Yulia (singer)
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (December 2007) |
Yulia |
|---|
Yulia (full name Yulia MacLean) is a Russian-born New Zealand crossover singer. Her first solo album 'Into The West' went platinum in its first week of sales in New Zealand, achieving four times platinum sales. She won two NZ Music Awards; 'Best female solo artist' and '42 Below' best selling album in New Zealand'. She has supported Amici and Russell Watson with two sold-out tours in Tokyo. Yulia's albums "Into the West" and "Montage" had three top 40 radio hits in New Zealand, "Into the West", "Angel" and "We're All Alone". She was also the lead singer in a pop duo with her husband Glyn MacLean, called the MacLeaNZ. Yulia has a contralto singing voice. [5]
Life
Yulia moved to New Zealand to live, from Russia in 2002.
Within two years Yulia learned to speak English, passed all of her senior high school exams at Cashmere High School in Christchurch and signed a recording deal with Sony Music New Zealand. She was taught by Cashmere High School's music department head Gary Thin and teacher Noeleen Penter.
Her first ever concert was in Christchurch with Ivan Rebroff where she received a standing ovation for her version of Ave Maria.
She was first discovered on regional television as a last minute subject for a ten minute segment on Good Living With Kerry Pierson on Christchurch's local television station CTV.
Gray Bartlett, co-director and owner of the Auckland-based promotion company Pacific Entertainment Limited, signed her to a six year worldwide sole agency deal but was ended early by Yulia and she was managed temporarily by Michael Glading, ex head of Sony NZ.
In 2007 Yulia met Glyn MacLean, 17 years her senior, director and owner of Oikos Music Group and signed to a management and music publishing deal. On Feb 10th 2008, Yulia married Glyn.
In 2008 Yulia was part of an internet scandal. Teenagers posted derogatory comments about her on several New Zealand forums, and Yulia's husband responded by sending the forum members threatening emails. It escalated and made the national news. [6]
Discography
Albums
- Into The West Special Christmas Edition (2004)
- Into The West (2004) #1 NZ (4x Platinum - 60,000+)
- Montage (2006) #1 NZ (2x Platinum - 30,000+)