Shining a Light on Local Talent

One of the very talented performers on the ‘Open Mike Night’ at the Cidery is Claire Robinson, who has a wonderful soprano voice. On these nights she sings acappella to hushed audiences.

Performing without the accompaniment of instruments or a backing track, her voice provides all the musical instruments needed. The only sounds come from her voice and are natural, this is a special way of showing off the power of her voice.

Acapella is an Italian phrase which roughly translated means ‘in the church style’. It stems from the popularity of gospel music and other similar genres of music and suits songs that have a strong melody.

Claire’s story is still playing out, she started having singing lessons at the age of six, only for the reason she enjoyed singing and wanted to get better at it.

Whilst she was attending St. Mary’s primary school in Donnybrook, the music teacher there was Stephen Crabbe. He had connections with Bridgetown and introduced Claire to singing at the Christmas Carol nights at St. Paul’s.

Through her teenage years she also performed on Open Mike Nights, usually singing folk songs along with her younger brother Timothy, with whom she sang harmonies; being siblings, their voices harmonized naturally.

Claire is now being taught by Myra Easton, a classical music teacher in Bunbury, Myra is developing Claire’s soprano voice.

Claire goes on to talk about her love of singing, “In the classical sphere of music I’m learning to sing in, I sing in five languages, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Latin.

“This gives me a different insight into music. I listen to songs being performed, I read the English translation, giving me an understanding of what is being said and then I can sing in those languages.

“Singing in different languages hasn’t allowed me to speak in those languages, more’s the pity.

“The lessons have also allowed me to perform in the Bunbury Eisteddfod. During this festival I sing accompanied by a piano.

“In 2013 I joined the ‘Gondwana Choir’ in Sydney and from those connection in 2019 I sang in the choir at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which was performed in Sydney, a truly wonderful experience.”

Claire has also performed as a soloist at the ‘Up Close and Classical’ concerts in Bridgetown.

In recent years Claire has been a soloist at the Carol Service at St Paul’s Church, Bridgetown.

“I have also performed in live theatre, I had a role in the ‘Waltz of the Toreadors’, I was the ugly daughter Sidonia.”

Claire who is 21, is in her final year of her teaching degree, and as a teacher she will be specialising in music.

“I’m a practical person, I wanted something sound, a degree, to fall back on, a job which would support my first love, singing.”

Claire, like a lot of talented people, owes a lot to her parents, their support and patience has helped develop her talent and has set her on a path to a career she loves, although her parents are still a bit bewildered as to where the talent has stemmed from.

To listen to Claire sing is one very good reason for attending the next ‘Open Mike Night’ at the Cidery.