Esther-Ruth Teel can regularly be found busking at VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Inner Harbour. But itB次元官网网址檚 getting to her performances that is sure to catch a few eyes.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite an interesting scene when IB次元官网网址檓 going downtown because IB次元官网网址檓 wearing a ball gown, wearing high heels, carrying my harp and taking the bus,B次元官网网址� said Teel, adding she draws more than a few odd looks. B次元官网网址淚 have lots of interesting conversations.B次元官网网址�
The 23-year-old Saanich musician is now getting ready to move from the tranquil serenity of the Inner Harbour to the ornate beauty of Christ Church Cathedral for the release of her new CD, The Sea is Wide.
B次元官网网址淚 was looking at all these songs and realized they all had this common thread of the sea, almost like itB次元官网网址檚 a character in a story,B次元官网网址� said Teel.
Teel has always had a love for music, playing piano and performing in choirs, as well as earning a degree in voice performance at Victoria Conservatory of Music. She will go on to study pipe organ at the University of Toronto in the fall.
Teel first picked up the harp about three years ago, only because an accordion wasnB次元官网网址檛 available.
B次元官网网址淚 was borrowing an accordion from someone and just messing around on it. They wanted it back and I was sad that I didnB次元官网网址檛 have my creative instrument,B次元官网网址� she said. Her grandmother then remembered the Celtic harp tucked away in her basement that she received as an anniversary present from her husband, offering Teel a new vehicle for her creative expression.
Her CD came about from another chance encounter, when during a meeting a friend had asked what she wanted to be doing in the next year.
B次元官网网址淚 said IB次元官网网址檇 love to record a CD but I donB次元官网网址檛 know how to get started,B次元官网网址� said Teel, adding a retired CBC producer happened to be at the meeting and offered to produce her CD. B次元官网网址淚an Alexander coached me through the whole process of recording.B次元官网网址�
Teel said working in a studio is an entirely different experience than busking.
B次元官网网址淭he first time I heard myself recorded, it was just shocking. Music is usually this very transient thing, itB次元官网网址檚 there and then itB次元官网网址檚 gone. But then it was there and stayed there. It was strange to listen to this moment that was crystallized.B次元官网网址�
But performing in the studio just canB次元官网网址檛 match the excitement Teel gets from busking downtown.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like itB次元官网网址檚 some of the most honest performance that I do. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no sort of class distinction, itB次元官网网址檚 not just people who can afford to buy a concert ticket,B次元官网网址� said Teel, adding she draws some extremely diverse crowds. B次元官网网址淎 lot of people who are surprised by liking music thatB次元官网网址檚 a little bit more classical in character. The people who are watching you are really choosing to watch you.B次元官网网址�
Teel will be releasing her CD during a concert and reception at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Chapel of the New Jerusalem in Christ Church Cathedral (911 Quadra St., use the south door off of Burdett). Admission to the reception is free, CDs cost $20.
editor@saanichnews.com
