Janelle Colquhoun,  Vocals,  Jann Rutherford, piano, Real Audio Sample (497kbs)

Brisbane born singer Janelle started her love of music from an early age performing with choirs, stage shows, dance revues and playing trumpet in jazz and concert bands. With a firm grounding in the theatre and musical world, she won a scholarship to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of music. Here she studied to be an opera singer. During her studies she also learned the commercial side of music as she worked with choirs and ensembles, also managing her vocal quartet for weddings and Christmas functions. In her final year of studies, she moonlighted at Expo 88, singing with her a capella vocal quartet The Metways. On the side, she entertained guests with her zany comedy character Janelley Melba - Roller-skating Opera Singer. In November 1988, she moved to Sydney to accept a contract with the Australian Opera. Among other highlights, she sang in a trio with Dame Joan Sutherland in her farewell performance of Les Huguenots at the Sydney Opera House. Two years and many successful national vocal competitions subsequent, she headed abroad. Touring extensively throughout Europe her final destination was Germany. After singing roles with a number of opera companies, she accepted a full-time contract with Opera Frankfurt, where she remained for 5 years. She was often invited to display her jazz prowess when entertaining at functions, concerts and parties. Comical presentations of musical theatre and operetta were also a favourite. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Janelle returned to Australia 6 years later. She is often asked to perform in concerts, ranging from opera to cabaret and jazz. Her repertoire is wide and flexible, performing with a pianist, a 5-piece combo and on occasions with a full orchestra. Janelle has performed regularly with the Opera Queensland, and was one of the soloists in Michael Edgley's Aida in the ANZ Stadium in 1997. In the IHOS Opera/Access Arts Inc. experimental opera, The Divine Kiss, she was a soloist when it premiered in the 1998 Energex Brisbane Festival and on its 1999 Hobart tour. Launched in 1999 by Arts Minister Mr Matt Foley, Janelle released her first solo cd, The man I Love. The album highlights her rich, full voice while performing Gershwin and Porter songs in a cabaret style. Janelle can be found regularly performing in Brisbane and interstate at functions, launches, concerts and festivals, including many fund-raising events. In July 2001, she sang the Straus Four Last Songs with the Brisbane Sinfonia as a fund-raiser for Diabetes Research. In August 2003 Janelle was invited to perform and speak at the International Diabetes Federation World Congress in Paris, where she received standing ovations. At the Wataboshi International Music Festival, Brisbane 2003 she performed contemporary classical works with her a capella vocal trio, and jazz standards with pianist Jeff usher. Frequently she is invited as a conference speaker and media spokesperson, adding life experience and humour to make the presentations interesting. Janelle is a member of many arts and community boards and committees. Through her board involvement, she gained support to establish Salubrious Productions Janelle's cds "The Man I Love" and "Jazopra - From Sinatra to Sutherland" can be purchased by contacting Access Arts Inc.: Info@accessarts.org.au For  prices, availability, further details and to make a booking, please call or email Janelle at: tel/fax: (07) 3855 3048 Mobile: 0414 3855 30 Email: info@salubriousproductions.com ABN: 22 896 553 565 Link Back to the top of  the Page Return to Home Page Salubrious Productions thanks Arts Queensland for its generous support in the design of this web site.