About Gail Issenman

Gail Issenman has been immersed in the music industry for over 30 years. A singer, songwriter, recording artist and musical coach, she has excelled in every area of endeavor.

Her vocal training, besides the usual University degree, includes intense vocal instruction with Carmen Mehta (1980-1991), and 3 summers of master classes at the prestigious Mozarteum International Summer Academy in Salzburg, Austria, where in 1988, she was a finalist in the International Opera / Operetta Competition.

Some of her most noted and diverse performing ventures include:

• soloist performance of Japanese Proverbs & Meditations with Arts Nova (1988);
• head vocalist with “The Eleventh Hour,” a rock band (1992-1995);
• guest vocalist with the African show Kalimba, Kalimba! (1995);
• lead soprano and assistant choir director for Shaare Zedek Synagogue Choir (1987-1990);
• and singer of the National Anthem at the National Capital Air Show in Ottawa (1989-2002).

In 1996, Gail produced and recorded her first CD, Bridge to the Volcano, which includes 10 original songs, and 4 classic jazz songs.

Gails' second CD was released in March, 2004. A mother of three young children, and dismayed with some of the common fair her kids listened to, Gail began what became a family-friendly project, Swinging the ABC’s.

Swinging the ABC’s is an upbeat jazzy take on very familiar, and not-so-familiar kiddie favorites. Gail's husband, Robin Chemtov, is the lead pianist, as well as producer and arranger. Gail’s kids, Max, Beatrice and Clara provided the artwork for the inside jacket. And Gail provides the masterful vocals.

Swinging... Too! was released in October 2005 - again, with the cooperation of her husband, some amazing local musicians, and the fanciful artwork of her children.

Around the same time, Gail also began to produce local talent. In 2005, she orchestrated Montrealer Matthew Stern's first CD and launch concert.

From 2004 to 2009, Gail was the head of the Pop Vocal Studio of Vanier College in St. Laurent, Quebec. In 2006, at a students' request, she pulled together College Rock Showcase 2006, a highly-successful evening presenting 5 new up-and-coming Montreal bands at Club KolaNote. Later in the year, she presented Autumn Musique, a showcase of young new singer/songwriters, also at KolaNote.

Gail and her family live in Montreal, Quebec, where she continues to produce, perform and coach.