Kelli Brogan’s dream of becoming a professional singer has
gathered momentum since she was diagnosed with a brain aneurism last
year.
Last week, the 37-year-old from Melton got through the first round
of auditions for Best of the West, a competition to showcase talent in
the western suburbs.
Brogan, a school teacher, spent 21 years as a professional ballroom dancer.
She says that when she was diagnosed with an aneurism, her life was put into perspective.
“When you realise life might not be going to plan, you realise what you need to do,” she says.
“Singing is the one thing that makes me the happiest.”
Last November, Brogan had surgery to have the aneurism coiled.
“I was lucky it hadn’t ruptured – I had it coiled and had the problem solved,” she says.
‘‘It made me think about what I wanted out of my life and that my life might not have been as long.”
Now she’s ready to make her singing dream a reality.
Brogan impressed the judges with a rendition of Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were.
She was one of eight finalists chosen from 100 entrants.
“I was a little bit anxious and excited at the same time,” Brogan says.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, now I just think I’ll give it a go and do the best I can.”
Judges including musician Phil Ceberano and Melton deputy mayor
Bob Turner will choose a winner at the competition’s final at WestWaters
Hotel in Caroline Springs on September 21.
The winner will receive a career kickstarter package including ongoing mentoring and a professional photo shoot.
