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Bio
Calgary based singer/songwriter Alison Demeter has an honest, genuine presence on stage. Although Alison’s music is rooted in folk, her songs embody a mix of influences including Celtic, pop, country and blues. While performing she is passionate about offering her gifts of a strong, clear voice and her songwriting as a vehicle to bring awareness to social issues, to tell stories that celebrate the lives of ordinary people, and to provide audiences with an engaging, interactive experience.
Music is Alison’s oldest, dearest, and most faithful friend. Her first song, written at age ten, was not an age appropriate song in any way. It was a song about a woman grieving the loss of the man she loved. It was a song that provided Alison with a safe voice to speak of the extensive loss she had experienced at such a young age.
At fourteen Alison wrote songs in place of writing essays for school but it would not be until she was sixteen that she taught herself to play the guitar. With no formal music training, at twenty-one she auditioned and was accepted to attend the music program at Grant MacEwan College.
Finishing a few classes short to graduate, in 1985 Alison was at a crossroad. She could give up music or could embark on the work that was required to overcome the performance anxiety that robbed her of her tonality. Her single greatest desire was to be a singer/songwriter and so she began a twenty-year healing process. This process, that is so often reflected in Alison’s songs, has been invaluable to her as a songwriter. As she ages and heals and grows, her songwriting improves and becomes more meaningful.
In 2002 Alison began performing again. She has performed at farmers markets, churches, local venues, private functions, and smaller festivals in Alberta; any place that people gather in community. In January 2008 she performed at Alberta’s only winter folk festival, Tongue on the Post, in Medicine Hat. Her goals are to continue to develop her skills as both a songwriter and performer while establishing a full-time career in music.
Quotes
"Alison has thoughtful lyrics and a sweet voice. Her songs are presented honestly which adds to her charm. I think she is an up and comer who we should watch for."
“When Alison first came out to the Open Mic that I host in early 2006, I was quite impressed. And since that time, I have been thrilled to see her progress even further as a performer and songwriter. Whether she is playing one of her own terrific songs or covering someone else's, she always puts her heart into it. Alison is blessed with wonderful singing and songwriting abilities and her talents are a blessing to us.”
“A fresh new voice on the Calgary music scene Alison Demeter brings her heart-felt lyrics to life with a bright vocal presentation. Utilizing her talent on keyboard and guitar Alison’s original ballads and love songs along with traditional material can bring an audience to laughter and to tears. I look forward to hearing more from this new light in Canadian folk music.”
"Alison Demeter blew into Medicine Hat like a southerly snow eater on the first night of the Tongue on the Post winter folk festival. Her clear, true, voice and strong original ballads were a highlight at the Friday night Singer Songwriter open stage. On Saturday afternoon, Alison's special ability to form immediate bonds with an audience were showcased at the Children's Side Stage. Kids loved her sing-a-long stylings and storytelling. As the Radical Rover, Alison warmed the crowd waiting for seats for the evening concert and proved that her connections run to older folks as well. It takes that special personal something for complete strangers to risk singing a round under Alison's capable direction. Alison Demeter's musical gifts, her training, and experience as a music professional make her an immediately warm and familiar friend whenever she performs. She was a welcome winter presence at our festival."
Awards
2008 Calgary Highland Games
Gold Medal Winner in the Robby Burns Recital Competition!!
2006 Calgary Highland Games
Bronze Medal Winner in the Robby Burns Recital Competition
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