BIOGRAPHY OF VANESSA-MAE

Introduction

Family background, youth, education and the early recordings

The Violin Player: receiving worldwide fame and recognition

What followed

Growing up brings emotions and changes in focus and view on life

Introduction
In 1995 being only 16 years old, Vanessa-Mae became a world wide superstar and celebrity with the release of her debut pop album 'The Violin Player.' At that time, not too many people were familiar with the fact that she had a discography of already 3 classical albums as career track record and that she had been soloist at an international tour with the London Mozart Players. What is the background of this beautiful young woman who defined classical crossover music, presented a personal renewing and refreshing view on traditional classical music and who developed since 1995 into an icon and role model for many emerging musicians and artists. Who is this remarkable young violinist who, in 1995, emerged into the fame and glamour that comes with success, acting and handling the media with the aplomb of an experienced adult artist, presenting herself dressed in a very personal style of clothes and, instead of preserving the natural innocent looks of a 16-17 year old girl, opted to wear make-up that was obviously intended to be noticed, but done in such a way that it reinforces the beauty of her fine features and renders her face, framed with her wonderful black long hair, a perfect flawlessness and expression of an almost aristocratic air and dignity.

Family background, youth, education and the early recordings
Vanessa-Mae was born on October 27th 1978 in Singapore, exactly 196 years after the legendary Italian violinist Niccolo Paganini, as only daughter to a Thai father and Chinese mother. Her father Varaprong Vanakorn was hotel manger in Singapore and this is basically the only public information on his background that is available. Pamela Tan, daughter of Tan Lee Kip worked as a lawyer and acted as semi-professional pianist. The Chinese family of Vanessa-Mae had lost property and real-estate in China during the communist regime and during the cultural revolution. In the early 90's, parts of these possessions were returned to Vanessa-Mae's family. Pamela and Varaprong separated from each other when Vanessa-Mae was 4 years old.

Soon after the divorce, Pamela re-married Graham Nicholson, a British lawyer who worked on temporarily assignment in Singapore for a large internationally operating law firm. The newly formed family soon moved to London when Vanessa-Mae was still 4 years old. During the years to come, Graham Nicholson would become a partner in the law firm. In London and he adopted Vanessa-Mae as his legal daughter. Being a member of an upper class family living in Kensington, Vanessa-Mae had a very protected childhood and was much under the guidance of nannies. In line with this, she went to the Holland school for girls in Chelsea. 

Aged only 4 by no doubt inspired by her mother being a semi-professional pianist, Vanessa-Mae started to play the piano and it soon became clear that she possessed considerable talent and she was chosen to be 'most promising young talent' at a contest. Notwithstanding the good prospects to become a skilled pianist but strongly influenced by her father Graham who wanted to duet with her on violin and viola, Vanessa-Mae decided to switch to the violin when she 5 or 6 years old. Playing the violin, Vanessa-Mae's extraordinary talent became obvious and training under the guidance of private teachers was greatly intensified with respect to hours spent, but certainly also in challenges and goals that had to be achieved. By the time she was 8, the progress made and the desire to develop beyond that, prompted Vanessa-Mae, accompanied by her mother, to go to Beijing, China, in order to study violin, music and mandarin. At the Central Conservatoire, Vanessa-Mae underwent an intensive training in technique according to the Yankelovich method under supervision of Professor Lin Yao-Ji. Besides violin technique, music in general, culture and mandarin language were part of the program. During this period of 9 months, Vanessa-Mae laid the foundation of the fluent technique she that allows her to play in the relaxed style she expresses today. After returning to London, Vanessa-Mae Vanessa-Mae attended the Royal College of Music where she graduated under professor Felix Andrievsky as the youngest student ever. In 1988, Vanessa-Mae received a Guadagnini violin built in 1761 as special gift for her 10th birthday from her parents. Now Vanessa-Mae had developed the skills and the necessary musical background, and she possessed the instrument that would enable her to aim for a professional career as solo violinist: she decided to do so and make music and the violin her profession. Aged 10, she had her first public performance as solo violinist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1990, Vanessa-Mae recorded her first album simply titled 'Violin,' on which she played music from Sarasate (Carmen Fantasy), Kabalevsky, Wieniawski and the 'Aldelaide' violin concerto that was at that time attributed by the classical music world to Mozart, but was in fact composed in the style of Mozart by Marius Casadeus. The album was released in 1991 and Vanessa-Mae donated her royalties to the 'National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children' (the NSPCC). The year 1991 was the year that the world commemorated the bi-centennial of Mozart's death. In 1991, Vanessa-Mae recorded her 2nd and 3rd album. Kids Classics contained various virtuoso show pieces for violin and a few interpretations for violin of modern pieces that showed her broad interests in various styles of music. On her 3rd recording, Vanessa-Mae made her interpretation of the famous violin concerto's of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven to become the youngest soloist at that time to have done so. Both the 2nd and 3rd recording were released in 1992.

The Violin Player: receiving worldwide fame and recognition
In 1993-1994, Vanessa-Mae met Mel Bush who would become her manager. Mel Bush had teamed up with famous pop bands like Queen, Wham and many others. Mel Bush would turn out to be the best person to help Vanessa-Mae to realise a career, not only as straight classical artist but also as pop violinist. Mel Bush introduced Vanessa-Mae and her mother, who acted as personal manager for her 10-aged daughter, to Mike Batt. Mike Batt composed music for Vanessa-Mae that she completed with making the violin parts. Together with Mike Batt and Mel Bush, Vanessa-Mae decided to acquire an electric Zeta Jazz violin in addition to her acoustic Guadagnini instrument and to extend her options and possibilities to create a style and sound of her own. The next step was to find a recording label and EMI records offered Vanessa-Mae an unprecedented deal that would allow her to record for both the pop and classical divisions. The result of this all was the release of her debut pop album 'The Violin Player' early 1995 that catapulted Vanessa-Mae instantaneously into international fame and stardom, making her a rich and independent at a very young age. Till today, probably 6-8 million copies of 'The Violin Player' have been sold worldwide and the total sales figures for for her career most likely exceeds to 10 million albums, an unprecedented figure for an instrumentalist. Where others speak of classical crossover, Vanessa-Mae keeps to her own definition of techno-acoustic fusion to describe her music and style. 'Toccata & Fugue' was released as single from the album. Both the album and single topped the charts in many countries. Many critics hauled Vanessa-Mae for the video that was made for the 'Toccata  & Fugue' because it showed Vanessa-Mae on a tropical island playing her electric violin while standing in the surf of the ocean wearing a wet white dress clinging to her body. Besides this, classical purist expressed their disapproval of Vanessa-Mae style of mixing pop and classics saying that she renounced her classical background and talents for money and the referred to Vanessa-Mae with  disdain a 'The T-shirt violinist.' Despite the disdain and disapproval from purist and moral censors, fans and music lovers all over the world praised Vanessa-Mae for her dare to renew and her lively stage appearances.

After the release of the 'Violin Player,' Vanessa-Mae embarked on a hugely successful tour in the UK with 34 concerts in different cities during the summer of 1995. Later she extended the tour to the mainland of Europe, Asia and the American continents in 1996. In the USA, Vanessa-Mae caught attention when she jumped on a yellow cab during her promotion concert on Times Square, New York and and playing the National Anthem in the football stadiums of Wrigley Park and Comiskey park. Throughout 1995 and 1996, Vanessa-Mae appeared in many television shows from invitations all over the world and she also appeared in several summer rock festivals in Europe where she received standing ovations and acclaim from audiences that not necessarily belong to her natural target groups. Also many interviews were published in newspapers and magazines that gave her lots of attention. Peoples Magazine voted Vanessa-Mae as one of the 50 most beautiful people of the world. In the summer of 1996, Vanessa-Mae played at the G7 summit in Lyon. In 1996, Vanessa-Mae was nominated for Best Female Artist at the annual Brit Awards, as the first and only instrumentalist ever. 

What followed
During the period 1996-1999, Vanessa-Mae released 4 albums: 'The Classical Album 1,' Storm,' China Girl' - The Classical Album 2 and 'The Original Four Seasons' - The Classical Alum 3. With the repertoire varying from straight classical music, modern interpretations to pop, Vanessa-Mae shows that she is determined to pursue a dual career and that it is possible to do so. Throughout this period, Vanessa-Mae,  accompanied by her mother, a personal assistant, a personal visagist to apply her make-up and maintain it in perfect condition, tirelessly travelled around the world to promote her albums to the media and fans, doing television appearances and given many concerts in demanding tour schedules.

'The Classical Album 1' sold almost 500,000 copies in the UK alone in the first weeks that followed the release, and the album appeared in the Billboard album chart for several weeks, the only straight classical album ever to do so. This enormous success rendered Vanessa-Mae the 'Award For Best Selling Classical Artist' at the 1997 World Music Awards held in Monaco and the 'Award For Top International Artist' at the Silver Clef Awards held in London on June 22nd. Also in 1997, Vanessa-Mae was honoured with an invitation as the only Western artist to play in Hong Kong to celebrate the re-unification with China. At the turn of the day on June 30th, Vanessa-Mae became the last non-Chinese artist who played in Hong Kong under British rules and the first non-Chinese artist who played in Hong Kong after the re-unification to China performing her own composition 'Happy Valley - The Re-Unification Overture.'  On top of this period of successes and acclaim came one other great honour to Vanessa-Mae. On April 3rd of 1998, Vanessa-Mae made a break in her 'Storm On World Tour' to perform a special concert on Buckingham Palace during a closing ceremony for the ASEM II conference. In the presence of 26 heads of state and members of the Royal Family including HM Queen Elisabeth II, Vanessa-Mae played her 'Original Four Seasons' and excerpts from her album 'China Girl.' EMI added lustre to this invitation with a very limited release of a special 2cd box that hold the album 'Storm'' and 'China Girl' with a personal message from Vanessa-Mae that was presented to all delegate members of the conference. EMI made a film that followed Vanessa-Mae over 3 continents during the first leg of her 'Storm On World Tour.' Although broadcasted in many countries world wide with great success and acclaim, the documentary has not been issued for commercial release on video and DVD by EMI.

In January 1997, Vanessa-Mae experienced the first and only real set back in her career so far. Shortly before bringing her 'Classical Tour' to the UK, the members of the foreign orchestra that would accompany her during the concerts were refused work permits for the UK by the labour department after the union for professional musicians filed a complaint against Vanessa-Mae for not asking a UK orchestra to support her tour of concerts. Against all advice, Vanessa-Mae decided to go ahead with the tour with the support of only her mother on piano and a small ensemble of musicians made up of group of friends and good colleagues. Notwithstanding the adjustments and the cynical criticism that followed, the fans rewarded her with applause.    

Not only with her musical achievements did Vanessa-Mae catch media attention. She excelled in several events that made it clear that she is multi-talented. Vanessa-Mae starred on the catwalk showing designs of Jean Paul Gaultier including a special wedding dress in November 1998 in Paris; she made her own silent movie called 'The Violin Fantasy;' she debuted as actress by playing the role of Princess Zobeide in the television movie 'Arabian Nights' in 1999; and she performed at the opening gala for the Formula 1 season in Melbourne; Vanessa-Mae made field visits to Africa on several occasions in her role as good-will ambassador for the International Red Cross and performed in various charity concerts to raise money for International Red Cross and to support other charities as well, including a spectacular concert with firework in Val D'Isere to mark the turn of the century. Being a beautiful and photogenic girl, Vanessa-Mae acted in many fashion photo shoots for magazines showing clothes form her own closet most of the time. All the attention resulted in many stories and background articles published in newspapers and magazine all over the world.

Growing up brings emotions and changes in focus and view on life
After 1999, Vanessa-Mae slowed down her career a bit. Becoming an adult and falling in love are factors that caused the change in view on life and career and, subsequently broadened her focus. She had split with her mother since she became 21 in October 1999. Earlier that year in the late winter, Vanessa-Mae had met Lionel Catalan in Val D'Isere on a skiing break and both fell in love instantaneously. Interesting is the fact that Lionel, who is about 10 years older than Vanessa-Mae, had no idea at the time they first met that she was a world famous musician and celebrity. The relationship developed quickly and when Vanessa-Mae moved out of her family home to her own luxurious apartment nearby in Kensington, Lionel practically moved in with her. Today, Vanessa-Mae and Lionel are still a very happy couple and Lionel started his own wine trading company in London. The professional break with her mother caused a chillness in the private relation between the two as mother-daughter. Vanessa-Mae is known to be very close to her 2nd father Graham, who she considers as her real father.  

In October 2000, around her 22nd birthday, Vanessa-Mae's early 3 recording were re-released by EMI as a 3cd box under special license from Vanessa-Mae. This release was welcomed by many fans who had not been so fortunate to possess one or more of the original early recordings. In that year, Vanessa-Mae performed in a spectacular show at the inaugural 'Classical Brit Awards.' Early 2001, Vanessa-Mae fired Mel Bush as her manager with the comments that she needed a change after working together for so long with such great success. From then on, Vanessa-Mae managed her own career, making it clear that she stands for her own choices and priorities. Early summer of 2001, Vanessa-Mae's new album 'Subject To Change' was released. The title of the recording can been viewed as autobiographic and as a hint to all the changes that took place in Vanessa-Mae's life. Vanessa-Mae herself called the album and music a little schizophrenic. Throughout the second half of 2001 till winter 2002, Vanessa-Mae travelled around the world to promote her album and to bring her new music to her fans by giving concerts in 'The Tour For Change.' The promotion and tour, however, were less intense than in the previous years. By taking quite long breaks at regular intervals, Vanessa-Mae made it clear that she wanted to invest in her private life and spent time with Lionel, family and friends, a luxury she had denied herself throughout her teenage years, a heavy price she paid for the fame and wealth she had gained in her career, choices she still defends as being her own and that she would make again if possible. In 2001, Vanessa-Mae wins the award for 'Most Successful Crossover Artist' at the MTV Asia awards. In 2002, Vanessa-Mae acts in the opening ceremony of Paralympics held in Salt Lake City.

With the release of various versions of 'The Best Vanessa-Mae' collection cd's in 2002 came an end to the cooperation between Vanessa-Mae and EMI. Vanessa-Mae signed a contract with Sony Classics and released her first album 'Choreography' in the autumn of 2004 that was nominated for album of the year at the 2005 Classical Brit Awards. End 2004 and in 2005, Vanessa-Mae toured around the world again for promotion and concerts, but again in a very relaxed schedule. Vanessa-Mae's second album on the Sony label was originally scheduled for release in  2007 or 2008. Awaiting the release, Vanessa-Mae continued her Choreography tour, primarily in Europe, but in 2007 she also paid her first visit to India where she did 3 hugely successful concerts. The release of Vanessa-Mae's new album is now expected to take place in 2009 and might coincide with her forthcoming autobiography.

Throughout her career, Vanessa-Mae collaborated with various famous musicians. Vanessa-Mae played on one track on Janet Jackson's album 'The Velvet Rope' in 1997; she worked with George Martin for one song on a cd 'In My Life' with special arrangements of old Beatles songs; she joined the stage with groups like The Scorpions and The Back Street Boys; she participated together with many other musicians in experimental jazz session with Prince to produce an album called 'Xpectations' in 2002 - this cd has never been released but was available for a short time as mp3 file via the NPG Music Club; she produced and played on the album 'Flow Of Soul' together with the Japanese rock musician  Takuro. Also, Vanessa-Mae joined and participated in several promotion campaigns for high value commodities like  Siemens mobile phones, Mercedes C, Rover cars, The Oriental Mandarin Hotel group and Rado watches, indicating that she is seen a an interesting partner with irreproachable reputation by these organisations.

Till now, Vanessa-Mae received more than 40 platinum awards during her career.

More details on all important events in Vanessa-Mae life and career so are available in the Chronology section of this website. News on Vanessa-Mae will made available as soon as possible in the Vanessa-Mae news' page, and will be incorporated into this biography if necessary. New tour dates will be announced in the Vanessa-Mae news section and will added to  Tour dates of Vanessa-Mae. The text of this biography will be subjected to modifications from time to time.

Feedback on this biography will be highly appreciated.

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