Introducing Chanson de l’Ange, a CD of all original music inspired by the novel of the same name by author Paisley Swan Stewart. Chanson de l’Ange deftly combines Classical Crossover, Pop and atmospheric musical styles, drawn from the pages of Paisley’s epic Phantom of the Opera retelling.
Chanson de l’Ange features original instrumental and vocal selections; with orchestrations by composer Nathan Allen Pinard, lyrics and melody by Bonnie Anne Pinard.
We are pleased to feature the talents of these guest artists:
Toni Gibson
guest vocalist for The Bleeding Rose
Toni was born on the 12th of July 1992 in Wellington, New Zealand. She lives with her family on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand, Mum (Sue), Dad (Shane) and younger brother Michael and she has just finished her last year at Paraparaumu College. Toni's dream is to one day become a classical/crossover artist and to make albums. She would love to perform with artists such as Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Hayley Westenra, Charlotte Church and loads more. Toni one day hopes to play the part of Christine in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera'.
Toni loves all kinds of music, her favourites being classical/crossover, rock and theatre music. Toni's inspirations are Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hayley Westenra, Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, Amy Lee from Evanescence and especially Adam Lambert. Toni has been singing and performing since the age of 7.
Michele Karmin
Guest vocalist for Firelight Through Diamonds
Michele Karmin is an alternative, soul singer/songwriter and electronic artist. She shifted musical directions in the last few years after teaching herself piano and embarking on a new writing approach. This effort of re-discovery proved to be the missing piece of her evolving artistry as it catapulted her to a new height as an established songwriter and musician.
Previously, she independently released three albums from 2006-2008, however it wasn't until the 2009 release of her first piano composition, "Six Years" that Karmin set the mark for the future of her sound. The single garnered much attention for its haunting melody, and soulful vocals which led Karmin to her first music video and debut sound. The track was shortly followed up by the recording and release of "I Need", a lounge style ballad, with an ear-grabbing piano hook and emotive delivery. Karmin's sound has been compared to the iconic female artists Jewel and Tori Amos, yet her style of performance is uniquely her own, combining her early influences of alternative rock with an innate soul behind her voice.
Karmin began touring the NJ, Philadelphia and New York scene as a solo act for the first time in 2009 . She opened up for singer/songwriter Ryan Cabrera on an east coast tour, performing at various music venues that stretched from Florida to Boston. In late 2010 Karmin teamed up with DJ Tom Colontonio and wrote "Colors of Tear" which was released on the European trance label Spinnin' Records. The single reached the top 100 of the trance charts in the first week and was promoted by Armin Van Burrenn in his State of Trance and Judge Jules BBC radio. Karmin and Colontonio are currently working on the follow-up release.
MK is currently in production with her forthcoming record, "Let Me Introduce Myself.. Again" which will be released late 2011. The album pairs earthy textures with electronic elements amidst very thought-provoking lyrical content. Karmin recently made an appearance on NBC's The 10! Show this past March, premiering one of the album's newest songs, "Pulling on the String". With the new record on its way Karmin notes that it's quite a re-introduction to her sound. "I have decided to embrace my alternative roots a bit more with the intention to deliver music that is authentic to who I am and without the constant speculation of what will or will not work in the music industry. I'm going with flow, not second guessing myself and just letting the music take me wherever it wants to go."
Carrie Shaw
Guest vocalist for That Summer By The Sea
Carrie was first inspired to sing by her Irish grandfather, a tenor, who sang classical and folk music. As a young teenager, she began singing in local musicals and concerts and soon moved into singing professionally. Carrie trained at the London School of Musical Theatre as well as with vocal coaches, Alma Caesari, Mary Hammond and Stuart Barr (Royal Academy of Music) and Linda Hutchison (past president of the British Voice Association). She has a high Soprano voice with a large vocal range and strong belt.
Carrie sings a variety of repertoire, from light Classical and Opera, through to Musical Theatre, Jazz and Pop. She particularly enjoys singing new material, as well as experimenting with and blending styles.
Her past experience includes playing leading roles in light opera and musicals in London (Shaw Theatre, Bridewell, Cochrane Theatre, Rose Theatre, Greenwich Theatre and Playhouse) as well as on Number One tours of the UK and Europe. She has also performed in many concerts, including singing as a soloist at the Leicester Square Premiere of Universal Pictures’ animated film “The Princess and The Pauper”
Maria Lazareva
Guest solo violinist
Maria Lazareva was born in Moscow in 1984. Her debut as soloist came at the age of 14 in the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She graduated from Gnessin State Music College (2002), Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (2007, prof.Bogdanyan) and achieved Master’s degree in Music Highschool Karlruhe (2009, prof. Breuninger). Maria has worked together with internationally acclaimed musicians, such as N.Shtarkman, V.Ovchinnikov, A.Gindin, L.Timofeeva, O.Kern, M.Bereznitsky, A.Brusilovsky, D.Shapovalov, A.Tchebotareva and has performed in the best concert halls of Moscow ( Conservatory, Philharmony, the Kremlin) , as well as in several European countries (England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy). Maria released four CDs in collaboration with ensemble “Eccellente”, conducted by Prof. Evgeny Nepalo; these recordings include the works of Bach, Vivaldi, Vitali, Telemann, Mendelssohn, Paganini,and were broadcast on major Russian radio stations.
In 2010 Maria won the first prize in the 2nd International Shostakovich Chamber Music Competition. Her active repertoire spans from baroque music to the pieces of modern composers; a number of modern pieces have been especially written for and dedicated to her. She also has appeared as soloist in a number of video projects soundtracks. Maria Lazareva plays on an 18th century Tyrolean violin. Maria is also known as a composer and music teacher.
