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PERFORMER & MUSIC TEACHER Carolyn Lykkemark is a singer/pianist and a voice and piano teacher, teaching out of her home studio in Mississauga and at Merriam School of Music in Oakville. Originally trained in classical piano and voice, she has since specialized in performing contemporary styles including R&B, musical theater and pop. Over the course of a career that has already spanned three decades, she has performed in operas, dinner theatre, solo concerts and festivals; in 2008 she released her debut CD, “Seeds Of Me”; and is in high demand as a singing and piano teacher. SELF-PRODUCED STAGE SHOWS As a performer, Carolyn has created and produced a number of stage shows: THE THEATRE OF TRUTH, THE VOICE WITHIN, JOY 2000! and THE DESPERATE DIVAS. Her most recent production was a cabaret-style musical comedy, co-created with Heather Dick, called SAUCY WENCHES IN THE TRENCHES, which was showcased at the TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL in 2009. DEBUT CD - SEEDS OF ME In 2008, Carolyn released her long-awaited debut CD, SEEDS OF ME, at HUGH’S ROOM in Toronto. The album was recorded over a period of 10 years with a potpourri of provocative songs written by a bouquet of songwriters from Carole King and Jewel to Rogers & Hart and Stephen Sondheim, as well as some of her own. The accompaniment, intriguingly light and intimate, is simply keyboard or piano. FORMAL MUSIC TRAINING
- CAMOSUN COLLEGE - A.A.Mus.
Carolyn’s formal vocal training was attained out West at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia where she attained her Associates of Arts diploma in Vocal Performance with Honours. While in Victoria, she sang her first lead role with the Opera Workshop. She wowed the audience with her singing and acting ability and her comedic timing. - ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Carolyn completed her RCM Grade 8 Piano and Grade 10 vocal exams, receiving First Class Honours in both. She was awarded the Silver Medal for the highest mark in the Vocal Grade 10 category. - UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY - B.Mus.
Continuing her vocal education, Carolyn returned to her hometown and attained a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with Distinction at the University of Calgary. While there, Carolyn represented the Music Vocal Department when she toured with other music honour students to schools around southern Alberta. - ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Carolyn’s final stop, in pursuit of her Masters in Music, was Arizona State University. In Arizona, Carolyn’s heart cried out for a change in direction away from classical music. After completing one year of a two-year Master’s program, Carolyn chose to move on from her formal education.
OPERATIC ROLES
Although opera was not to be her passion, she thoroughly enjoyed wowing her audiences as Betsy in SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE (Cridgehall, Victoria), Tommie in THE INJUSTICE DONE TO TOMMIE TUCKER (University Theatre, Calgary), Carolina in THE SECRET MARRIAGE (University Theatre, Calgary), and St. Settlement in FOUR SAINTS IN THREE ACTS (Lyric Opera Theatre, Arizona). NON-CLASSICAL EXPLORATION Carolyn relocated to Toronto and began exploring all things non-classical. She collaborated with an array of musicians, exploring different genres of music: classic and contemporary pop, rhythm and blues, jazz and Broadway show tunes. This foray away from classical found her performing at STRATENGER’S , KOKOMOS, THE DUKE OF KENT, BONNY BRIAR’S, SPARKY’S, CAFÉ DES ARTISTES, JS SHANE’S and in the dinner theatre show, OFFICERS 1893. MAKING MISSISSAUGA HER HOME In 1996, Carolyn moved to Mississauga, where she resides today. She has performed with a band at PK CREEK BAR & GRILL, ROC N’ DOCS, ROSCOE’S ROADHOUSE and JD's HIDEAWAY & GRILL; as a soloist at UNITY CHURCH OF MISSISSAUGA, while at the HERSHEY CENTRE, she sang the Canadian and American national anthems for the TORONTO THUNDERHAWKS professional indoor soccer club; as a singer/pianist she has performed at JONATHAN’S OF OAKVILLE, LOUISIANA’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, THE MOONSHINE CAFE and the STREETSVILLE ARTS FEST. TODAY Presently, Carolyn is teaching singing and piano lessons full-time and enjoying more time with her husband, Jim Darley, as he has hung up his computer spurs and picked up his guitar. Having formed a duo called SIDE BY SIDE, they are taking retirement residences by storm!
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