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ABOUT SHY-ANNE HOVORKA





Meet Shy-Anne Hovorka. She is an Aboriginal singer/songwriter from Northwestern Ontario. She is a nominee for the upcoming 2008 Aboriginal Music Awards; best new artist, best song writer, and single of the year. 

Shy-Anne Hovorka is a former foster child. She was placed into care on and off from the ages of 3 and 6. She was adopted by the Hovorka family in her 6th year. “Without the foster care system,” Shy-Anne says, “I have no idea where I would be today, but I know it would not be good.” Shy-Anne owes much of her success to those who helped her in her early years. Many of her songs reflect the feelings she had as a child, growing up, an adult, and her interactions with her students.


The song “The Daisy says He Loves Me” reflects the feeling that life is not what you think it will be. Many of her students and herself have been shocked and hurt by situations in life. She wants them to know through this song that we all have trials, and surprises. Life is not as simple as some may think it is. The song “ThunderBird” is a song that was inspired by foster children she knows now, her life, and a dear friend of hers. One foster child (and student), once told her he really wanted to fly, but his wings were broken. He was so sad in life. She talked with him for many hours at a time, trying to give him hope and guidance. This song was written shortly after he spread his wings to high school.

Shy-Anne Hovorka has been singing since she was three, and performing since nine.  Enjoying a wide variety of musical genres, Shy-Anne performs blues, soft rock, pop, contemporary and folk music.  Her first love is singing, but she often accompanies herself on piano.

Having studied music at Lakehead University and received her Honors Bachelor of Music degree, Shy-Anne received her formal training in the classical tradition. She has performed as the featured soloist for the Thunder Bay Symphony under David Bowser (the Viennese Conductor), and has won numerous awards for her performances in Classical Musical Festivals. However, given Shy-Anne's eclectic musical interests, her performances have broadened to include a wide assortment of venues. 

Shy-Anne has competed in contests for Canadian Idol, Rotary Center Stage, and 807 Back Beat Take the Stage; and has performed as lead singer for a variety of bands (folk, rock, and blues).  She was recently a featured artist for the 807 Backbeat show which aired for three months in beginning of 2007. She has performed in bars throughout Northwestern Ontario, and directs a choir in her own community.

Shy-Anne has also incorporated her musical interests and her Aboriginal background into her teaching profession. She has a Bachelor of Education degree and teaches both Music and Ojibwe in Red Lake, Ontario.

Shy-Anne's love of music and commitment to develop her own talent, and her desire to share her passion with others, continue to direct her path in life. She has finally taken the final steps of taking the music she has written, which bares her heart and soul, and creating her own CD. The CD (album) is entitled Black ThunderBird, which is her given spirit name. The songs on the CD are about her life, and reflect her experiences and the events of those close to her. “The scariest thing about coming out with this CD is that I am terrified people will laugh at my life. These songs are my life. My life is in my music.” says Shy-Anne, “To bare your heart to perfect strangers is hard to do, so I have been reluctant to share my music in the past. But music is meant to be shared and listened to. I hope that there are people out there who can relate and feel through my music the way that I do.”


The biggest dream for Shy-Anne is that her music will help others understand life, and realize they are not alone. Especially the children that are in foster care. She also wants Educators, Parents, Foster Parents, Children’s Aid and care-givers know how much they can impact one life, and how that one life can in turn hopefully impact many others in a positive way thanks to their love and determination.

 
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