| Musical training : |
I’ve been studying violin since
the age of 6, which I’ve traded for the viola at the age of
12. I’ve been learning piano at the same time between the ages
of 7 to 20 to finally focus on singing. I’ve begun my voice
training at the age of 18 and completed a Master’s Degree in
classical singing with Gail Desmarais at Université de Montréal.
Music has always played a big part in my life as far back as I can
remember. Being born to a family of musicians, music truly runs through
my blood. |
| Hobbies : |
Playing with my daughters, reading,
cinema, music |
| Musical projects apart from Liva : |
Classical performances as a soloist
(operas, oratorios, recitals), duet with Pier Carlo. |
| Job apart from Liva : |
Music teacher, freelancing musician – I’ve
once worked as a sign interpreter for the hearing impaired. |
| Musical influences : |
My voice teacher and mentor Gail Desmarais,
of course. I also thoroughly enjoy music from the Mid-East. I’m
always impressed by the melismas of Rai singers and by the playing
of violinists, carried away by uplifting percussion rhythms. |
| Favourite bands, musicians or composers : |
I’ve been a great fan of Sting
since the mid 80’s. I have a deep admiration for my
stage and life partner Pier Carlo Liva. I adore the loud and mind-blowing
sides of Opeth – they are grand musicians. I enjoy the voices
of Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche), Ann Wilson (Heart), David Bowie,
and of several classical singers such as Elly Ameling; I’m
very fond of Stéphane
Grappelli and Helmut Lipsky (violinists), Renaud Garcia-Fons (double
bass player), and I adore Francis Poulenc. |
| The first album
I’ve bought : |
I believe it was Mussorgsky’s Pictures
at an Exhibition. One thing is for sure: it was an album of classical
music. |
| 5 favourite albums : |
Sehnsucht (Rammstein), Damnation/Delivrance (Opeth), Dream
of the Blue Turtle (Sting), Synchronicity (The Police),
Operation Mindcrime (Queensrÿche), Alina (Arvo Pärt),
Ellipsis (Scorn)... That’s more than 5, I know, but there
are a few ties here... |
| Favourite songs from Liva : |
Agnus dei, Sic mors
vitam, Luge penam, Terra superbit... |
| Pre-show routine : |
Nothing special. I don’t have
a particular routine or superstition. The only thing I do need
is to share a group hug with the band before we hit the stage. |
| A venue where I
would love to perform: |
Somewhere grandiose. |
| Worst nightmare
on stage
: |
Our show at Montreal’s Foufounes Électriques
on April 17th, 2004. Pier Carlo and I were both suffering from
a bronchitis/laryngitis with a box of tissues resting on the bass
drum. I was roughly 2 months pregnant at the time and I could feel
the vibrations coming from the subwoofers under the scene into
my boot heels, which was far from being a pleasant feeling. At
one point, Pier Carlo experienced some trouble with his amplifier
so we had to perform a drum, bass and viola solo. And to top it
all off, technicians were tearing the stage apart right under our
feet at the end of the show. And what’s worse is that this
is far from being my only nightmarish tale. |
| Most memorable concert/Best memory on
stage |
Opening for Nightwish at Montreal’s
Medley on September 6th, 2003. |
