A SOPRANO has “put Jersey on the map” in China with her rendition of a classical crossover song which was streamed to millions of viewers in the country.
Georgi Mottram’s rendition of Time To Say Goodbye was featured on the “Sound of the Spring: Worldwide Chinese New Year Performances”, a concert at which the Islander performed alongside famous Chinese artists.
Now based in London and a regular host of the JEP Pride of Jersey Awards, Ms Mottram has performed across the globe both as a solo artist and with her group, Ida Girls.
Her experience includes appearances in the West End and on Broadway, and she has also sung for Prince Edward at Windsor Castle.
It was at one of her shows in London that she caught the eye of a Chinese producer, who invited her to appear on television.
Speaking to the JEP about having a potential new fanbase of millions, and how her Jersey roots have shaped her musical journey and her plans to perform live in China, Ms Mottram said:: “It was wonderful to be asked chosen to sing Time to Say Goodbye. It is an incredible song that I have been performing for many years, so it feels very organic.
“And I felt honoured to be alongside so many famous Chinese artists, musicians and dancers.”
Ms Mottram added: “It was cool to put the Island on the map in China as well. As my performance was being streamed, my biography was coming up and being translated into Chinese, which alerted that demographic to Jersey and how wonderful it is.”
The former Hautlieu student said: “It’s always very, very cool to be representing Jersey.
“The show I featured on has been running for four years and is loved by millions of Chinese, overseas Chinese and audiences who love Chinese culture all over the world.”
A specific arrangement of the famous song was written for the show by an American producer, Isaac Moore, who worked with Ms Mottram on her album Glimmer last year.
“It was cool to have a different rendition of the song, which brought a bit of newness to it,” she said.
Ms Mottram explained that the producers were all “super happy” with her performance – and that they were in talks about potential live concerts with an orchestra in China later this year or in 2025.
She is also scheduled to perform in front of tens of thousands at Trafalgar Square in February for Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Jersey singer also had some kind words for her home, saying: “I don’t think it would have been possible for me to be a musician without the support I had from the Jersey community, which is just so just very, very special.”
She highlighted the influence of her teacher, Imogen Nichols, who “paved the path”, and the support from the Jersey Arts Trust, the Paul Brown Memorial Fund and the John Locke Trust.
“Singing is always something I’ve wanted to do. I could sing before I could talk. I was quite a shy child, but I always sang to myself, in the playground and in the garden. I was always singing. I was in love with it then and I’m still in love with it now.”
Ms Mottram left Hautlieu School at the age of 16 to study at Chethams School of Music in Manchester before graduating from Trinity College of Music in London.
