Marlin Coast Vocal Academy is a new vocal academy located at the Northern beaches and run by Keesha Mclean. The purpose of launching an academy was to create a broader service to students such as mentoring and workshops, along with vocal coaching.

Keesha Mclean is a highly motivated vocal coach with 16 years of professional vocal coaching experience in London with a strong track record of inspiring, motivating and creating opportunities for vocalists of all ages and abilities to achieve their true potential and voice.

Originally from Geelong, Victoria, Keesha studied voice under Lynette Casey and Bettine McCaughan, and piano at the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne. Keesha travelled to London, Europe and New York, studying with acclaimed operatic vocal coaches and repetiteurs Margaret Lobo, Jeffrey Talbot, Phillip Doghan, Ludmilla Andrew and Stephen Rose to name a few.

After further studies and performances on the London opera scene, Keesha found her passion in vocal coaching – particularly in musical theatre repertoire, contemporary vocal music, mentoring and preparing for auditions.

She established a successful vocal studio in South London, coaching students all ages, levels and goals from musical theatre and opera to contemporary, jazz, pop, blues, folk and rock. Many of them gaining places at Prestigious London vocational performing arts, musical theatre and music institutions, and are now successfully working professionally in London’s West End, West End touring shows, or as professional vocalists in their genres.

I asked Keesha what prompted the move back from London to relocate in North QLD, to which she replied “My move back to Cairns was prompted by needing a break from the intensity of London and a new challenge. Jim and I had a holiday house in Port Douglas for 8 years and thought we would try The Northern Beaches of Cairns for a while. Europe wasn’t an option at present because of the economic climate.”

One of Keesha’s passions is new and innovative musical theatre – exploring interesting, contemporary music for students to learn. Another is creating opportunities for students to perform their craft in a professional environment.

I asked Keesha if her teaching extended to more extreme contemporary musical styles such as Death Metal. Keesha was quick to explain:- “I coach across all genres from Classical, Musical Theatre , Jazz, Pop, Contemporary, rock and yes to Death Metal. I use a mixture of classical and speech singing/ musical theatre techniques to give a broad, flexible, strong and healthy vocal range and work heavily on the body support and engagement with one’s voice. I have coached a few metal heads in bands in my time and have focussed a lot on body and breath support to support the strain they are putting on their vocal folds for this particular style of singing. It takes the pressure off vocal fatigue and eventually the possibility of damage to the vocal folds. There is a more engaged and open way of singing this style. My objective with this style is to keep the artists voice as healthy and supported as possible while they are putting excessive strain on their voice.”

For the past 10 years Keesha has also been working with young adults with learning disabilities in the performing arts.

Keesha is extremely passionate about her vocation and truly feels blessed to be vocal coaching as a career.

Keesha has worked extensively as a mentor for those who would like to take their vocal and musical talents further into a part time or full time professional career. This is something she is passionate about, being part of the student’s journey. Guiding them into working artists.

You don’t already have to already be a proffesional to benefit keesha explained “I take students from complete beginners, nervous students to those who wish to make it a profession, and also professionals. What I look for in a student regardless of experience or natural talent is passion, dedication and commitment to the learning process of discovering one’s voice.”

Many are now working professionally in bands, as vocalists, duo’s, session singers in the UK and now in Cairns.

You can contact Keesha on 0437 865555
or visit Marlin Coast Vocal Academy at www.mcva.com.au

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