The audition instructions were daunting.
Perform songs that showcase the voice using no pre-recorded music. Instead, shortlisted musicians were invited to play an electric keyboard to accompany themselves for a panel of six judges, for a chance to perform at the David Foster Foundation Miracle Weekend.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e never had a (piano) lesson in my life,B次元官网网址� says Eva Turkoni, one of 30 local musicians invited to audition from a list of 90 candidates. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know what I was most nervous about, the singing or the playing.B次元官网网址�
While the the singer-songwriter has adeptly worked out the chords to some of her songs sheB次元官网网址檚 recorded and uploaded to YouTube, she readily admits sheB次元官网网址檚 no performance pianist.
Even so, her playing must have passed the test. Or her big voice compensated. Turkoni was selected to perform a 20-minute session during the fundraiserB次元官网网址檚 brunch event May 27. In total, 13 local musicians will perform at the event.
B次元官网网址淲e loved her sound,B次元官网网址� says Erin Van Zant, talent and culture manager for the Oak Bay Beach hotel, which is co-hosting the event.
B次元官网网址淧eople assume IB次元官网网址檓 a pop singer with a squeaky voice, but IB次元官网网址檓 not,B次元官网网址� says Turkoni, a petit blond, decked out in bright pink nail polish. When hearing her deep, almost husky voice, B次元官网网址減eople look at me and say, B次元官网网址榯hat should not come out of you,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Turkoni says.
The chance to perform at the Miracle Weekend is a coup for someone who has not been pursuing music seriously for several years.
Back in England, where she grew up, Turkoni won a scholarship for a music degree specializing in vocals, and was gigging regularly with three bands and had her own music manager.
She gave it all up, however, when she met her future husband while travelling. They moved to Victoria in 2008.
Since then, she admits, itB次元官网网址檚 been hard to find gigs, and hard to connect up with other musicians.
SheB次元官网网址檚 also been otherwise occupied. The 28-year-old is a wedding planner, runs a landscaping company with her husband, and also sells her paintings.
Music has been on the back burner, but sheB次元官网网址檚 adamant itB次元官网网址檚 what she wants to do.
B次元官网网址淚 would give all my companies up for that,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 know I have a talent. ItB次元官网网址檚 my dream career.B次元官网网址�
For her big show date, sheB次元官网网址檚 working with a pianist and backup singer.
B次元官网网址淚 hope the show goes amazingly and I donB次元官网网址檛 forget any words,B次元官网网址� she says.
TurkoniB次元官网网址檚 also aware of David FosterB次元官网网址檚 presence and the possibility that heB次元官网网址檒l be scouting the next big talent.
Van Zant, however, canB次元官网网址檛 confirm this.
B次元官网网址淗e is here for the weekend but we havenB次元官网网址檛 made any promises to any of our musicians.
B次元官网网址淏ut if the moons and stars line up B次元官网网址次元官网网址� Van Zant says, pausing before qualifying again that itB次元官网网址檚 too risky to make promises.
