The music of Minerva is an eclectic collection of emotions, jazz infused melodies, and folk style story-telling songs that span the life times of the sultry trio of songwriters showcased in the album "Follow Me". Well known for their haunting harmonies, beautiful violin lines, and ethnic colors the muses of Minerva strive to find the beautiful balance between melody and meaning. Their tuneful meanderings, and truthful musical style has an ethereal feel, yet the music has firm roots, and immed...
The music of Minerva is an eclectic collection of emotions, jazz infused melodies, and folk style story-telling songs that span the life times of the sultry trio of songwriters showcased in the album "Follow Me". Well known for their haunting harmonies, beautiful violin lines, and ethnic colors the muses of Minerva strive to find the beautiful balance between melody and meaning. Their tuneful meanderings, and truthful musical style has an ethereal feel, yet the music has firm roots, and immediately engages the listener.
The multi-talented girls of Minerva, Lauren Ireland the Soprano, Leela Aheer the Mezzo, and Jessica Schollaardt the violinist, were and are destined to play together. As fate had it, it was through their love of music, melody, harmony and friendship that eventually brought the dream of Minerva to fruition.
Lauren Ireland, met Leela Aheer at a house gig of a very good friend of both the girls. The lyrics of one of the songs that Leela had written, had sent the then, very young Lauren into tears. After some discussion, Leela had found out that Lauren also was an accomplished singer, so Leela brought Lauren up onto the stage with her, and they sang together. It was instant love between the two, and instant magic. It was obvious from the looks of the audience, that this was something unique and special - mesmerizing.
In the mean time, Jessica, an accomplished violin player, was seeking some vocal lessons, and ended up in Leela’s music studio. The two of them sang moving, sweet duets and a beautiful friendship, and musical partnership was born between them. At that time. Jess was involved in a very large project playing violin for her sister’s debut album, and it was then that Leela and Jess felt inclined to start writing some music together.
How serendipitous was it that Lauren, and Leela should be reunited in a project around the same time in 2006. It became apparent that it was time to move forward with the dream of putting this ensemble together. On a lovely August evening in Leela’s Chestermere studio, the Magic of Minerva came to be, and it has been a whirlwind of local performances ever since. The divine harmonies that are woven through the fabric of the original songs of their debut album “Follow Me” are a journey through their lives, loves, joys, and heartaches. Minerva is a unique harmonic experience of the stunning meanderings of Jess’s violin riffs, and three or four luscious voices-four when they bring in their beautiful friend, and alto Jane Nieuwenburg from Vancouver, that bring together this very powerful and soulful musical journey.
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