Sudbury Living - Spring 2008 - (Page 11)

On location with Pandora Topp. Specials thanks to The Towne House, VIA Rail and The Old Rock Cafe. Pandora was the first woman on Earth. The gods endowed her with many talents. The Rex Holmes’ show set the bar high, and Topp attributes its ongoing success to its pace. “Audiences at parties or events don’t like down time,” said Topp. “The party doesn’t stop and neither should the music. It is just a little trick we noticed, and it has really paid some serious dividends.” Topp knows she is lucky to make a living as a working artist. She is constantly playing corporate events, even more-so than on the entertainment circuit. “We treat our corporate clients and audiences the exact same,” explained Topp. “We guarantee something new every time and the highest level of entertainment and, to be honest, we haven’t let anyone down to date.” Sean Perras has worked with Topp for more than a dozen years. As a musician and technical director, Perras is a key contributor to most of her live performances. Her ability to find new a new approach keeps her performances fresh and appealing, he said. “She is always coming up with a concept or angle that will prove attractive to people. Her endurance and creative presentation keeps audiences and clients coming back, and each time there’s something just a little bit different. Simply put, Pandora and her act just don’t get old.” And the results obviously speak for themselves, between the Giselles and the Cheetahs, this local singer and performer is booked solid. Giselles members are band leader and Topp’s brother-inlaw Benoît Clément on trumpet and vocals; Paul Lefebvre, a lawyer who plays alto sax, Robin Desmeules on tenor sax; Michael Macarthur, tenor sax alternate; Musicworks coowner Kevin Whyte on drums; Scott Aultman on bass; and Patrick Rhéal Therrien on guitar, keyboard and vocals. The role Topp enjoys playing the most is that of legendary French singer, Édith Piaf. It is a role that has taken her across the country. Performing in front of live audiences, Café Piaf is described as a contemporary interpretation of the famous chanteuse. Topp brilliantly takes the audience deep into the human experience of this tortured woman. Considered as one of the greatest French singer in history, Piaf died in 1963 when she was only 47. Topp and musicians Iona Reed-Pukara, Ron Kelly and Brian Quebec performed Café Piaf most recently on Valentine’s Day at the Caruso Club. The show was produced by GDM Group, which is headed by Topp’s husband Yves Doyon. (Topp until recently could not read music. She is currently studying piano with Reed-Pukara, another of the city’s top talents.) “From early childhood, we could see Pandora was industrious, a natural performer and entrepreneur,” said Heather Topp, an established visual artist and Pandora’s mother. “Her father (Robert) is an accountant, and with a mother as an artist, I guess she was able to learn enough from both of us on how to succeed in this industry. As well, it’s definitely her positive attitude and perseverance that makes her who she is, someone whom the audiences warm up to.” So whether she is fronting one of Northern Ontario’s most popular bands, travelling the country to bring fans a glimpse of the life of Édith Piaf, or taking the stage with internationally acclaimed singer, Michael Bublé, Topp is the ultimate example of a modern working artist. Diversified, dedicated and talented, she truly is at the top of her game. SL Spring 2008 Sudbury Living In Greek mythology, 11

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Sudbury Living - Spring 2008

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