETT. The deal rivals that secured for HAYLEY WESTENRA and represents the first collaboration between Bartlett and Universal Music managing director George Ash since the popera artist was launched to international stardom eight years ago.

"Every once in a while an artist truly makes you feel humbled. Margaret Keys is one of these artists; she has a voice of pure beauty and warmth that only true talent can express. New Zealand music legends Gray Bartlett and Morrie Smith discovered Margaret and I am thrilled to be working with them to ensure the world falls in love with Margaret Keys." George Ash, Managing Director Universal Music Australia.

Bartlett -- who has also represented stars including Annabel Fay, Will Martin and Elizabeth Marvelly who's soon to return to Europe to tour again with UK's GOT TALENT phenomenon PAUL POTTS -- says Margaret's deal is momentous for both he and George. "George was my person of choice to take the young Hayley Westenra to back in 2001. His efforts speak for themselves.

"This is our first collaboration since then, and it had to be with an artist of absolute World Class.....Margaret Keys."

Two years ago, Margaret had worked as a primary school music teacher in Northern Ireland until she entered the BBC talent show to play the role of Maria in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s production of “The Sound of Music” in the West End. Out of 6,000 hopefuls she made it down to the final cut. She was the winner of the “BBC Fame Academy Bursary” and The New York Artist Award. This gave her the opportunity to work and train alongside the Broadway stars, directors and producers of Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and many of the Broadway productions. She also trained with Judith Fredricks form 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.”

Following these opportunities Margaret decided to take a career break from her teaching post to concentrate on her music career.

Margaret has sung extensively throughout Ireland, UK and America. She has won numerous awards including the “International Artists Profile Award,” “The New York Artist award” “The BBC Fame Academy Bursary” and was chosen as one of 8 finalists in the “RTE young Diva of the year.”

Margaret has performed frequently on live broadcasts for RTE and BBC and has taken part in BBC programmes and workshops alongside top West End professionals. She has recently worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, BBC New Talent and as a support artist with Phil Coulter, The Celtic Tenors, The RTE Concert Orchestra and Chorus and as a support artist to the Grammy award winning "Nordyls" ensemble. 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 in September last year.

As well as concert, radio and television performances Margaret is a frequent performer in musical theatre, Light opera and on the opera stage. She has played the leading role of Eliza in "My Fair Lady" in the Millennium Forum Theatre Ireland.

Margaret 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.

ENDS

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