Vanessa Kelly
Vocal health, industry mentoring
Vanessa has worked extensively as a performer and creator of music and events throughout New Zealand and abroad over the past 25 years. After living away from Auckland for the past 15 years, she has recently returned to her roots.
Some of her career highlights include three number one hits with Deep Obsession (the first NZ band to be signed with Universal Records), a NZ Tui Music Award and a NZ Ruby Award (NZ Recorded Music) for their contribution to NZ Music history. She's performed private parties for Robbie Williams and Sam Neil, sung with Beaver, opened for international artists such as Macy Gray and Boney M, and performed with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Tate Modern opening. She's sung with Vocal Motions Elastic Theatre under director Jacek Ludwig, with London Metropolitan University, and worked with international producers Max Martin and Brian Rawlings. She continues to perform and create as a vocalist, writer and producer in jazz, blues and original composition.
In 2013, Vanessa was invited to teach at Otago University as their contemporary vocal tutor for the Rock/Contemporary degree, under Dr Graeme Downes, Dr Rob Burns and Dr Ian Chapman. This followed on from her writing an article for Chapman's book Kiwi Rock Chicks, Pop Stars and Trailblazers (collating the experiences of local female professional musicians), which triggered Vanessa's personal passion for vocal health and the development of artists beginning their careers or wanting to expand their understanding of healthy vocal practices.
Vanessa commenced her studies with Dr Irene Bartlett (Griffith University) and Dr Ingo Titze (National Centre of Voice and Speech, University of Utah) at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Queensland. She continued her studies with New York Vocal Coaching, under the tutelage of Justin Stoney, to develop more understanding of vocal science and the true ability of the voice.
Vanessa continues to teach and mentor many new and up-coming artists under her teaching and production business Vocal Mechanics, developing artists as they move forward in their careers in the performing arts, developing healthy practices to last a lifetime.
+ What I can teach you?
I teach vocal health and provide industry mentoring to all levels (from newcomers to professional touring and recording musicians), working within your genre of music, whether original or covers. I offer both one-on-one lessons and group workshops, either in person or online.
+ My teaching style
I apply a very hands-on approach to vocal coaching, with a strong understanding of the physical mechanics of the body and how to connect the breath, release tension, and understand voice placement for effective resonation. I use fun and challenging exercises, physically and vocally, to build resilience and elasticity of the voice.
It's a journey of self discovery and self acceptance in a safe and fun environment, allowing the student to explore the voice without negative judgement of self but, rather, with openness and inquisitiveness, ultimately freeing the voice and unfurling the student.
+ My first significant musical moment
As a child, our home was filled with music from many genres: classical, jazz, soul, blues, pop, musical theatre, gospel, classic rock...
Music had a way of emotionally connecting me, of making me feel things that I often found difficult to articulate with words. It became the landscape of my childhood and my refuge as I grew through life. The joy of singing would transport me to places that made all things possible.
I remember, as young as three years old, listening to vocalists singing with such passion and emotion and being so moved. From that moment, I wanted my life to resonate in the same way. Music is a great motivator, healer and endless giver of inspiration.
+ Most enduring influence
My most enduring memory was an influential teacher at high school, Lynn John. A Welshman, with the most amazing connection to music – particularly voice. When he sang, he sung with such truth and passion. It had such a powerful effect on me. He had the ability to bring the best out in people. He saw what others couldn’t. I had the privilege of singing in the gospel choir and a beautiful a cappella quartet with three other young women, who became a sisterhood to me. We learnt and grew so much together. They remain some of the most dearest people in my life today. This taught me the value of harmonies, to feel music, the beauty of blending and creating a united sound. I still get chills just thinking of our times performing at the Auckland Town Hall, Aotea Centre, Michael Fowler Centre... To have a teacher make such an impact aligned my musical trajectory for life.
+ Most thrilling gig I've played
Singing with the London Symphony Orchestra for the opening of the Tate Modern, with New York composer Alvin Curren, was an unforgettable performance that will be an enduring memory. I was one of multiple vocalists singing from the Millennium bridge. The brass section was placed out the front of the Tate Modern and the string section and pianist were floating on a barge in the middle of the River Thames. The sound created was utterly incredible, timed perfectly to coincide with the bells of St Pauls! London literally stopped for 15-20 minutes to take in the cacophony of sound and the passersby became part of the creation, just by going about their usual daily routines. It was quite spectacular and a privilege to have been a part of.
+ Who I’d most like to jam with
So many... such a variety... but let’s start with Peter Gabriel, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, David Bowie, Robert Plant, Fiona Apple, Jeff Buckley, Massive Attack, Tori Amos... how many are we allowed? Currently, with many departed, it would sound like a pretty ethereal jam session with heavenly creatures!
Testimonials
“Vanessa is an incredibly supportive teacher, providing a methodical, structured approach to developing voice and vocal health. Her holistic approach and the focus on the physiology of singing is a fantastic learning pathway for both beginners as well as experienced vocalists alike. Vanessa’s personable style also builds rapport and confidence very quickly, and I was pleasantly surprised at the speed of my progress under her tutelage. I would thoroughly recommend Vanessa to vocalists everywhere.” > Mark Roach, Auckland UNESCO City of Music - Tāmaki Makaurau UNESCO Pā Puoro, Aotearoa Music Awards, NZ Music Hall of Fame - Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa
"I have known Vanessa for four years, and been aware of her outstanding work in the NZ music industry for significantly longer than this. In my role as convener of the contemporary performance degree major within the Bachelor of Music degree at Otago University, I sought Vanessa out in order to provide for my students tuition from an inspiring teacher, proven and successful performer, and excellent mentor. And that’s exactly what Vanessa provided during the time she worked for us. In short, I simply could not recommend her more highly." > Dr Ian Chapman, Convenor of Contemporary Performance, Otago University
"I have known Vanessa Kelly for the last 9 years in both a personal and professional basis. She has always struck me as an intelligent, talented, capable woman with an enthusiastic and energetic approach to everything she chooses to do. She is kind and generous with her time and talent and has the special ability to light up a room with her presence. I have had the privilege of rehearsing, playing, and performing with Vanessa and she is a fantastic musician who can cover a wide range of styles and compositions. My two teenage daughters have both been lucky enough to have Vanessa as their singing teacher which has given me a good chance to observe her gentle, motivating teaching style which has left a lasting impression on both of them. She is well loved and respected by those who know her here in Oamaru, as well those involved in music, teaching, and performance in Dunedin and Christchurch. She has impressed me with a strong sense of community and I have worked with her on numerous events, fundraisers, and performances which she has always given her time and talent to help others out. I would commend Vanessa to anyone and I feel privileged to have spent time with here over the years." > Steve Harrop, Sublime Studios, Kurow, Otago
"Vanessa is a great teacher! She is professional, knowledgeable and supportive. With Vanessa’s coaching techniques and encouragement I have increased my vocal strength and range, have developed my own unique sound and performance style, and perform with confidence! I would highly recommend her to friends and colleagues." > Dee May, from Dee May and The Saints, Otago