Record Giant Signs Kiwi Mum

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Janice Bateman – Here I Am: "A dream come true!"

When Janice Bateman appeared on TV2’s entertainment show  Opportunity Knocks as a naive 13-year-old, little did she know that the title of the show would become the catchphrase to her life’s dream.

Fast-foward a few years and this mother of two identical twin teenage daughters, has indeed found opportunity knocking on her door. The talented 49-year-old has fulfilled her life’s dream of recording her debut album which has been snapped up by No.8 Group UK and is being distributed by record giant EMI in New Zealand.

HERE I AM is a collection of 10 beautiful songs including Here I Am, And I Love You So, Tears In Heaven, I’d Rather Leave While I’m in Love, Words and L.O.V.E. – songs Janice holds dear to her heart.

“I hope it touches people’s hearts and that they get as much from listening to the album as I did recording it,” beams Janice. “And remember follow your heart reach for the stars and never give up!”

HERE I AM will be released into stores on April 25 as an ideal gift for Mother’s Day.

Janice discovered her talent for singing as a 10-year-old when she began lessons and in turn her talent was discovered by TV producers keen to share her beautiful voice with their New Zealand audiences.

As a 13-year-old, she appeared on Opportunity Knocks as well as the Ray Columbus-hosted New Faces variety show. By 14 she’d become a TV regular, performing on such entertainment shows as Smile. Christchurch born and raised, Janice pursued her passion for musical theatre, landing pivotal roles in productions including Chicago playing Roxie Hart.

She was to become a regular at the Court Theatre in Christchurch, finding herself in productions including Roger Halls Love Off the Shelf, Stephen Sondheim’s Side by Side and the supercharged Princess Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress,

Over the years Janice has also performed as a guest artist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra including the Andrew Lloyd Webber series.

In addition to this impressive catalogue of work, Janice has voiced several characters in the children’s Bumble series as seen on TV2.

No.8 Records managing director Nathan Graves says he’s delighted to have been able to been part of this inspirational project.

“Janice has a beautiful voice and the time is right for her to share it with all of New Zealand again.”

Highlights from Press Reviews:

“….brilliant…full of power and dramatisation…let there be no misunderstanding – the talent of Janice Bateman is not in question….. it is sufficient to say that every word was audible, every note was dynamic, and the audience loved it….she anchors herself centre-stage with great presence, belting out the vocals with conviction…Janice Bateman, a Court regular, turns splendidly brassy performance….engaging personality, well modulated singing voice…tremendous confidence and sings with authority….star of the production…came close to genius… pacy, supercharged presence…."