Abigail Petersen
Abigail Houghton (Petersen) is a versatile singer, pianist and songwriter whose natural talent and passion for music has been refined with degrees from the University of Cape Town. She graduated from the College of Music with an Honours Degree in Jazz performance, majoring in Jazz Piano and Jazz Voice, followed by a Masters Degree awarded with distinction, specialising in Composition and Jazz Voice.
Abigail’s career has spanned across performance, education, stage and television. She has performed extensively around South Africa and abroad, including a European tour with David Kramer/Taliep Petersen’s hit musical Kat and the Kings, as well as other performances in New York, Las Vegas and Mozambique just to name a few. Abigail’s versatility as an artist is further reflected in her experience in the recording studio, providing vocals for various local and international projects.
Her dedication and hard work in the field of music has been recognised on many occasions through various awards and prizes. These include winning the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition in 2003 and being nominated for a Naledi Theatre Award for best female performance in a musical in 2005.
Abigail’s past position as the Jazz Vocal lecturer at the UCT College of Music has also contributed to her development as an artist, performer and educator. She has collaborated with various other artists and programmes, serving as a Pop Idols preliminary judge for several years, while coaching students both privately and through the university, who moved on to become award-winning recording and performing artists both locally and internationally, as well as respected educators in both tertiary and other institutions.
In 2016 she relocated close to Bergen in western Norway, where she recorded her debut album, The Human Element before its release in 2017. This adult contemporary album features 13 original tracks that boasts Abigail’s powerful vocals and impressive songwriting ability. While immersing herself in the recording process in Norway, Abigail continued to nurture talent through teaching voice and vocal development, conducting various vocal workshops, as well as performing in and around Bergen. Upon Abigail’s return to South Africa in 2018, she continued to differentiate herself in the South African Jazz scene, performing her much-loved Brazilian repertoire in Portuguese, along with her favourite Jazz Standards. Wielding powerful, soulful vocals and a vibrant stage presence, Abigail continues to captivate audiences in Cape Town.
www.abigailpetersen.com
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