July 12: Dutch singer and composer, Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation, is 39-years-old today.

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Sharon Janny den Adel was born on on 12 July 1974 in in Waddinxveen, South Holland, Netherlands. She traveled extensively in her youth, living in at least ten different countries. From the age of 14, she performed with various bands, including a blues rock band called Kashiro, before joining with Robert Westerholt in 1996 to form a band.
 

Den Adel never formally studied singing and stated in a 2006 interview that she had sung a short while in a choir and was mostly self-taught. She used to practice alone three or four hours per day.

Sharon has a mezzo-soprano range, though she has a light and lyric vocal quality for that range. Her highest note is found on the song "The Truth Beneath the Rose" and her lowest on "Empty Eyes.” Though one of her highest notes was in the song "The Cross,” electronic effects were used that make the notes sound higher than they were actually sung.

Together with her partner, Robert Westerholt, den Adel formed Within Temptation (initially called The Portal, though the name was changed before their first recording) in 1996. She has defined their work as epic and cinematic. Her vocals play a major role in the band's sound, despite having never received formal vocal training.

Before Within Temptation became famous, she worked for a fashion company, leaving after the band found success with their hit single "Ice Queen.” She utilises her fashion expertise by designing her stage costumes and the band's merchandise.

When asked if she prefers to sing in Dutch or English, den Adel said that she favours the latter because "Dutch just doesn't fit to our music style. It is also not the nicest language to sing in. Italian or Spanish would then be better options." Den Adel and long-term partner Robert Westerholt have three children together and they currently live near Hilversum, Netherlands.

The group has released five studio albums to date. The first single and music video from their next album are expected to be released in 2013. 

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For more about Sharon, visit this Website –

http://www.within-temptation.com/

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