KAREN LINKER
HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER
PRIVATE EVENTS PERFORMER & VOCAL COACH
Musical Background
With several generations of musicians in my family, perhaps the most notable being the opera singer and La Scala veteran, Maria Linker, it was probably inevitable that I would develop a love of music at an early age.
After many years playing a variety of wind and string instruments (I still play the clarinet), I began focusing on voice, and was singing semi-professionally by the age of 16.
My first and toughest gig was singing in a working men’s club in East London. I knew from that evening on that I wanted to sing professionally, but I certainly didn’t foresee life as a Hong Kong Jazz singer/Rock and Pop singer.
MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY
It seemed my dream might come true when, after a recording session with my first band at a studio in London, I received a call from a producer who was visiting from the US, had heard me singing, and wanted to meet me and my parents.
The result of that meeting, which I attended with my father, was an offer to join a 6 piece all-girl band, which would require me to move to L.A.
To my dismay, my parents said they wouldn’t allow me to go to the US, nor support my attempts at a career in music, unless I obtained a “Plan B” qualification to fall back on.
My “Plan B” ended up being a Law degree, which I supplemented with professional qualifications and training.
Despite my initial reluctance to pursue a career outside of music, I discovered that I enjoyed practicing Law and spent the next 10 years working at two large international Law firms, one based in Hong Kong, where I became a Partner.
LAWYER & HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER
My colleagues were supportive of my music, and so I practised Law weekdays and became a Hong Kong Jazz singer at weekends, performing live music in Hong Kong at bars, hotels and also at weddings, with a fabulous Hong Kong wedding band.
Despite enjoying my legal practice, somehow the nagging feeling that I’d “sold out” and should return to my musical roots never left me, and eventually I resigned from my partnership position & moved to Australia with my husband to rethink my longer term career goals.
My career was happily interrupted by the arrival of two beautiful children, and I didn’t at that point anticipate returning to Hong Kong, nor returning to my career as either a Hong Kong lawyer or Hong Kong Jazz singer!
AUSTRALIA AND BACK TO HONG KONG
Towards the end of my time in Melbourne I began performing at private events again, and in 2012 I was delighted to return with my family to Hong Kong, where I re-ignited my music career as a Hong Kong Jazz singer and vocal coach.
I was fortunate enough to meet some American tourists/musicians at one of my events and, through them, I met many other musicians in LA, Florida and Las Vegas.
I was given the opportunity to train further with a world class vocalist and well-known celebrity vocal coach in the U.S., and then subsequently to collaborate with other singers, musicians and industry professionals from the West coast, U.S., over the course of several trips.
These new connections enabled me to record and produce video for some of my own work and fuelled my enthusiasm to write more of my own material, which I have recently started uploading to Spotify and other digital music streaming platforms.
In 2018, I decided to resume my former vocal coaching practice, alongside my performance work, and opened my studio to voice students.
Hong Kong JAZZ SINGER and vocal coach Hong Kong giving singing lessons Hong Kong
MY LOYAL CLIENTS INCLUDE
Karen Linker, Hong Kong Jazz Singer, Private Events Performer and Vocal Coach Hong Kong
CLIENT COMMENTS
RESIDENCY WORK AS A HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER
I won my first residency as a Hong Kong Jazz singer by cold-calling a popular music venue in Hong Kong’s main entertainment district.
The manager told me they weren’t interested in live music but at the request of a gentleman sitting at the bar I sang a few verses A Cappella and was hired on the spot for a 6 month residency by that gentleman, who happened to be the owner of the venue.
Other residencies and regular gigs followed, at most of Hong Kong’s most notable music venues, restaurants and Hong Kong social clubs.
My performances as a Hong Kong Jazz singer led to a large portfolio of private clients, including one of Hong Kong’s best-known families, who began hiring me regularly to perform at their home.
Through a network of referrals and the support of friends and venues, my private events work took off, and, in addition to performing as a Hong Kong Jazz Singer at Hong Kong’s most popular hotels, bars and clubs, I began singing regularly at Weddings and other private events.
CURRENT PERFORMANCE VENUES
These days, my schedule as a Hong Kong Jazz Singer is taken up with private engagements booked well in advance, so I do not take casual work in any of our fantastic Hong Kong bars, clubs, hotels and restaurants.
However, I have taken up long term residency positions at some of my favourite venues in recent years, and hope to do so again in due course.
As a Hong Kong Jazz Singer and private events performer, I provide live music in Hong Kong at Weddings, Balls, Dinner Galas, Hong Kong Social Club events, Corporate functions, office parties, birthday parties and other private celebrations and ticketed events.
In addition to my performance work as a Hong Kong Jazz Singer, I write and record my own songs and you can find some of my work on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and other music streaming platforms.
MORE THAN A HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER
Although I am frequently booked and advertised as a Hong Kong Jazz singer, my repertoire spans many other genres.
I am regularly engaged to sing at private parties and functions, including Hong Kong Social club events, School Balls, Charity Galas, Weddings, Birthday celebrations and Corporate events.
In addition to Jazz & Blues, I also sing Pop (old and current), Soul, R&B and Soft Rock.
As a Hong Kong Jazz Singer and resident, I play most of my events with first class professional freelance musicians from Hong Kong and Macau.
Additionally, I have a dedicated Wedding Band based in Hong Kong, and we enjoy performing on these very special occasions.
I have a voice that is a little unusual, especially in Asia. It is a deep powerful voice and I have a natural rasp. Whilst I would never claim to be in her league, I am often told my voice is similar to that of Tina Turner. I enjoy the variety of genres and songs that my voice allows me perform.
As a Hong Kong Jazz singer, I have, over the years, performed at most of the better known Hong Kong live music venues.
At the beginning of my career as a Hong Kong Jazz singer, I chose not to work with agents, due to negative comments about my weight, age and so forth. I felt that conforming to shallow & irrelevant preferences would make me a poor role model for my daughters.
So, I chose to go it alone, and although it was a tough path to take, I am proud to have built a large and loyal client portfolio, performing a busy schedule of engagements through repeat bookings and recommendations.
I'M A HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER WHO ALSO SINGS ROCK! THIS VIDEO WAS SHOT IN LAS VEGAS & IS ONE OF MY OWN COMPOSITIONS
VOCAL COACHING
FROM HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER TO VOCAL COACH HONG KONG
Another very important aspect of my music career, is my practice as a vocal coach in Hong Kong, which has gone from strength to strength in recent years, thanks to a constant stream of referrals.
I am a full, accredited member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (U.S.) recognised in their Teachers Directory, and a full member of The Association of Teachers of Singing (UK) and VASTA. I am currently studying for a Masters Degree in Vocal Pedagogy and have received multiple awards for my work as a singing tutor.
I coach and mentor a large and varied portfolio of talented clients, ranging from young amateur singers to other adult music industry professionals, including label signed local artists.
Three of my younger clients have secured roles in televised productions in the US.
You can find out more about my work and passion as a vocal coach on the relevant page of this website, or by contacting me through email to find out more.
CHARITABLE CAUSES CLOSE TO MY HEART
Last but certainly not least, I am actively involved, in my capacity as a Hong Hong Jazz singer, with a number of charities both in Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia.
I am a Music Ambassador and Music Programme Director for the registered HK charity Angels For Children, with whom I’ve worked for over 5 years.
I also enjoy relationships with ImpactHK, Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, and Daughters of Cambodia, for which charity I organise, host and perform a large fund raising event every November.
My charity performances are of course donated, but they form an important part of my annual performance schedule as a Hong Kong Jazz Singer.
I have enjoyed so many wonderful experiences and friendships during my 16 years living in Hong Kong and I am keen to give back to our community whenever I have the opportunity to do so.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have a deep, powerful, raspy voice (often compared to Tina Turner, although I don’t claim to be in her league!) and I sing Jazz, Blues, Motown, Soul, Pop (current and classic) and Soft Rock. I also perform tribute shows with a dedicated tribute band, incorporating cinematic style footage, interesting and anecdotal narrative and, of course, live performances of the work of the artists whose work is being celebrated. Current tribute shows celebrate the talent of Adele, Tina Turner, Pink and Amy Winehouse.
Absolutely! I have my own studio and own enough equipment to set up for any indoor or outdoor event, for up to 1,000 guests. I offer deeply discounted rates for equipment hire for any event at which I am engaged to perform. I have several sound systems and can set up in an office conference room just as easily as I can set up in a hotel grand ballroom. My band is always comprised of Hong Kong’s finest musicians and I can supply any line up from a duo to a 12 piece band, depending on client preference and budget.
I would say that my time is divided pretty evenly between both! I view myself as a Hong Kong Jazz Singer and Private Events Performer, first and foremost, but I also love to share information and my love of singing with those who are following a similar musical path, and I am a confident and committed vocal tutor to my clients.
BOOK KAREN AS YOUR PRIVATE HONG KONG JAZZ SINGER OR VOCAL COACH.
Email: karenlinkervocalist.com.au
Karen is a top Hong Kong Jazz Singer and one of Hong Kong’s busiest and most in-demand Wedding, Private/Corporate Event Performers and Vocal Coaches. For a performance that will add something really special to your event, contact Karen to discuss your live music requirements and get a quote. On the other hand, if you want to do the singing yourself and need help from a well known Hong Kong Jazz Singer & vocal specialist, contact Karen to arrange a carefully tailored programme based on your individual experience and singing goals. Karen is renowned for her patient, yet dynamic and engaging style of coaching, and has an extensive client portfolio, ranging from absolute beginners to label signed recording artists.
Get in touch to see how Karen can help you develop your voice and performance.