Meet Michaela Sydney
More Than A 4 Star Singer

August 1998 Island Connections

Michaela Sydney is a classy singer, with a voice to envy, strong, powerful and wide ranging. Classy enough indeed to have made a recent appearance at the 4 star, Guayarmina Princess Hotel in Torviscas where she was received by a very warm and appreciative audience.

I will come straight out with it, I am biased, so don't take my word for it, go and see her yourself.

Back in grey and gloomy Birmingham, where we both originate from, she was my neighbour, next-door-but-three. So there I was screeching away on the Karaoke one warm night in December down in Puerto Colon and in walks this lady with a familiar face. It probably happens to you all the time, but not to me. I can honestly say that in all the years I have lived in Tenerife this was the first time I had come across anyone that I even vaguely recognised from the dim and distant.

Anyway, you see, it means I know rather a lot about Michaela's history - and what's more I am going to tell all. Who needs friends like me?

Michaela started singing when she was pint-sized, though I doubt that her voice was ever pint-sized, entertaining the family. She got into Gospel music at the age of 13, singing in festivals and competitions and winning. When she wasn't actually singing in choirs, she was conducting them - and still winning. She then worked for a Christian record company, doing sessions and backing vocals and moved on to do more solo work. She also performed in a live Gospel concert, broadcast by the Midland's radio station, Radio WM.

The hardest part, she says, was making the move from Gospel music to mainstream, but I have to say, not so as you'd notice.

How did it happen? Well, she was on holiday in good old Tenerife and having a laugh on the karaoke herself (you mean there is hope for us all?), when Michelle the barmaid, who currently works at the Corner Bar in Las Americas, commented to compare, Mickey Take that Michaela should be singing professionally. Mickey put her in touch with someone in the UK from where she went on to do more competitions, showcases and cabaret spots. The rest, as they say is history. Now she's doing cabaret for us to enjoy in Tenerife, whilst improving the sun-tan, naturally.

Michaela also appeared recently, voluntarily, to entertain at The Royal British Legion Dinner Night at Westhaven Bay in Costa del Silencio.

Michaela's current repertoire is varied, but her favourites must be the Barbara Streisand numbers, which she has all the power to carry off perfectly. Most of her current work is coming from recommendations and people asking to have her back. What more can I say?

Just one warning, be careful how you talk to Michaela about 'bookings', she may lapse into her alter-ego and give you a ticket. She used to be a Traffic Warden - and she seems such a nice girl too! The secret is out.

© Pamela Heywood