Canadian-born Shanelle Fernando is known as one of Sri Lanka’s most passionate and versatile vocalists, captivating audiences for over 25 years with her extraordinary talent. From her earliest days as a child performer, Shanelle’s dedication to the art of music has shone through, earning her national recognition when she won the prestigious all-island Talent competition Star Search 2000 at the age of 15, launching her into the professional music industry.

Trained from a young age in Classical, Broadway, Pop, Rock, Gospel, and Jazz styles, under the skillful guidance of Mary Ann David, and later on through her studies at Indiana University, USA, Shanelle has performed across a rich spectrum of musical genres. Her journey has seen her perform in local Broadway musical adaptations of “Annie” and “Oklahnoma”, to forming the all-girl group “Teen Angels,” at age 12 with two of her singing buddies, and later on, acting in professional theatre productions and musical shows conducted by both Indu Dharmasena and Jith Pieris respectively.

Shanelle has performed at private and corporate events, cultural shows abroad, and alongside renowned artists such as Kenny G and Nicole Scherzinger. She was chosen to serenade international dignitaries including Miss World 1996 when she visited Sri Lanka, and has represented Sri Lanka internationally, singing in multiple languages, including Hindi, French, and Japanese, before various Presidents and Prime Ministers both locally and overseas. Shanelle has also recorded over 35 commercials for both TV and radio.

A passionate educator as well as performer, Shanelle founded Elle’s Studio in 2010, specializing in private vocal coaching, guiding students of all ages to master the art and technique of singing, while, fostering confidence, stage presence, and personal expression. She also mentors young talent, judges competitions, and helps students pursue professional performance opportunities.

With formal academic qualifications including a Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications, and diplomas in Music and Theatre, Shanelle’s zeal for music ultimately over-powers any other career she’s ever had! With a talent defined by passion, skillfulness, and dedication, Shanelle Fernando continues to mesmerize audiences with her expressive voice and enchanting artistry.