Gwyneth
charms and captivates her listeners as soon as she opens her heart to sing. She performs with a
unique style and grace that mesmerizes, drawing directly on her extensive and eclectic background in theatre, cabaret
and movement. Within a roots-based, singer/songwriter tradition, Gwyneth combines a powerfully intimate and engaging
vocal style with passionate poetry and driving unpredictable rhythms. Her ability to dive deep into the heart of her
words and music creates a resonance that is raw and honest to the core.
Gwyneth has been entertaining fans since she was 7 years old, writing and directing plays for her grade school classes.
She continued writing, directing and performing throughout high school in Toronto, and University in Kingston, Ontario -
where she became an integral part of the Queen's Players Cabarets (which later spawned the highly successful touring group The
Arrogant Worms). It was there that Gwyneth wrote her very first original song with Mike McCormick of the Worms. In a sold
out show entitled "Star Trek: The Motion Sickness", the writer/director team had audiences howling in their seats with their
hilarious brand of light, yet satirical humour - combining dialogue and song. Throughout her four years in Kingston, Gwyneth
wrote, directed and performed in several Queen's Players Cabarets, and spent her summers acting in more conventional pieces of
theatre at the Thousand Island's Playhouse.
From there she moved to Paris, France, to attend the world renowned movement-based theatre school L'Ecole Jacques Lecoq,
where she was fortunate enough to spend 2 years studying with the master himself. Gwyneth is proud to share alumnae status
with such esteemed artists as Julie Taymor (The Lion King, Frida); Ariane Mnouchkine (Theatre du Soleil); Mummenschanz,
Theatre Columbus,Theatre Smith-Gilmour, Theatre du Complicité, to name a few.
THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS (to date):
co-writing and co-directing "Talk of The Devil" in London, England's West End Theatre District;
composing and playing music for "Romeo and Juliet" and acting in "Megatropolis" - both directed by Sarah Stanley;
starring in the award winning "Shaking The Foundations", a sexy revue featuring the songs of Carole Pope and Kevin Staples
(Rough Trade) at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, filmed for TV Ontario;
playing Layne in the 8-part television mini-series "Band On The Run";
an ongoing 10 year stint, performing with the ever-popular gender bender singing troupe "The Boychoir of Lesbos".
Gwyneth first hit the music scene in Toronto performing and writing with the dynamic folk trio "Holy Smoke". Holy Smoke
wowed Toronto audiences and quickly became known for their "Month of Sunday's" Cabaret Series at the Toronto landmark club The
Cameron House (and due to popular demand, they later moved to the ultra-cool, Ultra Sound). The Trio hosted and shared the stage with
guest artists including:
Ron Sexsmith, members of
The Barenaked Ladies,
Lori Yates (Hey Stella),
Katherine Wheatley,
Bob Snider,
The Leslie Spit Tree-O, and the list goes on...
After the loss of one of its members, the trio became a duo - "2/3 Holy". Gwyneth and Danny
Bakan wove harmonies and lyrics around each other with a sense of lightness, intelligence and humour that danced with and stimulated the mind
and the heart.
Gwyneth has carried that light into her solo career. After the success of her first recording "Wishing Well", she has recently self-produced
and released 2 videos and a sophomore album entitled "Same Same But Different". Written, sung (including harmonies), played (acoustic guitar),
produced, and designed (CD graphic design and layout) by Gwyneth, reports are in that this disc has fans perpetually pressing the repeat button
in an attempt to get enough...
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
"Something About The Women" showcase
- San Diego Folk Alliance
Lilith Fair Talent Search - Runner up
Toronto Pride 2003/2004
Hysteria Festival - Buddies In Bad Times Theatre 2003/2004
Cheap Queers 2001-2004
"Shaking The Foundations" - Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
First Night - Roy Thomson Hall
Mariposa Folk Festival
Harbourfront
Mission Folk Festival
Victoria Commonwealth Games
Winterfolk Festival
Bravo! Studio
TELEVISION APPEARANCES:
Global News at Noon
Breakfast Television
TV Ontario