Katherine Jenkins

Infobox musical artist
Name = Katherine Jenkins

---

Background = Solo_Singer
Birth_name = Katherine Jenkins
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1980|6|29
Died =
Origin = Neath, Wales
Instruments = Singing
Genre = Crossover, classical
Occupation = Mezzo-soprano singer
Years_active = 1998-present
Label = Universal
Notable_albums = Serenade
Notable_songs = Time To Say Goodbye
Related_acts =
URL = [http://www.katherinejenkins.com katherinejenkins.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =

Katherine Jenkins (born 29 June 1980 in Neath, Wales " [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/halloffame/showbiz/katherinejenkins.shtml Katherine Jenkins] ". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May, 2007.] ) is an award-winning Welsh mezzo-soprano. Her first album "Premiere" made her the fastest-selling mezzo-soprano to date and she later became the first British classical artist to have two number one albums in the same year. " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4367434.stm Jenkins' festive show for troops] ". BBC News, 22 October 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2007.] She also stands as the first female artist to win two consecutive Classical BRIT Awards.

Jenkins has released four classical number one studio albums to date selling 4,000,000 copies, with a fifth album released on 19 November 2007. Her albums feature arias, popular songs, hymns and classical crossover music and she has performed in a large number of concerts around the United Kingdom and other countries, including the United States and Australia. Her next album, Sacred Arias, is due out on the 20th October, 2008.

Background

At Dŵr-y-Felin Comprehensive School in her home town of Neath Jenkins received A grades in both GCSEs and A Levels and participated in productions such as "Calamity Jane" and "Guys and Dolls". Two years after she had become a choirgirl at her church, she shattered a chandelier whilst singing "O Holy Night" at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall.Langley, William. " [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2004/06/15/bmjenk15.xml&sSheet=/arts/2004/06/15/ixmusicmain.html Not just a pretty voice] ". "The Daily Telegraph", 15 June 2004. Retrieved 5 September, 2007.] Jenkins' music talents continued to progress and she achieved Grade 8 distinctions in singing and piano.

Between 1990 and 1996 Jenkins was a member of the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers, where she achieved the St Cecilia Award, which was, and still is, the highest RSCM award for female choristers. Jenkins was also a member of the National Youth Choir of Wales for three years.Foley, Jack. " [http://www.indielondon.co.uk/music/mu_katherine_jenkins_albumprev.html Katherine Jenkins - more than just a Welsh pretty face] ". indielondon.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October, 2007.] She twice won the BBC Radio 2 Welsh Choirgirl of the Year contest, won the BET Welsh Choirgirl of the Year and was also awarded the Pelenna Valley Male Voice Choir Scholarship for the most promising young singer.

At the age of 17, she won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. At the Academy, she also studied Italian, German, French and Russian and graduated with honours. She finished the course with a degree a music teacher's diploma and then made some money as a freelance singing teacher and a model for hair and make-up.Sweeting, Adam. " [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/03/03/bmjenkins03.xml A treat for the dads and lads...] ". "The Daily Telegraph", 3 March 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2008.] After entering a modeling competition, Jenkins was made the Face of Wales in 2000 and then decided to focus more intently on her musical career. When Universal Classics & Jazz heard one of Jenkins' demo tapes, she was called to an interview, and she sang "Una voce poco fa" by Rossini. Universal then offered Jenkins a six-album deal just an hour later. This meant that at the age of just 23," [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/katherinejenkins/pages/biography.shtml Katherine Jenkins Biography] ". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October, 2007.] Jenkins had signed the largest record deal in United Kingdom classical recording history, reportedly worth £1 million.Bourton, Tom. " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4581953.stm The rise of Katherine Jenkins] ". BBC News, 25 May 2005. Retrieved 6 September, 2007.] Universal Classics' marketing director has since said, "She is an utter professional, a wonderful singer and has a team utterly committed to her."

Career

2003—2004: "Première" and "Second Nature"

Jenkins first came to public attention when she sang at Westminster Cathedral honouring Pope John Paul II's silver jubilee in October 2003 and then supporting singer Aled Jones on his tour. At the Rugby World Cup in 2003, she made her Sydney Opera House debut. In August 2004, she made her first US appearance supporting crossover soprano Hayley Westenra at Joe's Pub in New York City.

.

Jenkins was also the first person to perform the Home Nations anthem "The Power of Four". She then began to appear regularly as the singer for the Welsh national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau", at Welsh international rugby matches and sang with Bryn Terfel at the 2005 Wales-England Six Nations match at the Millennium Stadium. Jenkins is now the official mascot for the Wales rugby team. As well as her appearances before Rugby Union matches, in 2004, Jenkins sang at the Rugby League Powergen Challenge Cup final between St. Helens and Wigan.

2005—2006: "Living A Dream" and "Serenade"

On 22 January, 2005 Jenkins sang at Cardiff at the Tsunami Relief Concert in order to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. In April and May 2005, Jenkins supported Irish tenor Ronan Tynan on his first US tour as a solo artist. At the Berlin stage of Live 8 in 2005, Jenkins sang the hymn "Amazing Grace". [" [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g8/story/0,,1517311,00.html Live 8 concert line-ups] ". "The Guardian", 29 June 2005. Retrieved 6 September, 2007.] Her interpretation was partly a vocal solo; for the rest she was accompanied by a single softly played piano.

In May 2005, Jenkins sang at Trafalgar Square to 15,000-strong audience to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of VE Day, [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/04_april/05/ve.shtml A party to remember live from Trafalgar Square - VE Day 60th] ". bbc.co.uk, 5 April 2005. Retrieved October 17, 2007.] Jenkins, Katherine. " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=509308&in_page_id=1773 G.I. Jenkins: How the Welsh opera diva Katherine swapped designer dresses for desert camouflage] ". "The Daily Mail", 20 January 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2008.] and later helped to launch the Royal British Legion's poppy appeal at Covent Garden whilst wearing a dress made of 2,500 poppies. [Martin, Nicole. " [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/27/npoppy27.xml It's never too early to wear your poppy] ". "The Daily Telegraph", 27 October 2006. Retrieved 17 October, 2007.]

.] She now stands as the first female artist to win two consecutive Classical BRIT Awards.

Jenkins, with the Blue Man Group, sang "I Feel Love" in front of The Queen at the Royal Variety Performance on 21 November, 2005, whilst wearing a flashing, multicoloured dress. [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4454382.stm Tate asks if Queen is 'bovvered'] ". BBC News, 22 November 2005. Retrieved 28 December, 2006.] She also performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway on 11 December, 2005. [" [http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-11-29-moore-nobel-concert_x.htm Julianne Moore to co-host Nobel concert] ". usatoday.com, 29 November 2005. Retrieved 16 October, 2007.]

Her fourth studio album entitled "Serenade", released on 6 November, 2006, became number five in the mainstream charts and sold more than 50,000 copies in its first week. This ensured it was the biggest seller for a classical CD in Britain. On HMV's classical charts, the top four albums were all held by Jenkins. [Jeffries, Stuart. " [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2105203,00.html Why Katherine Jenkins is hogging the classical charts] ". "The Guardian", 18 June 2007. Retrieved 6 September, 2007.] Also in November, she performed live before The Queen at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and joined fellow Welsh singer James Fox in the final verse of "Anthem" from the musical "Chess". [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/remembrance/programmes/festivalofremem.shtml Festival of Remembrance] ". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October, 2007.] On 23 December, 2006 Jenkins appeared as a guest and performer on ITV's "Parkinson" show, where she sang the Welsh national anthem informally during her interview and a Christmas song backed by the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir and a brass band. [" [http://parkinson.tangozebra.com/guest_transcript.phtml?guest_id=172 Katherine Jenkins on Parkinson] ". parkinson.tangozebra.com. Retrieved 17 October, 2007.]

2007—present: "Rejoice"

At the start of 2007, Jenkins made her first appearance on the British young people's Sunday Times Rich List which ranked her as the sixty-second richest young person in Britain with an estimated wealth of £9 million. " [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/specials/rich_list/rich_list_search/?urllink=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/richlist/person/0,,48406,00.html Katherine Jenkins, Sunday Times richlist] ". "The Times". Retrieved 3 May, 2007.] As of the end of 2006, she is estimated to have sold about 2 million records since her debut in 2004.

She made a cameo appearance in two episodes of "Emmerdale" on 16 and 17 May 2007, which saw her opening the village pageant. [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6495573.stm Emmerdale cameo role for Jenkins] ". BBC News, 26 March 2007. Retrieved 3 May, 2007.] In July, Jenkins performed live on "Saving Planet Earth" on BBC One, to raise money for the BBC Wildlife Fund [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/05_may/11/saving_live.shtml Saving Planet Earth] ". bbc.co.uk, 11 May 2007. Retrieved 8 July, 2007.] and later that month a special concert starring Jenkins was held at Margam Park in south Wales. It was entitled "Katherine In The Park" and saw Jenkins perform alongside Paul Potts and Juan Diego Florez. [" [http://entertainment.aol.co.uk/talent-show-winner-in-opera-concert/article/20070708033709990001 Talent show winner in opera concert] ". AOL. Retrieved 9 July, 2007.] Jenkins extended a personal invitation to Potts to sing "Nessun Dorma" at the concert. [" [http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Culture&F=1&id=11787 Paul Potts comes home with Katherine Jenkins] ". 1 July 2007. newswales.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July, 2007.] On 12 August, 2007 Jenkins appeared on ITV's "Britain's Favourite View" where she nominated Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower peninsula to be voted as Britain's favourite view. [Pettie, Andrew. " [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/11/nview111.xml Britain asked: What's your favourite view?] ". "The Daily Telegraph", 14 August 2007. Retrieved 14 August, 2007.] She took cameras on a tour of the bay and commented on the great sentimental value the bay has to her: "I grew up on the edge of the Gower, but it was still a holiday place for our family. We’d go on weekend breaks to Three Cliffs Bay – six miles down the road! That’s how gorgeous it is." [Crump, Vincent. " [http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article2234280.ece Well, in my view Britain's best is...] ". "The Times", 12 August 2007. Retrieved 14 August, 2007.] In September Jenkins catwalk modeled at Naomi Campbell's Fashion Relief event for charity in a Julien MacDonald dress which was then bought by Sir Philip Green for £10,000. [" [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=483025&in_page_id=1773 Big Brother twins steal the show at star-studded Fashion Relief] ". "The Daily Mail", 22 September 2007. Retrieved 19 October, 2007.] On 21 October, 2007 she sang "Time to Say Goodbye" with Andrea Bocelli on the "Strictly Come Dancing" results show.

In November 2007, she again sang at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, and won classical performer of the year at the Variety Club Showbiz Awards. [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7101247.stm Variety prize for Keira Knightley] ". BBC News, 19 November 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2007.] Her fifth album, entitled "Rejoice", was released on 19 November 2007. The album contains a mix of classical and pop music in which some songs have been written specially for her.Jones, Hannah. " [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=i-8217-ve-got-a-story-to-tell-says-kath&method=full&objectid=19904997&siteid=50082-name_page.html I’ve got a story to tell, says Kath] ". "Western Mail", 6 October 2007. Retrieved 19 October, 2007.] Two of the songs are written by Take That's Gary Barlow. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/webguide/archives/music/index.shtml?details_of_katherine_jenkins_fifth_album_rejoice Details of Katherine Jenkins' fifth album Rejoice] ". bbc.co.uk, 9 October 2007. Retrieved 16 October, 2007.] The album entered the pop album charts at number three," [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7112226.stm Lewis holds on to chart top spots] ". BBC News, 25 November 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.] beating the Spice Girls and Girls Aloud.Price, Karen. " [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/2007/11/26/katherine-jenkins-beats-spice-girls-in-album-charts-91466-20160527/ Katherine Jenkins beats Spice Girls in album charts] ". "Western Mail", 26 November 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.] Jenkins commented "I never imagined when I was a young girl listening to them on the radio that I would outsell the Spice Girls and Celine Dion. It’s almost too much to take in. I can’t thank my fans enough for all their support."

She has also teamed up with Darcey Bussell, who organised to stage a song and dance production to pay tribute to the stars which have inspired themThorpe, Vanessa. " [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2068020,00.html See what they've been keeping under their hats] ". "The Guardian", 29 April 2007. Retrieved 30 May, 2007.] which include Madonna and Judy Garland. With a £1 million budget, the show was launched in Manchester in November and is entitled "Viva la Diva". [Hastings, Chris. " [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/29/ndivas29.xml Jenkins and Bussell as their favourite divas] ". "The Daily Telegraph", Retrieved 14 February 2008.] As part of the preparation for the show, Jenkins has learned to tap dance, spent eight hours a week in dance studios learning choreography, and running three miles a day to get fit. Jenkins and Bussell performed a segment of "Viva la Diva" before the Queen at the 79th Royal Variety Performance which was televised on 9 December 2007. [Leigh, Spencer. " [http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2007/12/04/theatre_royalvariety_review_feature.shtml Royal Variety Performance] ". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved December 10 2007.] On 15 December Jenkins performed on "The X Factor" final with contestant Rhydian Roberts, performing the song "You Raise Me Up". [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7140296.stm Kylie and Jason sing on X Factor] ". BBC News, 12 December 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2007.] She performed the Welsh National Anthem on 17 May 2008 at the 2008 FA Cup Final between Cardiff City and Portsmouth, becoming the first person to do this at an FA Cup Final. [Szczepanik, Nick and Kempson, Russell. " [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3949888.ece Cup Final fans are urged to show respect] ". "The Times", 17 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.]

Jenkins' autobiography, "Time to Say Hello", was released on 28 January 2008, and was also serialised in "The Mail on Sunday".Simpson, Rin. " [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/01/14/katherine-jenkins-says-she-ll-never-forget-attacker-91466-20345854/ Katherine Jenkins says she'll never forget attacker] ". "Western Mail", 14 January 2008. Retrieved February 12 2008.] Jenkins is also an ambassador for Montblanc pens and gifts. [" [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article608546.ece Jenkins becomes face of Montblanc] ". "The Times", 22 October 2006. Retrieved 14 February, 2008.] Being an ambassador for the company she is able to borrow their jewellery to wear to events, but in order to guard Jenkins and the expensive items, she is chaperoned by Montblanc bodyguards. [Nicholl, Katie. " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=452901&in_page_id=1773 A grand night out for Katherine Jenkins] ". "The Daily Mail", 5 May 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2008.] She wore £6 million worth of Montblanc diamonds to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008. [" [http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/3am/2008/02/13/katherine-jenkins-still-shaky-after-nearly-losing-6million-worth-of-montblanc-diamonds-89520-20317642/ Katherine Jenkins still shaky after nearly losing £6million worth of Montblanc diamonds] ". "The Daily Mirror", 13 February 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2008.]

Personal life

Jenkins has one sister. Her father, Selwyn Jenkins, died of cancer when she was a teenager, [Greenstreet, Rosanna. " [http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,1877532,00.html Q&A] ". "The Guardian", 23 September 2006. Retrieved 6 September, 2007.] and she has remarked on missing him in her album liner notes.

Whilst Jenkins was studying at the Royal Academy of Music, at 19 years of age, she was attacked and nearly raped by a man who followed her off a bus after she had enjoyed a night out with friends.Simpson, Richard. " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=487561&in_page_id=1773 Opera star Katherine Jenkins: The night I fought off a sex attacker] ". "The Daily Mail", 14 October 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2008.] When Jenkins was making the 2-minute walk to her London home, he sprang upon her and tried to drag her into an alley, but she managed to escape. He continued to pursue her and punched her to the ground, prompting Jenkins to curl up into a ball so that he was not able to rape her. After repeatedly kicking her, he eventually left with her wallet and has never been caught. "It was just awful. I was so shaken up. It took me a long time to get over it, and my mum was devastated. I genuinely believe I was very lucky," commented Jenkins. After Jenkins and Dame Vera Lynn were both seen centre stage together at the 60th Anniversary of VE Day in 2005 during the song "We'll Meet Again", the newspapers dubbed Jenkins "the new Forces' Sweetheart", a nickname given to Lynn during World War II. Lynn had said to Jenkins that she should "go out and entertain the troops" to which Jenkins promised. In December 2005 and 2006 Jenkins travelled to Iraq to sing to the soldiers for Christmas. [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4554780.stm Jenkins performs for Iraq troops] ". BBC News, 23 December 2005. Retrieved 24 December, 2006.] On her first visit to Iraq in 2005, when travelling to Shaibah, the largest British base in Southern Iraq, the helicopter she was travelling in was targeted by missiles. Anti-missile flares were deployed and the group landed safely.

Jenkins was in a relationship for four years with songwriter and former Worlds Apart boy band singer Steve Hart. However, they kept details of their relationship private, and were rarely seen in public together. Jenkins confirmed the couple had split in November 2006, so that she could concentrate on her career. [" [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006510391,00.html Singing star Kath's going solo] ". "The Sun", 6 November 2006. Retrieved 6 November, 2006.] She is currently dating Welsh television presenter Gethin Jones. [Rhys, Steffan. " [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/12/08/katherine-jenkins-and-gethin-jones-love-match-91466-20222204/ Katherine Jenkins and Gethin Jones dating] ". "Western Mail", 8 December 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.] Jenkins confirmed "Yes, it's pretty serious, but honestly I don't want to go into it very much. I like to keep my private life private and I don't want people to think that I'm trying to exploit the relationship. We are together because we like each other and not because we want any publicity from it."Johnson, Angella. " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=510560&in_page_id=1879 I want to get married and have children, says Katherine Jenkins as she tells of her romance with Blue Peter hunk Gethin] ". "The Daily Mail", 26 January 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008.]

Discography

ingles

*"Time To Say Goodbye" (2005)
*"Green Green Grass of Home" (2006) UK

Albums

Further reading

*"Time to Say Hello: The Autobiography", Orion (28 January 2008) (ISBN 0-7528-8838-2)

References

External links

* [http://www.katherinejenkins.com/ Katherine Jenkins Official Site]
*imdb name|id=1605049|name=Katherine Jenkins
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/katherinejenkins/ Katherine Jenkins at BBC Wales]
* [http://www.classicalx.com/Katherine_Jenkins.html Katherine Jenkins on Classicalx]