Constance Bay opera singer seeks public support in her quest for a national award
Posted Nov 27, 2009 By Theresa Fritz
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EMC Entertainment - Giselle Minns is breaking musical barriers.
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Giselle Minns is eyeing a national award in the Roland Synth Contest for her composition entitled 'You'.
A classically-trained and award-winning soprano, she is also an award-winning composer, pianist and cellist. And now, the Constance Bay resident has set her sights on a national award.
Minns has been selected as one of the top 10 finalists in the Roland Synth Contest for her composition entitled 'You'. Written for her husband, it is from her debut classical crossover album 'Turning Circles', which blends opera and contemporary music.
"I write my own music," she tells the EMC. "I use a fusion of electric sounds with my opera voice."
While Roland Synthesizer selected the finalists, the winner will be selected by the public who are being asked to vote online. To vote for Minns, visit roland.ca. A winner will be selected Nov. 30.
"I need the public's support," she admits.
THE TOP THREE PUBLICLY-CHOSEN FINALISTS WILL WIN THE FOLLOWING GREAT PRIZES:
First-place: Roland V-Synth GT Version 2.0
Second place: Roland JUNO-Stage Keyboard
Third Place: Cakewalk Rapture and Cakewalk Producer software.
"It's very exciting," she says of the new album and the synth contest.
By her own admission, music has been part of her life since she was a young child. Her mother helped with vocal harmony and she began piano lessons when she was five-years-old.
"I am a trained opera singer," she states. "I have sung at many opera houses in Europe."
According to her official biography, Minns completed her contract with the Opera National du Rhin in Strasbourg, France, where she was a member of the Opera Studio.
She also sang the role of Adele in a Gala Performance of Die Fledermaus in Switzerland with Jose Carreras. As well, she has also sung at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden with The English Bach Festival, where she sang the role of the Chinese Woman & The Nymph in Purcell's The Fairy Queen. She also covered this role at English National Opera along with Moira in Ruders' The Handmaid's Tale. Giselle continued her work at English National Opera with the role of Oscar, from Verdi's Msked Ball.
She has appeared on British Television for the BBC and the BBC World Service. Her radio performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio Two and Classic FM in the U.K., and also Canadian National Radio, when she was invited to perform the world premiere of a newly discovered Mozart aria at Christies in London. Giselle has attended Masterclasses at The Britten Pears School with Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge, and also with Hughes Cuenod and Suzanne Danco. She has also taken part in Masterclasses with Adele leigh, Jill Gomez, Marjorie Thomas, Victor Morris and Jonathan Hinden.
So what would make a professional opera singer switch gears and take on a more contemporary approach to her craft?
"I have always liked experimental contemporary music and I wanted to know how it would sound meshing them together with classical sounds," Minns notes.
A regular on the recital and oratorio platforms, her performances have included a BBC Radio Two 'Friday Night is Music Night', Mozart's Requiem and Davide Penitente at the Barbican, and Carmina Burana with the BBC Concert Orchestra in Nottingham, England.
While some have compared her to the musical stylings of Enya and Imogen Heap, she really sees her work as true classicaltronica - mixing electronic and classical musical genres.
Minns career has taken her all over the world and she has received many accolades and awards.
She has appeared on CBC and BBC radio, and won Talent Rock's 2005 Top Female Vocalist Award, where she performed live on U.S. Television. She appeared on CTV in 2006 where she was interviewed and performed one of her songs live. She was nominated for the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards and the 2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards, and was a winner in the 2007 Billboard Songwriting Contest.
Minns is also a 2008 Song of the Year Finalist, a 2008 West Coast Songwriting Honorable Nominee, a 2008 100% Songwriting Finalist, and won a 2008 Ontario Independent Music Award and a 2008 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Music Award. She also received a 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Honorable Mention, and recently a 2009 West Coast Songwriters Honorable Mention and two 2009 Billboard Honorable Mentions.
She released 'Turning Circles' in August 2008, and is currently planning a tour which will also feature an electronica symphony.
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Minns doesn't mince words.
"Musical expressions through songwriting, coupled with the ability to have complete creative and artistic freedom," she admits. "It's a dream come true."
To learn more about Giselle Minns' musical stylings and career, visit her website at www.giselleminns.com
