Twelve-Year-Old Kiwi Soprano Launches Debut Album, is set for International Recognition

Jan. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- A young soprano is poised to become a new name in New Zealand music with the release of her debut album Songbird (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-waltz/id580446703?i=580446706&ign-mpt=uo%3D4) in December. Twelve-year-old Tayla Alexander’s (https://www.facebook.com/Taylasmusic?fref=ts) talent has already earned her a deal with music man Roger Marbeck’s Ode Records and is garnering attention through social media and radio as far afield as the United States.

‘Songbird’ is also Tayla’s nickname, given to her by a primary school teacher and mentor. Tayla’s ambitions are simple – she says she’s happy just to be singing – and while it might come as a surprise, her peers are keen on her music too. “It’s not opera or serious classical music – the songs I like best are ones that a lot of people know.”

Tayla has been singing since she was four and her love of music means her tastes are all-embracing: Songbird’s 13 tunes include Maori lullaby Hine e Hine as well as Over the Rainbow and Amazing Grace. She idolizes Hayley Westenra and Charlotte Church and dreams of doing a duet with Josh Groban.

Recently, Tayla successfully auditioned for the iconic Christmas musical extravaganza, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, impressing the producers with the strength and purity of her voice. Tayla performed Pie Jesu from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem in front of an estimated 200,000-strong crowd at the Auckland Domain and has been selected to open the New Zealander of the Year Awards in February 2013.  

Mr Marbeck believes Songbird will lead to international opportunities for a singer he describes as focused and disciplined. “I have never before heard a talent as young as Tayla with crystal-clear highs as she possesses . . . incredible! Tayla is a fresh, young voice in New Zealand music and could go in the direction of classical music and opera if she wished, but at the moment she is enjoying performing within the classical crossover genre, which has a similarly enthusiastic and discerning audience.”

The first record company established in New Zealand, Ode Records is known for nurturing New Zealand musicians, and Mr Marbeck says Kiwi talent can and should be recognized at any age. Having sold the record store his grandfather established in the 1930s, in 2008 Mr Marbeck bought Ode, which imports and distributes some of the world’s finest classical music.

Songbird was recorded by famed musician, producer and arranger Bruce Lynch, who has worked with talents including Cat Stevens, Kiri te Kanawa and Kate Bush, and won two New Zealand Music Awards for his record production.

Tayla attends Northcross Intermediate School on Auckland’s North Shore, and studies with leading Auckland-based singing teacher Shelagh Richardson, whom she credits with preparing her for her album debut. Ms Richardson has fostered well-known talent, including Alexander Wilson, a finalist in the 2012 Lexus Song Quest.

Tayla supports the SPCA and a percentage from each album sale will go to the charity.

Songbird is available from Marbecks, JB HiFi and The Warehouse, and online through iTunes.

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Songbird track list:

Dark Waltz
Jerusalem
Amazing Grace
Songbird
Over the Rainbow
Danny Boy
O Holy Night
When A Child is Born
Ave Maria
Let It Be
Pie Jesu
Hine e Hine
Danny Boy (a cappella)

Recorded at the Boatshed

Producer: Bruce Lynch

Backing Vocals: Suzanne Lynch and James Gaylyn

Guitar: Dean Kerr