Teira Andreeff went from the hardest hitter on the Sea to Sky Sirens to the most harmonious opera voice in Squamish.
And now she’s ready to put those award-winning pipes up against some of B.C.’s best.
Opera wasn’t always the intended destination for the Howe Sound Secondary School (HSSS) grad. She’s only been practicing the singing style for a year after having been “discovered” at the 2013 Howe Sound Music Festival (HSMF).
“Last year I did HSMF and adjudicator Gail Suderman took a big interest in me because of my voice type,” Andreeff said. “I didn’t realize I had such a strong instrument and she told me I should be pursuing opera instead of musical theatre. She said I had a rare voice and that I needed to switch to opera now.”
Andreeff listened to the director of voice and choral studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and for the past year has been immersing herself in all things opera. Suderman arranged for Andreeff to attend the provincial competitions as a classical observer for the HSMF last year and Andreeff said it really exposed her to the genre.
“It was such a great eye-opening experience for me,” she said. “So after that I went to Long and McQuade, bought a piano and a giant stack of theory and vocal books and got to work.”
She’s working with four teachers in Squamish and Vancouver to perfect her craft. These days, her life is all music and she has little downtime for other activities.
All of her hard work paid off at the HSMF earlier this month, as Andreeff competed in light opera, art song, musical theatre, concert class and lieder — winning gold in all categories.
“It was an honour to win,” she said. “I managed to win two scholarships [most promising vocalist 28 and under] and when I won the opportunity to go to provincials, my hand went over my mouth and I thought I was going to fall backwards because of shock. Tears came pouring out because all of the hard work and sacrifice I’ve made over the past year was validated.”
Some of Andreeff’s mental toughness and strength blossomed on the floor as a member of the Sirens roller derby squad. Known as “Dark Raider,” Andreeff was a defensive force, winning the hardest hitter award in 2012. She also helped lead the Sirens to their first-ever win. She also sang the national anthem at several bouts.
“I’m no longer on the team, but they were always so supportive of my singing,” she said. “It was an absolutely incredible experience to be on the team and I felt very powerful on the Sirens. It was really empowering to be a woman in an all-women’s sport like that.”
Next up for Andreeff is the provincials in Penticton from June 3 to 7. She admitted the competition will be stiff but she’s looking forward to the event.
“So many others I’m going up against started earlier than me, so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” she said. “But I’m so glad I went last year because I’m mentally prepared for what I’m walking into this year. It’s not going to be easy because so many of them have more experience than me, but I think I’m at a good age [24] and my voice is just starting to fully mature.”
Andreeff will also appear in the North Shore Light Opera Society’s production of The Gondoliers in her first lead role in an opera this May. After provincials, she said she will continue her studies and then decide where to go to school or even travel to Europe to perform there. She recommended Squamish Academy of Music for any young singer and offered advice for those who may want to follow in her footsteps.
“You need to have passion for anything you do,” she said. “If you want it, chase it.”
Stay tuned to The Chief for results on how Andreeff fares at provincials.
