Singer finds muse at early age

Juggling two children and your own singing school is no easy feat, but Bunbury songstress Courtney Gledhill manages both with style and poise.

Formerly a Downes before marrying into the Gledhill family, music has always been a prominent part of 25-year-old Courtney’s life, with a fateful turn of events leading to a lifelong pursuit of the passion.

“I first got into music at seven years old when I saw the Risdon School of Music play at a school fete and I haven’t stopped since then,” Courtney said.

“One of my earliest inspirations was Eva Cassidy, who mum used to play in the car and her music sounded so strong and powerful when I heard her, I wanted to be like her.”

After high school Courtney continued to chase the dream, studying contemporary vocals at Leederville TAFE and WAAPA before moving home and in 2011 founding the Bunbury Singing School through Top Jazz Ballet.

Almost five years later and Courtney’s ambitions are still going strong, performing in five-piece pop group Juice and expanding the singing school with drum, guitar and piano lessons.

While it has been smooth sailing for the most part, Courtney credits the support of her parents and Top Jazz Ballet owner Helen Goff as the reason she has been able to make her dreams a reality.

“I couldn’t have done it without Helen, she is the backbone of the school,” Courtney said.

“My parents have always been really supportive too, helping me and allowing me to pursue my music and I’m so thankful to them.”

Cool, calm and collected when playing long shows with multiple lyrics to learn, it is instead the smaller, quieter moments that Courtney still finds nerve-racking, including one special occasion that had her belting out Advance Australia Fair in front of hundreds.

“It can be weird, if I do a four-hour gig I am fine, but it’s the one song performances that can get to you,” Courtney laughs.

“They can be pretty special too though, I mean I got to sing the national anthem at the 2015 Australia Day celebrations in Bunbury and it was just before the fireworks, so as I hit the final note in the song the stage lit up and the fireworks went off.

“It made me feel like a bit of a celebrity.”

Courtney is not one to seek out a life of fame or fortune though, instead proudly focusing on helping her students achieve their aspirations.

“Whether they place or not in competitions I’m so proud of their achievements, so much so my heart beats flat out and I’m nervous for them,” Courtney remarks.

“I am really big on using what singers already have, their natural talents and the individuality of each student.

“None of the students had sung before when I first started and to see and hear them now is incredible.”

Living and breathing music, Courtney is at the school five days a week, teaching 30 lessons with more than 55 students, but says she enjoys every second of it.

“Music literally makes me feel better when it comes on,” Courtney said.

“I’ve never been good at public speaking or giving speeches, but I’ve always been good at singing, and everything has just fallen into place.”

While balancing work and family can be hard, Courtney cherishes the moments she gets to spend with her loved ones, including her two children Indiana, 5, and Sully, 3.

“I like to spend time with my family, not just my husband and kids, but all my relatives on both sides too,” she said.

“Visiting the beach and going on holidays is something important to me too though and I would love to go to Fiji one day.“