Grace Bawden
Grace Bawden in 2013
Grace Bawden in 2013
Background information
Born (1992-10-07) 7 October 1992
OriginAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
GenresClassical crossover, operatic pop
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2007–present
LabelsGBP
Websitegracebawden.com

Grace Bawden (born 7 October 1992) is an Australian classical crossover singer from Adelaide. She competed on the second season of Australia's Got Talent (2008) and subsequently issued her debut album, Gifts of Grace (September 2009). She portrayed Yum-Yum in a South Australian production of The Mikado (March–May 2016), which toured Australia.

Background

Grace Bawden grew up in Adelaide, South Australia with her mother, Matilda Bawden,[1] and brother, Luke Bawden. Matilda has Italian and Serbian heritage.[2] In late 2013 Bawden learnt that her father had been adopted – his birth mother is Shirley Peisley.[1][2] Bawden met her new-found grandmother, Peisley, and extended family in early 2014.[1][2] Peisley is an Aboriginal woman of the Ngarrindjeri nation and was a referendum campaigner in 1967, which resulted in Indigenous Australians being counted in subsequent censuses.[3]

Bawden's singing voice was first noticed by Matilda, who heard her daughter mimicking Italian opera.[1] Bawden began singing lessons at a local music store, at six years old. She attended Thomas More College and Parafield Gardens High School.[4] One of her early jobs was as a dental assistant.[5] In January 2012 Bawden was named Young Salisbury Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day celebrations.[6]

Career

Bawden entered singing competitions from the age of 10 to 14, throughout South Australia. In 2006 Bawden performed in front of an audience of 30,000 at the Advertiser-Adelaide City Council, Carols by Candlelight.[7] In February 2007 Bawden co-wrote two tracks and recorded material with producer and songwriter, Audius Mtawarira (Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian, Paulini).[8][9] In mid-2007 Bawden was invited by TV presenter, Richard Wilkins, to perform on Nine Network's breakfast news program, Today.[10]

Bawden prepared to audition for Australia's Got Talent (AGT) by busking in Adelaide. In December 2007 she was interviewed by former Australian Idol judge, Mark Holden live on 5AA radio. After singing a Christmas Carol, Grace Bawden Promotions Pty Ltd (GBP) was formed with the support of local investors.[11] Bawden auditioned for the second season of Australia's Got Talent in February 2008 and the judges approved of her rendition of "O Mio Babbino Caro". In the semi-finals Bawden was named Judge's Choice after performing, "Ebben? Ne andrò lontana" from La Wally. She was dubbed "Australia's greatest operatic discovery."[12] In the Grand Final, Bawden performed Léo Delibes' "Flower Duet" (Yanni's Aria version) which she translated to English from its French lyrics,[13] after a judge requested that she sing in English.[4] Bawden was in the second pair of contestants that were voted off, making Top 6. Despite an offer of contract by a major label, Bawden remained an independent artist.

Bawden recorded her debut extended play and was signed by talent manager Max Markson, [14] and began negotiations with a major label. Despite an offer of a contract, GBP released a six-track extended play, Grace Bawden, independently after loss of confidence in the label.[15] It was produced by Mtawarira at The Sound Academy and East Street Studios, Sydney.[16] Bawden was backed by Brian Campeau on guitar, Damiel Carmichael on trombone, Emanuel Lieberfruendd on flute and saxophone, Katarina Papalo on violin, Leo Kram on viola, Morad Samaloussi on guitar, Peter Urquhart on violin, Sophie Glasson on cello, Barbara Griffin on piano and Rory Brown on strings.[16]

In 2008 Bawden appeared at the South Australian National Football League Grand Final, in front of a crowd of over 40,000.[4] Bawden's debut album Gifts of Grace was released in September 2009 via Blind Faith Entertainment with Mtawarira producing again.[17] Classical-Crossover's writer rated it at four-out-of-five stars and explained, "[it] conveys an artist that does not want to be pigeon-holed, does not want to be a commodity, and an artist that has advanced and mature understanding of music and what it means to her. Bawden is someone well worth giving a chance."[8] Staff writer for Female.com.au observed, "[it's] a blend of contemporary and classical songs in the most original interpretation of some of the world's most favourite songs and songwriters."[12]

In September 2010 Bawden travelled to London and Italy to audition for opera schools, including with Mirella Freni, the Centro Universale del Bel Canto (CUBEC) and La Scuola Dell' Opera Italiana (SOI) in Bologna. Bawden was ranked "fit for entry" to CUBEC, but due to her young age missed out on a scholarship. She was accepted for private tuition with SOI.[5]

Bowden made her operatic debut as Cio-Cio-San in Co-Opera's production of Madame Butterfly in mid-2014.[2][18] She then took the role of Yum-Yum in The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of South Australia and Co-Opera's joint-production of The Mikado, which toured Australian states of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland from March to May 2016.[19][20] Bawden was due to record her second album, with Nashville's Keith Thomas producing, during 2017.[20]

Music and voice

Bawden has been classified as a lyric-coloratura soprano,[8] and has a vocal range of over 3½ octaves.[21] Although she became known as an opera singer on Australia's Got Talent, Bawden also sings pop, contemporary, jazz, traditional, musical theatre and arias. Her debut album includes cover versions of Midge Ure's "Dear God", Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia", Barbra Streisand's "People", Kansas' "Dust in the Wind" and Paul McCartney's and John Lennon's "Long and Winding Road".

In early 2009 Bawden was introduced to Los Angeles-based composer, Gregory Hinde, by Krystine McLeod to co-write "Angels Will Watch", which was included on Gifts of Grace.[22] Grace's debut single, was a cover version of Iva Davies' "Man of Colours" (July 2009), and included a music video.[23] It received Davies' blessing and was aired on national television program, Rage on 4 September 2009.[24][25][26]

Charitable work

In November 2009 Bawden received the "Living Legend Award" for the City of Salisbury in recognition of her long-standing charitable work within her local community, her contribution as a role model for young people and for her accomplishments in the Arts.

Modelling

In September 2009 Bawden appeared as a model for the Spring Edition of My Wedding Magazine.[27]

Discography

Albums

  • Gifts of Grace (September 2009) – Blind Faith Entertainment (BFCD6103)[17]
Track listing

Extended plays

  • Grace Bawden (2008) – GBP (GBP001)[16]
Track listing
    • "Man of Colours" (Iva Davies)
    • "Dust in the Wind" (Kerry Kivgren)
    • "Streets of Philadelphia" (Bruce Springsteen)
    • "Flower Duet" (Leo Delibis, Yanni, Grace Bawden)
    • "Long and Winding Road" (John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
    • "Dear God"(Midge Ure)

Singles

  • "Man of Colours" (2009)
  • "If I Only Had Wings" (2010)[28]
  • "Send Me an Angel" (by Gabrielle Stahlschmidt, Abigail Stahlschmidt & Grace Bawden) (2016)[29]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Amazing Grace". Deadly Vibe. 6 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ashford, Karen (2 June 2014). "Madame Butterfly star discovers Indigenous heritage". SBS News. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  3. ↑ Hocking, Rachael; Morgan, Myles (26 May 2017). "50 years on, 1967 referendum campaigner mentors next generation". SBS News. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "FAQ on Grace Bawden's Official Site". Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Grace Bawden's Got Talent". SA Life. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  6. ↑ City of Salisbury (March 2012). "Social Scene – Community Events in Salisbury". Salisbury Aware. p. 30. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  7. ↑ Stankovic, V (December 2006). "Grace Bawden: Carols by Candlelight 2006 – 'Do you hear what I hear'". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. 1 2 3 Nicola (ed.). "Grace Bawden – Gifts of Grace". Classical-Crossover. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "'Just Breathe' at APRA search engine". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 16 October 2021. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:'
  10. ↑ Stankovic, V (July 2007). "Grace Bawden on Channel 9's Today". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  11. ↑ "Investment Opportunities". Grace Bawden Official Website. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009.
  12. 1 2 staff writer. "Music Interviews: Grace Bawden". Female.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "Grace Bawden: 'Flower Duet'/ Yanni's Aria version". OperaSeats.com. 12 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "News Articles". Markson Sparks. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  15. ↑ Hurt, Jessica, Adelaide Confidential, "CD's a Gift from Grace", 10 August 2009
  16. 1 2 3 Bawden, Grace; Audius (2008), Grace Bawden, GBP, retrieved 16 October 2021
  17. 1 2 Bawden, Grace; Audius (2009), Gifts of Grace, Blind Faith Entertainment, retrieved 16 October 2021
  18. ↑ "About Brian: Co-Opera Incorporated". Brian Chatterton Speciality Music. Retrieved 17 October 2021. Note: photo of the artist in the role.
  19. ↑ "Contributor: Grace Bawden". AusStage. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  20. 1 2 Dunstan, Robert (June 2016). "Grace Bawden at Stag Hotel – Friday 10 June". BSide Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ↑ "South Australian Legislative Council". Hansard. 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  22. ↑ "'Angels Will Watch' at APRA search engine". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 17 October 2021. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:'
  23. ↑ BlindFaithOnline. "Grace Bawden – 'Man of Colours' (Official Video)". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ "Grace Bawden". ReverbNation. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  25. ↑ Vlach, Anna, (25 August 2009) Adelaide Confidential, "Iva shows good grace"
  26. ↑ "Rage Playlist". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 4 September 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  27. ↑ "Flip-book". My Wedding Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
  28. ↑ "'If Only I Had Wings' – Single by Grace Bawden". Apple Music. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  29. ↑ "'Send Me an Angel' – Single by Gabrielle Stahlschmidt, Abigail Stahlschmidt & Grace Bawden". Apple Music. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
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