Artist description There is something very original and personal about Torias style. Her songs seem to fall between classical, folk and soft rock into a style which is very much her own. Her deep knowledge and understanding of music is clear, but her songs are not burdened with learning, just enhanced by it. The same is true of her very expressive, tuneful and compelling singing. It has strength and subtlety. Again the style is relaxed and personal, and is enhanced rather than encumbered by training. There is much to enjoy and appreciate in all her music. Particularly impressive are her lovely, soothing melodic lines which are reassuring without being predictable. Equally impressive are her clever, subtle and well placed vocal harmonies. Both these and the gently supportive instrumental arrangements would put many professional producers/arrangers to shame. (Patrick Allen, author of "Composing Matters").

Music Style A mixture of mood music / pop ballad / folk / soft-rock / classical. Lyrical singing with mostly piano accompaniment.

Musical Influences Contemporary pop / soft-rock / folk / classical / jazz

Similar Artists Enya, Loreena McKennit, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan,

Artist History Toria Burrell was born in Crawley, England. She began learning the piano at age 4 and the flute at age 8, and began composing classical and pop music at age 15. She has sung and played with numerous choirs and orchestras and was a runner up in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. She studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and earned a Masters degree from Cambridge University, where she sang with the Queens College Chapel Choir. She moved to the US in 1996 after marrying fellow singer and American mathematician, Dr. Dave Hrencecin. She produced and published her first solo album in 1998 – “Sweet Baby, Lullabies to soothe your newborn” which is available on Amazon.com and at most major book stores. She founded and directed the Chicago Chamber Choir in 1999. She was appointed “Composer in Residence” of the Chicago Chamber Choir in 2001. Her performed and recorded works include 5 choral pieces, 10 pop songs and 27 lullabies and folk songs. Toria continues to compose music at her studio in Chicago, where she also teaches piano, flute, voice and composition. She is also the mother of one son, Tristan.

Group Members All music written and arranged by Toria Burrell. All solos and instruments performed by Toria Burrell. Some backing vocals written and performed by Scott Townsend.

Instruments Acoustic piano, acoustic flute, acoustic percussion, electronic cello, electronic strings.

Albums Sailing to Dreamland (2001), Sweet Baby - lullabies to soothe your newborn (1998)

Location Chicago, IL - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).