Tayla Alexander

Tayla Alexander
Alexander in 2015

Birth name Tayla Alexander
Born (2000-12-30) 30 December 2000
Durban, South Africa
Genres Classical, Opera, Folk music
Instruments Soprano vocals, piano
Years active 2012–present
Labels Independent

Tayla Alexander (born 30 December 2000) is a New Zealand soprano.[1] Tayla's debut album Songbird charted in the top 10 on both the Independent Music New Zealand Album charts (IMNZ), and the New Zealand Music Charts, making her the youngest artist to appear on the New Zealand music charts.[2][3][4]

Covering both classical and easy listening genres, Tayla has performed songs in English, Italian and Maori.

Tayla has performed for dignitaries around New Zealand, including Dame Malvina Major, Prime Minister John Key and Sir Peter Leitch.

Early life

Tayla was born in South Africa but moved to Auckland, New Zealand at six months old, when her family emigrated.[5] Her parents, Dwayne and Kate Alexander, have another daughter, born in 1993.

Tayla began singing at the age of four. She has been a regular competitor in Auckland-based singing contests The North Shore Performing Arts Competition and Opera Idol. She currently takes singing lessons in Auckland.[2]

Tayla also plays the piano.

She currently attends school on Auckland's North Shore.[2]

Career

At the age of 11, an impromptu performance of Pie Jesu in a local record store put her in touch with Roger Marbeck.[6][6] Marbeck, owner of record label Ode Records, then later recorded Alexander's debut album Songbird at Boatshed recording studios in Auckland.

Songbird was produced by Bruce Lynch, who has worked with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. Songbird was released in the New Zealand market in November 2012.

In November 2012, around the time of the album's release, Tayla performed two songs from the album, "Hine e Hine" and "A Child Is Born", on TVNZ's Good Morning breakfast program.[7]

Tayla was selected to sing at the 19th annual Christmas in the Park at the Auckland Domain in Auckland, New Zealand in December 2012. She sang "Pie Jesu" to a crowd of more than 200,000.[8] Highlights were broadcast on TV 3.[9]

In February 2013, for the second year in a row, Tayla sang at the 2013 New Zealander of the Year Awards.[3]

In April 2013, Tayla was given the opportunity to perform in front of Dame Malvina Major at a masterclass workshop in Hamilton. Tayla has since received regular one-on-one tutelage.

The same month, TVNZ's after-school programme The Erin Simpson Show invited Tayla to perform. She was interviewed for the segment, and sang You Raise Me Up.[6]

As part of a New Zealand Music Month series, TVNZ's current affairs program Seven Sharp filmed a feature story on Tayla which aired nationally in May 2013.[10]

In September 2013, Tayla was approached by Disney Channel Australia New Zealand to film a feature for the network's This Is Who I Am segment. Filming took place at Tayla's family home and at Takapuna's Bruce Mason Centre.[11]

To promote the release of her two new singles, TVNZ's Good Morning invited Tayla to perform Maori love song "Pokerekere Ana" on the show in November 2013.[12]

Reception

Roger Marbeck says, "Tayla has already achieved more than a lot twice her age would dream of. She has a steady fan base, sales increasing daily and she is still only 12 years old . . . talk about a rising star!"[8]

Dame Malvina Major has said Tayla is a promising talent who, with her strong determination, could have a strong career in opera.[5]

Discography

Studio albums

Album Album details Charts Certifications
(sales thresholds)
IMNZ[13]
Songbird
  • Released: November 2012
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
 10 –

Studio singles

  1. Hallelujah
  2. You Needed Me

Television appearances

References

  1. ↑ Russell, Rachael (January 2013). "Ones to Watch". Next (Auckalnd).
  2. 1 2 3 "Twelve-Year-Old Auckland Singer Youngest NZer on Kiwi Charts". Scoop. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 Hallahan, Marnie (29 January 2013). "Songbird creates record". North Shore Times. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Top 20 New Zealand Albums Chart". The Official NZ Music Charts. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  5. 1 2 Harwood, Sascha (21 July 2013). "Captivating voice likely to rule stage". Sunday Star Times (Auckland).
  6. 1 2 3 "Hitting the High Notes". Creme Magazine. August 2013.
  7. ↑ "Tayla Alexander first LIVE TV Performance and Interview". YouTube. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Record breaking NZ songbird". Voxy. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  9. ↑ Fuseworks Media (14 November 2013). "Line-up announced for Auckland's Christmas in the Park". Voxy. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "A voice beyond her age". Seven Sharp. TVNZ. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  11. ↑ "Tayla Alexander, Disney Channel " This is Who I Am" segment". YouTube. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  12. ↑ "Pokarekare Ana , Tayla Alexander, [ 12yo] , Live on TVNZ Good Morning". YouTube. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "Top 20 Albums: IMNZ Charts to December 6". Independent Music NZ Inc. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
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