LINALINA
It’s not often that reality TV
competitions produce noteworthy
artists but sometimes there are
exceptions. Lina is one of these.
Growing up in Acre, Israel, Lina
developed a passion for music
from an early age.“When I was
four years old at Kindergarten we
had music class once a week,” says
Lina. “On the second week the
teacher told my parents ‘she has an
amazing musical ear and I want to
develop that.’ I started to go weekly
to the conservatory in my town
and get two hours of theory and
tried to play several instruments.”
With strong pop influences it was
only a matter of time before she
started penning her own songs, her
first was written at the tender age
of six, when she was challenged to
write a song for a telenovela.
After dreaming of performing for
a living, Lina gave up her place at
university when she was nineteen
in order to audition for the Israel
version of The Voice. The risk paid
off. Her first performance hit a
quarter of a million YouTube views
within three days and she went on
to win the competition.
It’s not just the public that have
been charmed by her infectious
creations. She can now boast the
likes of Alisha Keys and Will Smith
among her followers.
Having recently supported
Queen, a certain guitarist might
also be classed as a fan. “It was one
of the most beautiful experiences
that I’ve ever had,” she says.
“Realising after the last song wasfinished that Brian May was on
stage filming me, it was like, I was
screaming!’
Finally, Lina’s advice to aspiring
performers is “dream big because
its free!” Based on her success and
what will no doubt be coming her
way in future it seems like a great
motto to live by.INTRODUCING...
“It was one of the most
beautiful experiences that
I’ve ever had.”Name: Leena Courtney Makhoul
Age: 24
Location: United States/ Israel
Style: Pop/Dance
Look out for: I Wore it Better, single
out now
Web: linaofficial.comWinning Israel’s version of The Voice is just the start for this talented pop star
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Fern Dunn