Julia Halfyard

Cabaret Performer

With plans to premiere her one-woman show on Broadway next year and a personal endorsement from the former President of the United States, Julia Halfyard is set to put Newfoundland on the map as home to a rising cabaret star.

Julia Halfyard has delighted audiences in music ranging from popular to classical to musical theatre in settings ranging from cabaret clubs to the symphonic stage.   She has worked with a variety of Musical Theatre companies throughout Canada including the Sunshine Festival in Orillia, Ontario, the Charlottetown Festival in PEI, Spirit of Newfoundland, TaDa events, and the Stephenville Festival. Selected credits include: My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, The Mikado, Chicago, and Cats.  The ever popular Divas shows in St. John’s are an ongoing pet project of Julia’s, the most recent incarnation being “Divas do Christmas” in December of 2007.  

Julia has also been invited to perform throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and across Canada, entertaining dignitaries and officials including private performances for former US president George HW Bush. As a performer, consultant, and advisor, she has worked with many celebrities and artists, such as Colm Wilkinson, Sheilagh Rogers, Michael Burgess, and Sally Mayes as well as countless politicians and dignitaries. 

Her tremendously successful Cabaret series at the exclusive Cigar Volante at Bianca’s in St. John’s led to a run at the ‘Velvet’, one of Montreal’s highly regarded Cabaret clubs.  Chosen by CBC Music Craft as a guest, Julia also had the pleasure of hosting an hour long special on Cabaret music.  Julia was selected to sing in the 2002 Juno showcase series and the 2003 East Coast music awards.  In 2002 her colleagues at the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland nominated her as ‘Female Artist of the Year’.

Since completing her Master’s in Voice Performance at Memorial University, Julia maintains an active voice studio in St. John’s and produces an annual Summer Musical Theatre School.  Last summer (2007) Julia attended the prestigious Cabaret Conference at Yale University with 35 other participants from around the world, training in an intensive work program with Broadway and West End theater performers, Grammy Award winning songwriters, Tony Award winning and nominated performers, Emmy Award winning and nominated performers, and numerous Cabaret Award (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, Back Stage Bistro and Mabel Mercer Foundation). The net result is her debut performance in New York City later next year.

Discography

Julia Halfyard – “Meow” (02 04557)

Website

http://www.juliahalfyard.com

Reviews

Well, I certainly hope that little Irish girl is going to sing for us ....  (referring to Julia on a salmon fishing trip to Newfoundland ) President George Bush Sr. 

Julia Halfyard is an astounding performer... From entertaining President George Bush and his associates to and intimate dinner party with a few close friends, Julia's voice spellbinds the audience.  Craig L Dobbin: Chairman and CEO Canadian Helicopter Corp

It was one of the best nights in a concert hall of my life. I relishedevery minute of your performances -your delivery of every single songwas spot on and utterly persuasive: ...  thanks for adding so wonderfully to the season. Tom Gordon – Director, School of Music Memorial University of Newfoundfland

Congratulations again on a great evening last night. The entertainment was excellent, the value of the show far exceeded the price of a ticket, your hosting and performing were superb... David Chafe – Professional Musician

Saturday night was just beautiful:  beautifully programmed and beautifully sung! I had a cold and was in one of those moods where you just want to be cuddled in bed, but you completely changed my mood, was thrilled to be there and had a great time.-as did everyone else. Caroline Schiller – Professional Singer and Pedagogue

You were fabulous, really you were!  Such great acting, and .... such an amazing range in style and sound in your voice.  Some amazing opera sound, along with everything else.  BRAVA! Vernon Regher – Professional Musician

Just had to... thank you for tonight's show.  It was AMAZING!  I was so moved tonight - the whole gamete of emotions, the brilliant singing and musicianship.  Cheri Carroll

Julia - you were amazing - really blew me away.  The voice, the performance - top notch - thoroughly professional.  It was a terrific night.  The best thing was that you are so obviously happy and centred - you glowed like an individual who has it all put together. Pete Soucy – Professional Comedian (Snook)