Giselle Minns

2010 Nominee – Female Vocalist of the Year – 20th Annual LA Music Awards

Giselle – “Making music everyday is how I live my life. I have sung on big stages throughout Europe, and worked with wonderful musicians and people. I have sung with some of the most famous artists in the world.
I have won awards and received recognition from the music industry in the U.K., Canada and the USA. A few years ago I won a major Talent Show in Florida where I performed Nationally on US television.
Being on stage and feeling your audience in front of you is one of the most liberating, powerful and unique experiences in the world. I feel blessed every time I sing.
However, it wasn’t always so. From a very early age I dreamed about making music. I begged my parents to let me learn piano from the age of four and at age five I started weekly lessons. I went on to study music professionally. Then I entered the world of Classical music as an opera singer. Wow, what a shock! One moment I was on a major stage performing in front of thousands, the next I was out of work for months on end. Where was I going wrong?
The disappointment and frustration outweighed even the successful moments. Anyone who has struggled with fulfilling a dream can understand. There can be a hugely overwhelming feeling of failure and sheer desperation of when you’re between gigs.
Then a wonderful thing happened. I combined my years of musical knowledge with my talent, packed my bags and moved to North America. I entered a talent show, similar to American Idol, in Florida and won!
Next, I wrote my first classical- crossover album that I released two years later. My CD gained me so much recognition from the music industry and fans, I felt my confidence return. Now I’m starting a new chapter as a songwriter / composer for several major labels working with other well known and industry respected artists, arrangers, conductors, musicians, orchestras, and producers…”
Marquis Records under EMI Canada released one of Giselle’s songs worldwide called “The Key” on “Katya’s” album titled “Moonlight” in September, 2014. Listen to “The Key” here. Giselle’s is currently writing her highly anticipated new music in her home studio and is scoring tracks for her second album and also other major record label productions. In addition to this she is giving master classes as an Associate Professor at Carleton University, is the brainchild and co-director of MusikOttawa, and also continues to make appearances at recitals and music events.

Giselle is a multi award winning composer, multi award winning singer, pianist and cellist. Her work includes performances with artists such as Jose Carreras and the BBC Concert Orchestra for BBC Radio 2. She has appeared on Canadian Radio (CBC) and British Television (BBC), and won Talent Rock’s 2005 Top Female Vocalist Award, where she performed live on U.S. Television. She appeared on Canadian television in 2006 for the CTV Network where she was interviewed and performed one of her songs live. She was nominated for the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards and the 2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards, and was a winner in the 2007 Billboard Songwriting Contest. Giselle is a 2008 Song of the Year Finalist, a 2008 West Coast Songwriting Honorable Nominee, a 2008 100% Songwriting Finalist, and won a 2008 Ontario Independent Music Award and a 2008 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Music Award. She also received a 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Honorable Mention, a 2009 West Coast Songwriters Honorable Mention and two 2009 Billboard Honorable Mentions and she was nominated in the 2010 Los Angeles Music Awards. SEE FULL LIST OF AWARDS HERE. She also released her debut classical crossover album “TURNING CIRCLES” in 2008.

Giselle completed her contract with the Opera National du Rhin in Strasbourg, France, where she was a member of the Opera Studio.

Giselle sang the role of Adele in a Gala Performance of Die Fledermaus in Switzerland with Jose Carreras. Giselle has also sung at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden with The English Bach Festival, where she sang the role of the Chinese Woman & The Nymph in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. She also covered this role at English National Opera along with Moira in Ruders’ The Handmaid’s Tale. Giselle continued her work at English National Opera with the role of Oscar, from Verdi’s Masked Ball.

She has appeared on British Television for the BBC and the BBC World Service. Her radio performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio Two and Classic FM in the U.K., and also Canadian National Radio, when she was invited to perform the world premiere of a newly discovered Mozart aria at Christies in London. Giselle has attended Masterclasses at The Britten Pears School with Dame Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge, and also with Hughes Cuenod & Suzanne Danco. She has also taken part in Masterclasses with Adele leigh, Jill Gomez, Marjorie Thomas, Victor Morris and Jonathan Hinden.

A regular on the recital and oratorio platforms, her performances have included a BBC Radio Two ‘Friday Night is Music Night'; Mozart’s Requiem and Davide Penitente at the Barbican; and Carmina Burana with the BBC Concert Orchestra in Nottingham, England.