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Alternative | Blues | Country | Folk | Jazz | Pop | Rock

A native of Toronto, Kamin began singing at the age of four, astounding family and friends and winning numerous talent competitions. "I was one of those little girls who would dance around my room composing songs to musicals and writing new lyrics to my favourite Debbie Gibson melodies," she recalls. Kamin focused her talent by taking vocal lessons. At the age of 16, she picked up her first guitar and began teaching herself how to play. Songwriting came naturally to Kamin and she composed over one hundred songs before her first live performance in 2001. Serious about honing her musical abilities, Kamin studied voice, guitar, songwriting, music history and harmony at the Royal Conservatory of Music. While continuing her work at the Conservatory, she is currently pursuing a degree in psychology and sociology at the University of Toronto.

Kamin co-produced her debut album, In Her Own Time, with independent producer Carlin Nicholson (The 68s). After nine months of hard work, the album was released in August of 2001 and includes seven tracks featuring Kamin's original music and lyrics. The song Your Fears went on to win an honourable mention in the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Competition.

While she cites Patty Griffin and Jann Arden as her musical heroes, Kamin's appreciation of all music is revealed in her diverse catalog of influences, ranging from The Beatles, Travis and The Stereophonics, to Holly McNarland, India.Arie and The Dixie Chicks. Her love of the independent music scene is reflected in her support of local musicians, such as Adam Cotton, Vyletz, Reid Jamieson, Catherine Hume, Jason Collett and Andrea Florian, who emphatically described Kamin's songs as "stunning" and praised her on-stage enthusiasm.

Kamin's love of performing and desire to celebrate the talent of singer-songwriters prompted her to put together Vixens With Voices, which featured a lineup of Toronto's best female talent, including Hume, Florian, Ronley Teper, Shannon Weir, Linda M, Nicole Dueck and another of Kamin's musical idols, Arlene Bishop. Impressed by her set, Bishop praised Kamin, proclaiming, "You have a great voice and I think your songs are happening."

Well-respected by fellow musicians and club bookers, Kamin received an overwhelming response when she began organizing a benefit concert for Doctors Without Borders (Medécins Sans Frontières). Music For MSF included performances by some of Toronto's most notable musicians, including Kurt Swinghammer and celebrated Canadian jazz singer Molly Johnson. The benefit raised over $2200 dollars for the charity and may become an annual event. Kamin's dedication to social causes is also expressed in her continued support of the AIDS Committee of Toronto.

After spending much of the last year performing and building up a solid local fan base, Kamin is preparing to go into production on her second independent release. Working with recording engineer Mark deBoer (Jamie Browning Band), Kamin will record at Rogue Studios in Toronto, familiar territory to successful Canadian artists like Hawksley Workman, The Northern Pikes, Snow and Kathleen Edwards.

Sara Kamin's "big soulful voice…commands attention" (Kurt Swinghammer). Her "truly memorable" songwriting (Linda M) and her dedication to her craft make her an artist to watch for in coming years.

Website: http://www.sarakamin.com
Email: sarakamin@hotmail.com

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