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Opera is rarely the primary musical choice for a young girl. Even more uncommon is Holly Stell, a thirteen-year-old beauty with an exceptional gift for singing opera. Holly first surprised her mother when she was drawn to operatic performances on television as a toddler. Barely a teenager, this gifted soprano has already performed with stunning talents such as Andrea Bocelli.
Instead of watching cartoons, Holly was mesmerized by The Three Tenors. At the age of four her parents allowed her to join the junior choir at her church just so she could do the one thing that seemed to make her unbelievably happy—sing. It wasn’t until nine, however, that Holly and her parents truly discovered the power of her voice, when she sang her first solo, “O’ Holy Night.”
Holly had a gift—that much was obvious. Her parents, unfamiliar with musical training, sought out a vocal coach to help Holly strengthen her voice. But no one would take a nine-year-old girl under their melodic wing. Finally, Susan Cox heard Holly’s unmistakable gift and began guiding her mature young voice.
In December of 2003, Holly traveled with the VOENA Children’s Choir and performed as a soloist for the President of the United States’ Pageant of Peace Christmas Tree Lighting, which aired live around the world on C-SPAN. She was also featured in A&E’s special “Holidays at the White House,” hosted by Susan Lucci. She has been a featured soloist for VOENA since joining the Children’s Choir in January of 2003. Holly has opened for artists including Jose Feliciano and Lily Tomlin and performed as back up vocalist for Lone Star, Shirley Jones and Twyla Robinson.
In addition to her many notable performances, Holly has a number of “firsts” under her belt. She is the youngest person ever to perform “The Queen of the Night’s Vengeance Aria” from Mozart’s last opera “The Magic Flute.” At the age of ten she became the youngest soloist at the Jarvis Conservatory’s “Night of Opera.” Not only can she perform phenomenal music, Holly can write it as well. Her debut album, which drops this fall, will include “Annabelle Lee,” a song the Petite Pavarotti penned herself.
It is not only her voice that is big, but her heart as well. During a talent expo in Palm Springs, where she took first place, Holly met the founder of the non-profit organization “Kids With a Cause.” Holly loved the idea of “children helping children” and quickly became an active member, performing in hospitals and benefits across the United States and Canada.
Performing at Hilary Duff’s High Tea Birthday Benefit at The Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Holly met musical composer and producer Jack Lenz. Lenz was impressed with her talent; he decided right then and there that Holly was the perfect singer for the closing song of his forthcoming film, “The Lazarus Child.” The song, “Go Where Love Goes,” was recorded in Berlin with an 85-piece orchestra, where movie producer Ciro D’Ammico heard Holly and wanted to combine her voice with that of famous Tuscan tenor Andrea Bocelli. The outstanding duet is on Bocelli’s self-titled album, “Andrea” and Bocelli has invited Holly to perform with him in the U.S. and Europe.
Music is a gift, but also a way of life for this phenomenal young girl. Just as comfortable performing with a live orchestra in a concert hall as she is playing with her friends in her neighborhood, one thing is certain—Holly Stell will leave a lasting impression.
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