www.oakvillevisitorgu ide.ca Cover_VG 2011.indd 1 5/19/11 6:46:06 PM Do you have family and friends planning a visit to Oakville? ave t hem iv is t the new H nline e dition of the o akville Visitor G iu de a t O www.oakvillevisitorguide.ca is pa kc ed with currentIt nform ta ion! i Restaurants, activities, accommodations, shopping information and more! Pr do uc de annually by Online Edition is fully searchable with HOT LINKS to key info and advertisers. w w w .in si d eH A LT O N .c o m O A K V IL LE B E A V E R W ed n es d ay , J u ly 2 7, 2 01 1 1 6 I didnt know about (The Next Star) until three days before. My friends said, Sydney, youve got to get up. Youve got to start doing something with this singing thing. Just give it a shot. Ive never performed before for anybody. They told me I should do it. The show features a host of Canadian tal- ent, including Degrassi: The Next Generations Adamo Ruggiero as host, musician Suzie McNeil, songwriter Christopher Ward and music marketing executive Steve Cranwell. I loved my interviews with Adamo, Delong said of her experience on the show. When I first went in for my audition I called him an elf and I felt really bad about that. Ever since he would make those witty com- ments. It was probably my favourite part of the day, to do those interviews. Viewers can help select their favourite competitor at YTV.com or by text message. This years winner will take home The Next Star title along with a slew of prizes to help a young musician on way to a musical career. role at the age of 23, Sullivan is new to the art herself. She sang in her schools choir and with the Oakville Childrens Choir but did not take formal voice lessons until she was 17. It was actually her music teach- er in high school who suggested she consider going into music. So she took lessons and was accepted into several universities. Now, she has one year remaining to com- plete a masters degree in music at the University of Western Ontario. I love it. Ive realized, especially this year throughout the produc- tion, that there is really nothing else that I could do because its the most satisfying work anyone could be involved with, she said. Its hard but the reward is so big. Sullivan said she was surprised when she got a major part in the opera, thinking she might get a lesser stage or chorus role. Its an incredibly exciting role to do and gratifying, she said. The opera is about Violetta, a courtesan who falls in love with a man, Alfredo, who is above her social status. She is dying of tuber- culosis and is in conflict with her- self over whether she should allow the love to take place. Further con- flict comes from Alfredos father who is against the relationship. Sullivan said she is excited about the role of a strong person who is weakened by sickness and to show that through her voice. Its unbelievable. Its the most satisfying thing Ive ever done and there are very famous sopranos, Maria Callas, one of the most famous sopranos that ever lived, was really known for this role, she said. There is nothing like the way Verdi creates a mood or adds the subtleties in the music. The opera runs between July 3 and Aug. 6 at the University of Torontos Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St. 3rd floor. Tickets are $26 for general admission and $22 for students and seniors. For showtimes, tick- ets and more information, visit www.solt.ca. Singer was late to opera, loved it since beginning Continued from page 15 Four Sheridan College students in the illustration program are presenting their artwork at an exhibit in a Toronto gallery. The exhibit, titled The Space Between, is now open and runs until Sunday, July 31 at Gallery 1313. It features the work of illustrators Kailey Lang, Celia Krampien, Rachel Idzerda and Danielle Storey. The work is meant to be a visual study of the ties that bind people, such as race, culture and society. The gallery is located at 1313 Queen St. W. For more information and gallery hours, visit www. g1313.org. Students host art exhibit AT THE GALLERY: Celia Krampien is one of four Sheridan College students showing their work at Gallery 1313 in Toronto. SUBMITTED PHOTO Friends urged teen to audition Continued from page 14 Sydney Delong