Versatility is key to describing Aurelia Engstrom's musicianship, whether recalling her early years of using her parents' bedpost as a microphone or discussing her current repertoire. Aurelia infuses her performances with a variety of musical styles, adding a musical theater twist to traditional pop and folk melodies and steeping traditional cabaret with jazz sensibilities. In essence, Aurelia describes her music as "jazzy art-songs performed with cabaret-esque and musical theater stylings."
Examining Aurelia's musical background illuminates her musical versatility. Initially, she trained classically with a variety of teachers at Lusiana Lukman's Classical Music Conservatory, including mezzo-soprano Rebecca Hass, never stepping too far outside her Gilbert and Sullivan comfort zone until two musically transforming events took place. First, Aurelia was offered the opportunity to open for bluegrass singer/songwriter John Dorsey at The Lambton House. Here, she was asked to perform hits of the 50s and 60s thus compelling her to expand her repertoire. Second, Aurelia was introduced to Toronto jazz singer Shannon Butcher who would become her vocal coach for the next four years.
Under Shannon's guidance, Aurelia flourished as a musical artist. Jazz, musical theater, cabaret, Leonard Cohen, and traditional lieder encompassed just some of the repertoire used to open Aurelia's eyes to the many ways she could use her clear soprano voice. Suddenly, she was aware of musical possibilities.
In 2007/08, Aurelia again challenged herself when she took on the roll of "Glinda" in Gerald Isaac's musical theater tribute to Stephen Schwartz, "Schwartzspell." Developing a character for a full two hours on stage gave Aurelia a new way to introduce and fuse together her mixed bag of musical influences: develop a character and tell a story through a variety of styles, from Motown to cabaret.
Aurelia's recently completed EP is her tribute to her musical influences. Arranged by composer Timothy Minthorn, produced by Ashton Price and featuring the fabulous jazz pianist Richard Whiteman, Aurelia cemented her love of theatrical jazziness by interpreting songs ranging from Kurt Weill to Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Aurelia continues to expand her musical horizons. Her eyes are continuously re-opened by her wonderful and amazing vocal-coach, Toronto jazz vocalist, Lisa Martinelli, and by her guitar teacher Devrim Eldelekli of blueVenus.