Camilla Kerslake is a classical crossover soprano who has toured with the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Russell Watson and Il Divo as well as performing in the west end musical Les Miserables. She has even sung the national anthem for the Queen and opened huge sporting events at Wembley Stadium.
She was the first artist to sign to Gary Barlow’s record label Future Records, releasing her debut album Camilla Kerslake in 2009. A Christian hymn from the album, ‘How Can I Keep From Singing?’, featured in a 2009 Waitrose Christmas advert. Impressive huh!
We had a quick Q and A with the ever so talented singer to find out a little bit more.
Q: When did you first find out you could sing and how did you pick your genre?
A: I actually never intended to sing classical or opera. I didn’t hear a lot of it growing up and my main influences were the pop divas (Whitney & Celine more specifically) and musicals like Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
Maybe this mixture informed how my voice developed because by the time I was in year 1 I was singing power ballads west end classics instead of nursery rhymes like my classmates.
Luckily for me my school music teacher noticed my talent at around 14 and I’ve been pursuing a career in music ever since.
Q: What moments have been the highlights of your career so far?
A: There have been so many I really do feel blessed when I look back over the last 10 years. Singing for the Queen is always pretty surreal and I know it’s my mum’s favourite thing to tell her friends about! I also really enjoy singing for major sporting events at the big stadiums. There’s really nothing like leading 90,000 football fans singing Abide With Me.
Q: If you could pick anyone to collaborate with who would it be?
A: Touring with Andrea Bocelli was pretty special. I’d love to work with him again. Or maybe something completely different like Faithless or Massive Attack. That would be epic.
Q: Your Instagram shows us an insight into your life and your incredible fashion, including some stunning ball gowns worn to the most prestigious events. Who has been your favourite designer so far?
A: Wearing ball gowns as a work uniform is one of the best parts of my job! I feel like a princess so much of the time!
I’m currently collaborating a lot with a British couture designer called Lee Paton. He really understands how to make women feel their most beautiful, using only the best sustainable materials and everything is handmade by his staff in London. I never have to worry when he dresses me. I know the gown will fit like a dream and make me feel super comfortable and special.
Q:
At House Of Influence we run a project called ‘The good influence project’, do you support any charities or are there any charities that mean a lot to you that you would like to tell us about?
A:
I’m a big supporter of a charity called Future Dreams which raises money for all aspects of breast cancer care. From buying top of the range equipment and funding research to supporting women and their families through the gruelling process of treatment.
None of their tireless staff are salaried, so every penny they make goes straight to the cause
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