Alyssa Bryce is a princess.

Donning flowing wigs and colourful, cartoon-like costumes, she transforms herself into an ice princess, a mermaid princess or even a bow-wielding, red-headed Scottish princess.

While Bryce enjoys working weekends at Storybook Princess Parties, the Colwood resident hopes to take her passion for musical theatre from the backyards of Greater Victoria to the packed houses of New York.

B次元官网网址淢y ultimate goal is definitely Broadway, there is no doubt about that,B次元官网网址� the University of Victoria theatre student said. B次元官网网址淚 have tried doing auditions for film and even considered working in Disneyland, but I realized I donB次元官网网址檛 want any distractions from my true passion.B次元官网网址�

Bryce recalls a story her grandmother tells of when she was just two. Lounging in the pews during a church performance, the toddler marched up to centre stage to belt out her own rendition of Jesus Loves Me in front of the surprised crowd. She doesnB次元官网网址檛 remember it herself, but suggested it could be foreshadowing for today, where randomly breaking into song at the family home isnB次元官网网址檛 the exception, it is the rule.

B次元官网网址淢y family has been very into theatre,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been a musical family and I always sing around the house. We have a karaoke machine, and if I donB次元官网网址檛 get my homework done itB次元官网网址檚 because we have karaoke B次元官网网址� (Music) is in our blood and it is our family in general.B次元官网网址�

Musicianship is a family affair in BryceB次元官网网址檚 household. Her mother, Kelly Charleen, is coming off an ensemble performance with Kaleidoscope TheatreB次元官网网址檚 Little Shop of Horrors, and her younger sister performs alongside Bryce at Storybook Princess Parties, which is the family business.

On the advice of her voice coach, Bryce entered a senior category earlier this year at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, despite being underage. She wound up winning and was invited to the associated honours concert, where she secured a spot in the provincials in Powell River. There she also won her division in musical theatre.

B次元官网网址�(Alyssa) is someone that has the natural talent and ability B次元官网网址� and as a singing actor she has a one of those really unique, exciting belt voices,B次元官网网址� her coach Joanne Hounsell said. B次元官网网址淗er voice is very special. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big voice and an exciting sound and whenever you hear it, you say, B次元官网网址榞osh sheB次元官网网址檚 going all the way.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Also the operator of Saltwater Creative Arts in Victoria, Hounsell said Bryce comes to life on stage. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a vulnerability in the young performer that helps carry her acting, alongside her growing singing arsenal.

B次元官网网址淭o follow the idea of a dream is that B次元官网网址� it has to be something that you couldnB次元官网网址檛 imagine doing anything else,B次元官网网址� Hounsell said. B次元官网网址淪he is young, but that is so evident and clear (with her).B次元官网网址�

BryceB次元官网网址檚 resume includes stints with Four Seasons Musical Theatre, Kaleidoscope Theatre and Saltwater, going back to when she was 12. She plans to major in acting at the University of Victoria and hopes to move to Toronto before eventually making the trek to the Big Apple.

B次元官网网址淪omething is powerful about music. It is a monologue you are reciting, except with music. It is the most amazing thing I was blessed with, so I want to keep working harder so I can improve even more,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 picture my life going on and I cannot picture my life without New York or Broadway in my career. It (would) devastate me to not have that.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com