Chelsea Bonanno
If you are in search of a session musician for your song recording, a musical entertainer for your wedding or function, or perhaps a singing teacher, look no further than Chelsea Bonanno - a performer and musical virtuosos based in Sydney, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, eager to gain work and to be promoted in the fields of musical theatre, opera, session music, songwriting, gigs, corporate entertainment, musical collaborations and vocal coaching.
About
Musical Theatre
Chelsea’s love for performing arts began at the age of 8 in musical theatre. Acting Antics provided pivotal growth in Chelsea’s stage presence through 15 holiday program performances over 4 years, and later extensive involvement as an assistant director under the guidance of Deborah and Paul Percy. Notable theatre roles include Mabel in Pirates Of Penzance, Jenny Lind in Barnum, and the Cosette Understudy in Les Miserables, in which she honourably performed alongside Peter Cousens and Sam Ward. Chelsea has also performed in other musicals including Mary Poppins, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Cannibal. Having graduated from The Australian Institute of Music with a Bachelor of Music (Musical Theatre) in 2024, Chelsea remains eager to take to the professional stage with her passion for the wondrous storytelling that is musical theatre.
Gigs
Weddings, birthdays, pubs, shopping centres, corporate functions and events are settings in which Chelsea showcases a wide range of her contemporary and classical music and songwriting abilities. She has performed at numerous gigs, particularly in proud partnership with musicians Jake Edgley, Alex Gibson and Clancy Anderson. Chelsea has also featured in the backing vocals section for artists including Dinley Jones, WARTABAR, Evelyn Vania and Odisho. Previously, she has appeared on the recently built ‘Snow Concert Hall’ stage for it’s opening night in a jazz performance featuring singer Liam Budge and musicians Christopher Pound and Wayne Kelly. Chelsea currently continues performing at multiple gigs as a freelance musician and would be honoured to be contacted by you to be your musical entertainment provider at your next event!
Opera
Opera singing is a highly notable specialty in Chelsea’s repertoire, which has stemmed since the age of 15 after being cast in Barnum as Jenny Lind (Swedish Nightingale Opera Singer). She has made many appearances in opera settings including soiree’s run by Carl Rafferty of “Opera By Candlelight”, and the Andrea Bocceli pre-and-post show entertainment with “In The Park Events” located in Sydney’s Olympic Park. Chelsea is a passionate soprano who enjoys showcasing the higher-end and angelic colours of her voice.
University Projects
While studying at The Australian Institute of Music, Chelsea was heavily and willingly involved in many university projects, both collaborative with staff and students as well as solo projects. Her early days at AIM included constructing choir ensembles and arranging harmonies alongside Wendy Dixon, and stage managing the musical Cannibal (whilst simultaneously undertaking a stage role) with director Dr Paul Geddes and piano accompanist Brad Miller. Chelsea has been involved as a backing vocalist and supporting character role in numerous student recitals and showcases, including recent Australian Idol contestant Dinley Jones. Chelsea indulged her deepest focus in her solo projects, including her cabaret “In Loving Memory Of…” and her recital “Standby…”, both self-devised musicals written from scratch by the individual student. Chelsea gained high regard for her work and is proud to have showcased many genres and moods of music in which her vocal range showcases (work which you can find on Chelsea’s social media platforms).
Other Experience
Chelsea’s confidence and professionalism would not have developed without the expertise and guidance of sensational vocal coaches, including Jenny Sawer, Theresa Reiner, Nicholas Gentile, Dan Hammill, Wendy Dixon, Sam Walton, Carl Rafferty, Marta Nowicka, Dr Paul Geddes, Brad Miller and David McLeod.
Chelsea has not only taught privately to singular students, but has also taken groups of young children under her wings in group musical theatre classes through Acting Antics, where she constructs a performative layout with upbeat and feel-good theatre tunes and directs a class performance to be presented to their loved ones.
In 2016, Chelsea made an appearance on the X Factor Live Auditions alongside Maria Tsiokantas in duo group ‘Affinity’, which is highlighted as a major growth experience as a singer and performer.
Chelsea is a proud founder of the ‘Moonlight Charity Concert’ - a musical showcase (involving multiple musical acts) to raise funds for ‘Kids Cancer Council’ which was first introduced in 2018 during Chelsea’s final year of school, and continues nowadays as a yearly concert at Canberra Grammar School.
As a major focus of her musical career and development, Chelsea is currently under the process of recording original music, to be released in the near future. These are projects which have been worked on for many years, and are due to be heard for everyone to enjoy. Please revisit the page to be kept up to date on the development of Chelsea’s original music.
Repertoire & CV
If you would like to hire Chelsea to perform at an upcoming gig or corporate event, please take a look at her contemporary and classic repertoire lists and contact her via the contact portal towards the bottom of the page.
Please click the button below to view Chelsea’s curriculum vitae, which includes her complete work history and performance experience.
