While many artists and entertainers felt the negative impact of COVID-19 on the music industry last year, Hayley Kitchener used the disruption as an opportunity to reinvent her sound and give back to the community.
An accomplished opera singer, Hayley started her own studio, Music Studio 60, in Redcliffe to record new music and focus on teaching.
Hayley said that even though her passion in life was singing, the thing she was most proud of in her career so far was being able to connect with people in meaningful ways and help them on their journey.
My greatest achievement is actually helping others, she said.
Yes, I love performing as well as song writing but my greatest achievement is when that music gets out there and someone else's life is touched.
So, if somebody else is helped by my music or my teaching then I couldn't ask for anything more.
Hayley teaches singing, piano, and how to read braille music for visually impaired students. She said the challenges of COVID-19 inspired her to find inventive ways to teach and perform.
You can teach anywhere in the world; you can perform to anyone in the world pretty much with your online platforms if you have the right camera and gear, she said.
I also have a team that I work with and we put on Facebook live concerts.
Because of COVID-19 we've had to be a bit creative with how we do things, so that's what I did.
I am still passionate about trying to help local artists.
Hayley kicked off 2021 with a bang by starting a new degree at the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory to progress her professional development, and has already released new music, which you can find on her website.
But she's only just getting started. Hayley has big plans for this year and wants to push herself further than ever before.
I want to learn more things, to really establish my career to the next level as a professional artist and to grow Music Studio 60, she said.
To grow its vision of bringing music to people and building my teaching, all of those things.
And just performing, just having a good time.
For more information, visit: www.musicstudio60.com.au or search Music Studio 60 on Facebook and Instagram.