Her former students include some of the world’s best-known film stars yet she remained deeply connected to life on a remote Scottish archipelago.
Tributes have been paid to “inspirational” and brilliant Scottish voice teacher who taught some of the world’s most famous stars. Orkney-based voice teacher Kristin Linklater after her death passed away on Friday at the age of 84.
She spent much of her early life in Harray, was a world-renowned tutor, having worked with internationally acclaimed actors such as Bill Murray and Patrick Stewart and Angela Basset, and was previously Professor of Theatre at Columbia University, New York. In her later years, Ms Linklater founded the Voice Centre in Quoyloo.
Ms Linklater’s death was confirmed in a post by the Kristin Linklater Voice Centre page on Facebook.
It read: “The family and friends of Kristin Linklater are sad to announce her death at the age of 84 at Housegarth, Quoyloo, Orkney in the early hours of Friday, June 5.
“An inspirational writer, teacher of voice and Shakespeare, she helped a generation of performers, artists and people from all walks of life, to free their natural voice.”
More than 180 comments paid tribute to the teacher. Among them was leading Scottish actor Brian Cox who wrote: ”This is heartbreaking! I promised myself once this pandemic was over I would visit Kristin in Orkney!”
Recalling his first meeting with her, he added: “When I was 16, I was working at Dundee Rep. The then director of productions, Bill Davis invited me to attend what he described as ‘a voice class’. I had absolutely no idea what a voice class was.
“He said the class would be taken by, as he described her, this genius young voice teacher Kristin Linklater.
“So I attended her class not knowing what to expect . . . and it changed my life. . . forever. I knew whatever school this young woman taught, that’s where I had to go. It was LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).
“I got in. I was so full of anticipation at the prospect of working with this amazing wunderkind.
“Full of anticipation at the prospect of working with Kristin. But! Blow me! Six weeks into my arrival, Kristin left for New York.
“Needless to say I was a little heartbroken. Kristin and I did meet up over the years. She always described me as her ‘lost student’.”
“Her presence has never left me. I will visit Orkney! But sadly only in memoriam.” Ha!ha! Meh, meh mehhh! Hey hey may may maaay
The signature sound of a Kristin voice class! RIP Kirstin.”
Actor and artistic director Tom Todoroff wrote: “The greatest of Warriors. Her contribution to us all – to the world is inestimable. I thank you everyday, Kristin.”
In 2014 Prince Harry’s then-girlfriend Cressida Bonas took a voice coaching course with Ms Linklater on Orkney. The then 25-year-old aspiring actress enrolled in the private vocal training school.
Ms Linklater also taught Donald Sutherland, Alfre Woodard, Mary Tyler Moore, Courtney Vance, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Rockwell and Bernadette Peters.
Her son is actor Hamish Linklater, who appeared on the CBS sitcom The Crazy Ones.
Her father was novelist Eric Linklater, and her mother was social activist, Marjorie Linklater.
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