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Formed in 1996, Candlelight Opera consists of Amanda Harris, Shawn Slater, Peter Dounetas and Julian Vardy. Candlelight Opera is a combination of ethereal and sombre music coupled with performances that are both enlightening and eclectic. "Quite simply put, we love to make music." Musical influences include Pearl Jam, Crowded House, Kate Bush, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, Dave Matthews, and Neil Young. Candlelight Opera has performed in clubs, on campus radio stations, Breakfast Television, music festivals and Toronto Harbour cruises. You might have also caught them polishing up their act and forming new alliances at many singer songwriter forums. All material is written by Candlelight Opera, featuring intriguing lyrical content that makes you think. Amanda Harris has been performing from an early age. Amanda became known for her solo performances at school and charity functions. As she grew older, she became involved in musical theatre at the local level. Amanda received many rave reviews for her performances in such musicals as Oliver! and Grease. Local newspapers described her as having "a voice beyond her years." Amanda attended the University of Guelph for Dramatic Arts. It was during this time she became acquainted with Shawn Slater. Since 1994 the two have been writing and performing together. Amanda's rich, sweet vocals add a strong melodic quality and her song writing skills are a great compliment to Shawn's genre of writing. Together these two present a package that is palatable to the most discerning of musical appetites. Shawn Slater has been performing and writing music since childhood. Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the local Drum Corps (Kiwanis Kaveliers, Dutch Boy) when he was 12. He marched, playing the trumpet, all over North America until he was 17. In his early high school years he formed a band called The Young Generation that performed at school functions and benefits. Shawn and his friends went on to form a band called The Dead Fish Funk that played local Guelph venues. In 1991 Shawn formed a band called The Anti Socials. In this project Shawn played the drums. The band recorded one 10 track independent release called Subcultures. Along with many performances, the band celebrated modest success until their break up in 1994. In Candlelight Opera, Shawn combines a melancholy song writing style with passionate progressions and catchy rhythms. Of our pantomime rascal, Peter Dounetas, very little has been uncovered from behind the mask of his fiendish grin. Peter shares in song writing and plays a six-string bass, introducing a "sophisticated and busy" undercurrent to Candlelight Opera. Although he seldom speaks, we do know that our swarthy knave has been attracted to the noise of musical toys since he was a boy. Rumour has it he comes from a line of minstrels and scoundrels perpetually chased throughout his homeland. This mysterious multi-instrumentalist has been studying, playing, writing and enjoying a diverse range of music, including that from his beloved Balkan background and beyond. Unfortunately, not much else is known of the dark, jovial rogue with the white gardenia. Often styled a wicked gypsy-bandit - he currently maintains the moniker: Mischievous Musical Marauder of the Mediterranean… Julian Vardy is the newest edition to the unit. Joining the band in 2003, Julian provides "the beat" for all that is Candlelight Opera. Julian has an extensive performance background playing in a Celtic/Pop band for ten years. As The Plaid Daddys, they released a full-length cd called Becketabingada, and a five song EP. They then changed their name to Declan Nine, fazed out the celtic influence, and released a full length self-titled album, before deciding to pursue other projects. Julian has enjoyed much success with his previous project, including performances on Breakfast Television Toronto, Open Mike with Mike Bullard and having a song, Decapo, played on the hit TV series Dawson's Creek. Julian is a welcome finishing touch to Candlelight Opera.
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