Sarah Guirguis We recently had a one-on-one talk with the first Arab musician to be awarded the Bocelli-Jameel Scholarship at the Royal College of Music in London, and she happens to be Egyptian. Laura Mekhail is not only a talented passionate singer, she was a singing teacher at Chesterbrook Academy for six years before she decided to become a professional soloist. We became keen to learn more about her story…
When did you first discover your passion for singing?
I’ve been singing in my church choir since I was a girl. As I grew up, I started maturing. Then when I was in high school, we had this really tough piece in our choir and they chose me to sing it. It was meant for a high soprano. But I managed. That’s when I said to myself, “Ok! I can do more than this being just a talent.” Then I started looking for schools to actually study singing – classical singing in particular. That’s how it all started. I started looking for schools but there were none here in Egypt, so I looked abroad and then found a school in West Virginia; that’s where I went.
How did you decide to pursue a career in this field?
When I got to West Virginia, Wesleyan College, my professor, Mandy Spievak was amazing. Actually, she’s the one who encouraged me most. She’s the one who actually made me feel more than simply my talent, but that I can do way more, that I could make this my profession. She helped me trust myself and become a much better singer. She taught me a lot and that’s how I realised that I wanted to pursue singing as a career. After my graduation, I just went from there.
What kind of singer would you classify yourself as?
I can actually sing other genres. I can sing pop, jazz and Arabic. However, I do classify myself as a coloratura soprano singer. That’s where my passion is. That’s what I want to become – a professional classical soprano singer.
If you had to pick, what has been your favourite performance so far?
One of my best performances was when I was invited to sing at the New Ramses College graduation. I chose to sing the song I Believe by Andrea Bocelli and Catherine Jenkins. It was one of the most enjoyable performances I’ve ever experienced.
How does it feel to be the first Arab musician awarded the Andrea Bocelli Foundation –Community Jameel Scholarship?
At first, I was super excited. I just kept jumping up and down. I was like, “Oh my God! Is this really happening to me?” At the time, I didn’t say to myself, “Oh wow, I’m the first Arab to receive the scholarship,” but then it hit me! This is a huge responsibility. I am holding the names of two big entities and they will be with me forever. I have a responsibility towards these people. I have a responsibility towards my country. I need to give one hundred percent of myself.” I actually keep thinking, I have a lot ahead of me to prove and to accomplish.
I have been following the work of Community Jameel for some time now, and I can say that they have been investing in the future of education; with growing challenges, particularly as the pandemic has taken over the world, scholarships such as Andrea Bocelli Foundation–Community Jameel Scholarship, are essential in supporting the work of creatives, individuals and industries affected. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to study at one of the world’s greatest conservatoires, especially at a time when support for the arts is needed more than ever before.
Now that you have the chance to learn at a top league conservatory, what are your expectations going in?
I’ve come to realise the unique opportunity afforded to me by not only studying at the Royal College of Music, a world-renowned conservatory but also being a Bocelli-Jameel scholar. I believe that it will open many doors for me. I plan to seize every opportunity that comes my way and become the best that I can be.
If you were to share advice with aspiring musicians, what would you say are the main keys that really shaped your career as a singer?
I would say that, especially as a musician, it’s really hard to become a professional. You need a lot of persistence to achieve your dream and you can never let it go. You have to just keep pursuing what you want to be. You need to overcome every challenge that comes your way and never, never let go of your dream until you achieve it.
