By Natasha Barbieri
My family and friends are well familiar with my particular love for Celtic Woman. My father dutifully would join me for a viewing of each new release. Although all the women in the group help create a unique sound and exciting show, Lisa Kelly was always my favorite. She lit up the screen with a big genuine smile and a warm voice and an obvious passion for music that always inspired me. I continued to follow her career after she left Celtic Woman, and had hoped to meet and study with her when she set up the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy. Although circumstances did not permit me the opportunity I am thrilled to be able to share this interview
with you.
“I grew up in a really musical household,” Lisa says. “Both my parents sang and were in community theatre together and my granddad was an actor so I was always around theatres and stage and everyone sang in our house.” At the ripe old age of twenty-two, Lisa made the decision to leave her job in computers to become a professional singer. “It was no surprise to my parents and they fully supported my decision. In some way I was probably living out their own dreams,” she admits.
The road to becoming a singer is never an easy one and Lisa dealt with her share of rejection. “It’s never easy and you never get used to it but I don’t remember ever feeling bitterly disappointed that I didn’t get a particular role. I firmly believe that things happen for a reason and what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. I always tell students that not getting a particular audition doesn’t always reflect on your ability. You are just not what they wanted on that day.”
Lisa found success in musical theatre and performed in shows such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Chicago, Chess, Oklahoma, West Side Story & Grease. Lisa also became part of the musical sensation “Riverdance” and served as their lead vocalist for five years. During her years with Riverdance Lisa met David Downs who was working as one of the shows musical directors. David worked with Lisa on her debut solo album “Lisa” that was released on the Celtic Collections label in 2003.
Lisa is best known for her involvement in the group Celtic Woman which began as a one-night-only television special and turned into a sensation that has spanned multiple albums and tours and even more television special. The group has since sold millions of records and has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (which eventually was deemed too small for their crowds) and Radio City Music Halls among others.
Throughout the years touring with Celtic Woman, Lisa was one of the few principles that remained in a cast that continues to change to accommodate personal lives and careers. “I think the rotation of people brings a freshness both on and off stage. I understand that it’s hard for fans though if their favorite no longer tours.” This is true, while I definitely enjoyed seeing the group perform at Radio City Music Hall it remains a disappointment that I was never able to watch Lisa perform with them live. “I enjoyed the mix up of cast. And genuinely every girl brought something new and different to the table. The last group I toured with obviously holds a special place in my heart.”
The long tours were no doubt difficult but Lisa took it in her stride. “ I think your body and voice have their own little plan when you are on tour. I can count on one hand the amount of times I was sick on the road. And I toured for 11 years. However, once the tour was over, I would end up being sick for a while.”
Lisa is the proud mother of four children, three boys and one girl. Her husband Scott Porter was also a dancer in Riverdance and the CEO of Celtic Woman. Together they took their family on the road. “My children loved being on the road but in fairness, they knew nothing else. They all toured from the time they were born. So they knew the routine and were so amazing out there. It’s not easy on moms though. I found it hard. But then all moms find it hard. In some ways, the routine and discipline of touring certainly helped. I see the difference in my children who toured and my one little one who didn’t!”
After a decade of performing with Celtic Woman, Lisa decided to leave the group permanently. “I was tired,” she explains. “I had been on the road for 11 years and felt that I had done all I could do with Celtic Woman. I really wanted to be at home with my children and let them enjoy their childhood in a more stable family unit with me and their dad.”
The announcement was a bitter disappointment to fans but it opened the door for many other young students to experience her special brand of magic. Lisa and her husband soon announced the founding of her own school, The Lisa Kelly Voice Academy. “I’ve always wanted to teach. And I have always wanted to share the things I had learned from performing. But the idea for the school was really a spur of the moment decision. Both Scott (my husband) and I are extremely hard workers and if we say we’re going to do something, we do it and we give it 100%.”
The school is a labor of love for both and is located in Peachtree, Georgia. Lisa hopes to instill in her students the important of hard work. “I think some people assume you just stand up there and it all comes out naturally. They don’t understand the physical work your body has to do to get those sounds out. I try to show all my students that and also try to instill a belief in themselves. Confidence is key. Truly believing in yourself and knowing that YOU are what sets you apart from everyone else.”
Her program is slightly different from the traditional conservatory. The official website states that “The Academy is founded on a non-competitive environment, one where there is a unique place for all its students to grow and evolve under the professional guidance of its outstanding teachers.” Each program consists of a mix of vocal training and coaching. “We strongly believe there is no point in having a beautiful voice if you can’t sell the song. Our passion is performance.”
The program is also geared towards helping students with less confidence. “We teach in small groups. This has been the most helpful thing for shy students. They start off terrified but within a few weeks they are full of confidence. Once you overcome the fear of singing in front of a few people, you can pretty much sing in front of anyone.”
Lisa’s passion for music education is evident. “I love teaching the little ones because if you get them early enough, they have no inhibitions. And if you can nurture their enthusiasm, you can build their self-esteem so that they believe they can do anything. And that’s what you want them to think. Have them strong enough that nothing can tear them down.”
Of course, not every child is destined for musical stardom and by Lisa’s standards that’s just fine. “I know that some of our students will never sing and perform outside the four walls of the Academy. That’s ok. Singing gives people emotional freedom. It challenges people and everyone has a different reason for coming to the Academy. We can all still learn something from the person standing next to us and to be honest that has been the success of the Academy so far.”
Lisa shares some words of advice for new teachers. “Stop looking for perfection. Instead, find the heart and soul in their singing. That’s what forms a connection with any type of audience.” Of course, that is exactly how she has built her own career and retains a loyal following. She says, “I love to sing and there are very few songs that I don’t like. I’ll always find a story in a song, even if I have to make it up!”
Although known as the “Broadway girl” of the Celtic Woman group much of Lisa’s training has been in classical music. “I trained classically all my life so I am very comfortable singing classical songs but I performed an operatic song in a concert before I left for Riverdance and it was the most daunting thing I have ever done. My heart just doesn’t lie in opera. I love listening to it though.” As for future performance opportunities in musicals Lisa jokes, “Aw I’m so afraid that I’d be cast as the mother or grandmother at this stage!!! Ha. But I love musicals so never say never.”
Known for being a strong woman Lisa encourages others to go after their dreams. “I think it’s important that you work hard and you go after what you want. Male or Female. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Having a good work ethic is super important to me. I’ve worked really really hard to get the things I wanted in life. Nothing came easily. I think that leads to a great sense of accomplishment. I have no regrets. I’ve learned from every disappointment.”
In addition to her work at the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy, Lisa has continued to be involved in performing events including her concert “The Voice of Ireland” with fellow Celtic Woman alum Chloe Agnew and Paul Byrom of Celtic Thunder.
In 2014 she released a Christmas single entitled, “Christmas Everywhere.” Lisa hopes to share more new music with us all in the future. “I would love to do an album. It’s definitely on the cards. At this point, it’s just finding the time.”
To learn more about the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy visit: www.thelisakellyvoiceacademy.com
