Principal (Vocal Teacher)
By the completion of High School, Claire had established herself as a talented vocalist and dancer having studied at the Tracey-Lea Dancing Academy. Claire was the lead in school productions including “Anything Goes” and “The Little Shop Of Horrors” many Solo Regional performances and had two Solo Performances in the Schools Spectacular at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Claire has entertained professionally with MJM Productions, Oz Force, Conrad & Co & Walt Disney Productions in several seasonal shows. She has appeared and sung with Jon English at the 2WS Carols by Candlelight at Parramatta Stadium in front of 40,000 people; has taken key roles in Razzle Dazzle, Sounds of Summer, Australian Rhythm and Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Australia’s Wonderland and performed at the Darling Harbour Christmas Pageant. In this time Claire worked with industry professionals such as Spud & Jenny Murphy, Chandelle Ayres, William Forsythe and Sam Shallome to name a few.
A Highlight of Claire’s career was the opportunity to perform with Rolf Harris on his “Rolf Walks the Country Road” tour throughout Australia, where she joined Rolf in Duets and featured in her own solo singing spot. Claire would complete her Performing Arts Studies at the University of New South Wales after this tour, continuing to perform a variety of shows across clubs in NSW where she would perform and choreograph several club productions.
Claire commenced teaching in 1993, teaching at Mount Pritchard Public School and her own high school, Ashcroft High School. By 1995 Claire had established herself as both a teacher and performer across Sydney. In 1995 she successfully auditioned for a contract to perform on the TX Kareylia cruise ship where she would perform as lead vocalist for the next 6 months. Followed up by another successful contract on the Southern Cross Cruise ship. These experiences would lead Claire to marry Viktor Abramkanov in 1997.
1998 saw the opening of Claire and Co Studios. The Studio commenced with six students but by the end of 1998 had grown to 25 and performing the studios first production at Ashcroft High school. By 1999 and with Viktor joining her to teach, the studio had grown to 50 students and included both vocal coaching and piano tuition.
Claire has dedicated herself to charities performing in telethons, Aid Benefits, Ronald McDonald House, Stewart House, Rotary & Lions Club functions to name a few. Claire has instilled this generosity and community spirit into her students. Many of her students perform for local nursing homes and several charities to date including Ronald Macdonald House.
By 2003, Claire recognised the limited opportunity for 2-6 year olds to gain exposure to music and commenced developing the highly successful music for minor program. Claire’s dedication to developing children aged 2-6 has since seen the Music for Minors program transformed into a mobile program delivered to schools in the area.
Claire has achieved great heights and with the support of her husband Viktor, Claire and Co studios now boasts approximately 250 Students. The quality of students produced by Claire and Co studios is exemplified by the Australian Music Examination Board Results across all disciplines including piano, vocal training, guitar and theory and the multitude of success at club and shopping centre talent quests, eisteddfods and local competitions.
Claire’s greatest achievement is her children Kiara and Anthony who also share their parent’s passion for Music. Claire continues to teach at William Carey Christian School in Prestons and perform for corporate events and private functions. She has mentored students to achieve great heights ranging from HSC performances to Schools Spectacular and the Talent Identification & Development Projects. Claire’s individual achievement coupled with the Success of Claire and Co Studios exemplifies the outstanding career she has had to date and her expected success to come.
