Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

June 29, 1980 in Neath, West Glamorga, Wales

Genre

:

Crossover

 

 

Opera

 

Katherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano classical music artist who has captivated audiences around the world with her stunning voice and captivating performances. Born on June 29, 1980, in Neath, Wales, Jenkins grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her parents, Selwyn and Susan Jenkins, were both amateur singers, and they encouraged their daughter's love of music from an early age. Jenkins attended the Alderman Davies Church in Wales Primary School and later the Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School in Neath. She began taking singing lessons at the age of seven and joined the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers at the age of ten. She also sang in the school choir and participated in local music festivals. In 1990, Jenkins won the BBC Radio 2 Welsh Choirgirl of the Year competition, which led to her performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. She continued to win numerous awards and competitions throughout her teenage years, including the BBC Radio 2 Welsh Choirgirl of the Year competition for a second time in 1993. After completing her A-levels, Jenkins attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, where she studied under the renowned mezzo-soprano, Ingrid Surgenor. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2001 and went on to study at the National Opera Studio in London. Jenkins' professional career began in 2003 when she signed a record deal with Universal Classics and Jazz. Her debut album, "Premiere," was released in 2004 and reached number one on the UK classical charts. The album featured a mix of classical and popular songs, including "Time to Say Goodbye" and "The Ash Grove." Jenkins' second album, "Second Nature," was released in 2004 and also reached number one on the UK classical charts. The album featured a mix of classical and popular songs, including "Hallelujah" and "I Vow to Thee, My Country." Jenkins' third album, "Living a Dream," was released in 2005 and featured a mix of classical and popular songs, including "Nella Fantasia" and "The Prayer." The album reached number four on the UK album charts and was certified gold. Jenkins' fourth album, "Serenade," was released in 2006 and featured a mix of classical and popular songs, including "O Sole Mio" and "Be Still My Soul." The album reached number five on the UK album charts and was certified gold. In 2007, Jenkins performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in London, which was held to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. She performed "Time to Say Goodbye" and "I Will Always Love You" in front of a global audience of over 500 million people. Jenkins' fifth album, "Rejoice," was released in 2007 and featured a mix of classical and popular songs, including "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night." The album reached number three on the UK album charts and was certified gold. Jenkins' sixth album, "Sacred Arias," was released in 2008 and featured a mix of classical and religious songs, including "Ave Maria" and "Panis Angelicus." The album reached number two on the UK album charts and was certified platinum. Jenkins' seventh album, "Believe," was released in 2009 and featured a mix of classical and popular songs, including "Bring Me to Life" and "Who Wants to Live Forever." The album reached number six on the UK album charts and was certified gold. In 2010, Jenkins performed at the Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

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