All By Myself
By Natasha Barbieri
Clara Helms became Australia’s sweetheart after debuting her operatic style on Australia’s Got Talent. Her journey to the stage included extensive dance training from the age of 3. She then studied Speech, Drama and Acting as well as piano.
“It wasn’t until my mid-teens that I really ‘discovered’ singing and really fell in love with it after being accepted into two light Operas in Sydney just after high school.” The realization brought specialized training from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (with notable alumnus Hugh Jackman) and studied Italian, French and German. “I also spent 3 months abroad studying at an Italian Language School in Florence and 3 weeks in Germany for a Vocal Masterclass during my time at university.”
Still, when it came time for the big moment Clara didn’t have much performance experience under belt. “I was straight out from 5 years of university. The competition is not a ‘hands-on’ program so I didn’t feel there was much guidance or advice and I was quite naïve and didn’t have any social media platforms at that time.” It all came so quickly that it was at times confusing as well as “a massive learning experience.” She advises other would-be contestants to “Know your worth and read the contracts carefully!” Clara also confirms that “‘Reality TV’ is not necessarily ‘real’ so it’s important you have a foundation within yourself of who you are.”
Of course, there would be a few things she would change if she were to do it all again but she calls the show, “An amazing platform for growth and learning about myself and a chance to share what I so dearly love, with the world.” She is equally positive to others saying, “Follow your Dreams and Never Give Up”.
Clara released ‘My Love’ her debut album in 2017 – a collection of favorites such as Memory, My Heart Will Go on and Hallelujah. “The title says it all. My work is my passion and love and every day that I get to share that with an audience is the most rewarding and exhilarating blessing.” It’s also the songs about love that inspire her. “I am a huge romantic and this album is a really beautiful showcase of some wonderful classics.”
Recently though Clara had a career-defining moment when she flew to LA to record the single ‘All by Myself’ with the Cove Music team (including tenor/producer, Thomas Spencer). “LA was incredible. An amazing, surreal trip working with the best of the best musicians and technicians in this music genre … who also happen to be remarkably wonderful human beings who I absolutely loved getting to know!”
The journey began two years prior when Clara and Thomas were first introduced through the Classical Crossover Singers Facebook Group. “We got chatting
about music and sharing a mutual love and passion for crossover repertoire and singing and ended up becoming great friends.”
The trip was still very much a leap of faith. Due to last minute availability Thomas invited Clara to record the single while he was producing another artist in LA. She says, “The planets aligned.” Her supporters were instrumental. “With some amazingly generous sponsorship assistance from Alex at Arktika Vodka / Edgemill Group, Roy Spagnolo Associates and the Casella Family, I was able to jump on a flight and continue to pursue my dreams. Very grateful! It was humbling to have the financial backing and support to grab the bull by the horns, fly to Los Angeles, my first trip to the city of angels, and challenge myself to be daring and adventurous and I returned from one of the most phenomenal, challenging, inspiring and empowering trips of my life.”
‘All by Myself’ formerly a hit for popular music legend Celine Dion was chosen by producer Spencer. “He felt the song truly captured my experiences. It’s so powerful because so many people can relate! There are so many beautiful souls out in the world who feel alone, lonely, overlooked and desperate to find their voice and be heard. We all just want to be loved and appreciated so I truly hope audiences hear this song and find inspiration.”
The Australia’s Got Talent experience despite its many rewards had left her at times feeling, “lost, frustrated and overlooked. Coming out of the show there were some opportunities that came from it and some doors did start to open, but there was also a catch, or a price to pay, which wasn’t something I felt totally comfortable with. Yet I was determined to never give up on my passion and my dreams, because this is my love. I got to LA and threw myself into the deep end within 5 minutes of recording vocals I broke down, crying over peppermint tea because it was so real and raw for me… I was very lucky to be surrounded by the strongest support and guidance, respect, reassurance, love and patience of an amazing world-class team and it was inspiring!”
The experience also helped Clara find her voice. “I am always passionately hungry to pursue my dreams but this trip reignited an even more powerful fire within me.” She found herself working with people who had previously worked with Celine Dion, Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli and Barbra Streisand. Even more special she was able to spent time Paul Farberman a member of Celine’s management team for 17 years and whom she says “shared many incredible stories of the magnificent Celine.”
She is hopeful that others will realize, “It’s never too late and to never give up on their passion and dreams and pursue what they love. Many people have said that I ‘made this song my own’ and a friend wrote that ‘You have established yourself as not just the ‘next Celine Dion’ but the world’s first Clara Helms’ which I thought was poignantly beautiful and very flattering!”
The song also stretched Clara’s musical direction. Always working on something new she tells us, “Thomas and I are super excited about brainstorming some wonderful ideas at the moment and definitely in line with the style and feel of ‘All by Myself’ and massaging the edges of Classical Pop Crossover music.”
Not surprisingly one of the causes closest to Clara’s heart is a foundation she founded called ‘Belief Beyond Bullies’ which raises awareness and “Self-empowerment for our youth.” In addition, “I have also done a lot of charity work, specifically fundraising financial relief with local Rotary Clubs for natural disaster and fire catastrophes where my inaugural sponsor, Rod Slater and I, organized concert performances, soirees and auctions to raise money for rebuilding homes in the Queensland Floods and Roleystone Bushfire tragedies.”
She has been an ambassador to charity events like the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, “to help raise funds for life support equipment for premature babies and children in need.” Her love for animals also sees her in the role of ‘Foster Mum’ for the Cat Protection Society.
The New Single is Available now from iTunes.
