Kimberley has been a professional singer and singing teacher since graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1991. Her first job with the internationally acclaimed vocal group ‘The Swingle Singers’ enabled her to travel the world, working with Chicago, Boston, Toronto and London Symphony orchestras as well as recording albums and appearing world-wide on radio and TV.
Kimberley can be heard on numerous Hollywood film soundtracks such as Evita, Phantom of the Opera, The Prince of Egypt, Romeo and Juliet and the musical movie ‘Nine’ starring Nicole Kidman.
She has appeared in many musicals such as ‘Chess’ and has sung in ‘Cats’, ‘Starlight Express’ (both West-End) and the Scandinavian Arena tour of ‘Fame’. She created the role of ‘Shirley’ in the British tour of 60’s musical ‘Glad all Over’ and has played the role of Carlotta in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in London’s West End. She continues to work as a session singer, mostly for BBC radio and TV, in London, performing regularly at the Proms events and performs in concerts all over Europe She has also toured the UK with the opera singer Russell Watson and is a founder member of the Sweden based vocal group ‘3’s Company’
In May 2016, Kimberley sang at the 90th birthday celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle, an honour to perform at such a spectacular event.
As a respected singing teacher and vocal coach, Kimberley has taught privately for over 25 years and specializes in leading workshops and running choirs in schools all over England and Sweden
In 2004 she set up her own theatre school ‘SITS’ in Stockholm, which is still going strong today!
In 2021 A group of her choir students took part in a 6 part TV series about ABBA with Dutch super stars ‘Nick and Simon’, recreating the beautiful song ‘I have a dream’ ( which was originally recorded with ABBA in 1979 by the then SIS school choir) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfYBNr7ORr8
In May 2021, 7 choir students were invited to sing on ABBA’s first album in 42 years, ‘Voyage’ thus cementing Stockholm International School Choir’s continued special relationship with the supergroup!
ABBA - Little Things https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASvd0qRi03o&list=RDASvd0qRi03o&start_radio=1
She has worked in mainstream education in the UK for many years and since arriving in Sweden has worked with Stockholm International School, Tanto School, Mother Goose International Pre-School, Futuraskolan, Bromma, Enskede, Huddinge and Nacka International Schools and British International Primary School.
I have been the theatre teacher at SITS Stockholm almost since the beginning, and it's the most rewarding thing to do. My own career on stage began at the age of four but eventually I decided that I preferred directing and teaching. I have studied theatre at both upper secondary level and university, where I also did a degree in musicology. Teaching at SITS, with such an amazing team and fantastic kids, has given me some incredible experiences. From huge shows at Nalen and Berns to equally important moments, where I have seen the kids blossom and grow in my classroom. Seeing how theatre helps children find a way to express themselves and grow in confidence, is to me what SITS is all about, and having a lot of fun doing it!
We are always looking for competent and enthusiastic people to join our team in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo. If you are interested in becoming part of our team, please contact the Principal, Kimberley Akester with your CV.