There are moments in life that stay with you forever.
One of those moments for me was meeting a bright, talented girl named, Delta Goodrem, when she was just 8 years old.
Even at that young age, Delta had something very special. It wasn’t only her beautiful voice, although that was obvious from the beginning, it was her determination, her passion for music, and the spark in her eyes every time she sang. She loved performing. She loved storytelling through song and she was willing to work incredibly hard to improve this.
As her vocal coach and mentor from the age of 8 through to 21, I had the privilege of watching her grow not only as a singer, but as a young woman, songwriter, performer, and artist. Those years were filled with lessons, rehearsals, auditions, studio sessions, performances, radio interviews, laughter, and many conversations about dreams and goals. Stage shows at Songsalive! showcases with Stephen Kiely playing piano while Delta sang her newly written song, were stand outs.
People often see the glamour of success, but behind every successful artist are years of dedication, discipline, sacrifice, and persistence. Delta was always committed to learning and growing. She listened carefully, practiced constantly, and approached every opportunity with professionalism far beyond her years.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a vocal coach is helping a student discover their own unique sound and confidence. My role was never to change who Delta was, but to help nurture the natural talent already inside her. Together, we worked on vocal technique, breathing, interpretation, extensive range extension, stage presence, emotional connection, and the importance of authenticity in performance.
What stood out most was her ability to connect emotionally with music. Even as a child, Delta sang with sincerity and heart. She understood that music is not just about hitting notes, it is about making people feel something.
Over the years, I watched her develop into the extraordinary artist the world now knows. Seeing her rise to international success has been incredibly emotional and rewarding for me as a teacher. There is nothing quite like watching a student achieve their dreams.
As a vocal coach, experiences like this remind me why I love teaching. Every student who walks into a lesson brings potential, creativity, and individuality. Some students pursue professional careers, while others simply sing for the joy of it and both paths are equally valuable. Music builds confidence, self-expression, resilience, and connection.
My journey as a vocal coach has been filled with many wonderful students and unforgettable moments, being part of Delta’s early musical journey will always hold a very special place in my heart.
I am immensely proud of the artist, performer, and person she has become.
Her journey is proof that dreams can grow from very small beginnings, with talent, guidance, belief, dedication, and a whole lot of hard work.
And for me, it remains one of the greatest joys of my career to have witnessed that journey from the very beginning.
“Not only has it been an emotional journey for me as Delta’s vocal coach during her early formative years, but now, as the creator, author and co-songwriter of Busy Izzy and Friends, I find myself continuing that same passion, inspiring and guiding young children through music, creativity, kindness, confidence, healthy living, and positive life values through storytelling and song. Knowing that Busy Izzy and Friends is helping bring joy, encouragement, and important messages to children everywhere makes this moment feel incredibly special and deeply emotional indeed.” - Roxanne Kiely
#BusyIzzyandFriends #DeltaGoodrem #RoxanneKiely
