Celebrated vocalist steps up for Street Choir

She’s the celebrated Scottish vocalist and session musician who has performed with world famous acts such as Prince, Donny Osmond and Paul Young.

Now the energetic and talented Mary Kiani is bringing her expertise to the Sydney Street Choir and already making a profound impact.

Her lifelong passion is the transformative power of music, but it was the suggestion of a friend nearly 30 years ago that led to a path she never expected – community choirs.

Mary Kiani – loving her new role as co-director of the Sydney Street Choir.

Ms Kiani’s first choir was in her native Glasgow with just four members but as it grew to 26 singers who performed small gigs, she quickly felt the satisfaction of leading an ensemble.

“Taking the limelight off myself made it more enjoyable for me,” she said.

“It was about everybody and I kind of liked that.”

In 1997, Ms Kiani moved to Australia following the success of her single I Imagine which became a beloved anthem particularly within the LGBTQI community.

By 2009, she had settled here permanently with her family but faced a conundrum many artists do: how to make a meaningful living through music when record sales were no longer a reliable income source.

Knowing that singing was her life, the answer was community choirs.

She began conducting in Sydney for With One Voice which encourages would-be performers with no auditions or singing experience required.

Ms Kiani’s journey eventually led her to the Sydney Street Choir in December and, although initially hesitant to apply for the role of co-director, she discovered the choir members themselves were her biggest champions.

“They all started saying ‘We want Mary! We want Mary!’” she laughed.

Eventually she stepped into the co-director role alongside Suze Pratten, a partnership she treasures, as they choose songs and teach the appreciative group
“Sharing the role means I can enjoy it more,” she said.

“We split the work and it just makes everything flow better.”

For Ms Kiani, just like the choir members, the power is not only in the melodies and lyrics but the priceless connections the Sydney Street Choir fosters.

“When you’re singing, you’re not thinking about all the other stuff in your life,” she said candidly.

“When I’m standing up there singing, I can forget everything. And I know it’s the same for the choir members.

“No matter how hard today is, tomorrow could be better. Just keep singing.
“Many of them are dealing with homelessness, bills they can’t pay, family problems but for the time they’re here, they can just be in the moment.”

The choir continually provides a space where members feel safe and supported, Ms Kiani said.

“They know if they need someone to confide in, they have people here who will listen,” she explained.

“It’s all kept within the community and if there’s a way to help, we help.

“I think we’d just like to send out a message to other people who might be feeling a bit isolated that they can come and join our choir. And they don’t necessarily have to be a singer.

“You just have to look at the choir’s smiles. They leave here feeling lighter, a bit more positive. It gives them a sense of belonging.”

As humble as she is gifted, Ms Kiani has also felt a personal transformation.

“I’m no longer just a singer or a pop star. I’m just a mother, a human being, a part of something bigger here. And that means everything to me.”