Theresa Sokyrka

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Theresa Sokyrka
Born (1981-04-01) 1 April 1981 (age 42)
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
GenresPop, folk, Jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Years active2004–present
LabelsIndependent

Theresa Sokyrka (born 1 April 1981) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. On the second season of Canadian Idol, she was the final runner-up to winner Kalan Porter.

Biography[edit]

Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Sokyrka studied music at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta. She is drawn to the blues and jazz more than other musical genres, and sings with passion and vulnerability. She loves to scat, adding flare and style to her songs. During an Idol taping, Lionel Richie said there was "the soul of an old black woman living inside her". She comes from a very musical family, and she plays the violin, guitar, and piano.

She was Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Youth Ambassador.[1]

Sokyrka currently lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her 2013 album,Prairie Winds was recorded, mixed and mastered in Madrid, Spain in two weeks.[2]

Canadian Idol[edit]

On the second season of Canadian Idol, Sokyrka was known for scatting during her songs, the grace she showed during the judges' critiques, and her friendly personality. Zack Werner once said she was his favourite singer on the show from the first two seasons. A memorable comment made about Sokyrka came from judge Jake Gold; he said "Your future is so bright, I've got to wear shades" as he put on his sunglasses. Kalan Porter said it was great ending the show with Theresa, and that she had something really special to offer. The duet they performed during the finale, "True Colors", was arguably one of the most touching moments in Canadian Idol history.

Songs that Theresa performed during the season included:

Week Song Sung Artist
1st Audition "God Bless the Child" Billie Holiday
Toronto Audition No. 1
Group Performance
"You've Got a Friend" James Taylor
Toronto Audition No. 2
Duet Performance with Mohanza Kelly
"Unforgettable" Nat King Cole
Toronto Audition No. 3
Solo Performance
"Try" Blue Rodeo
Top 32 "Summertime" Eva Cassidy
Top 10 "Good Mother" Jann Arden
Top 9 "There's a Kind of Hush" Herman's Hermits
Top 8 "Piece of My Heart" Janis Joplin
Top 7 "Hello" Lionel Richie
Top 6 "Song For a Winter's Night" Gordon Lightfoot
Sarah McLachlan
Top 5 "Cruisin'" Smokey Robinson
Top 4 "It's Only a Paper Moon"
"Dream a Little Dream"
Ella Fitzgerald
Louis Armstrong
Top 3 "What The World Needs Now Is Love"
"Ready For Love"
Jackie DeShannon
India.Arie
Top 2 "Awake in a Dream"
"Come Away With Me"
"Cruisin'"
Idol Single
Norah Jones
Smokey Robinson

Her standout songs on the show were "Summertime", "Good Mother", "Song For A Winter's Night", "Cruisin", "Ready for Love", and "Come Away with Me".

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Year Album details Peak Certifications
(sales threshold)
CA
2005 These Old Charms
  • Released: 26 April 2005
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD
4
  • CA sales: 70,000
  • CRIA: Gold
2006 Something Is Expected
  • Released: 5 September 2006
  • Label: Maple
  • Format: CD
7
  • CA sales: 13,000
2007 Wrapped in Ribbon
  • Released: 5 November 2007
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD
2010 Theresa Sokyrka – Ukrainian Roots
  • Released: 30 November 2010
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD, digital download
2013 Prairie Winds
  • Released: 4 June 2013
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD, digital download
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

EPS[edit]

Singles[edit]

  • "Turned My Back" (2005)
  • "Waiting Song" (2006)
  • "Sandy Eyes" (2007)
  • "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (2007)
  • "Everything" (2010)
  • "Our House" with Jesse Brown (2020)
  • Let It Go with Jesse Brown (2020)
  • "Time After Time" with Jesse Brown (2020)
  • "Someone You Loved" with Jesse Brown (2020)
  • "In Your Eyes" with Jesse Brown (2021)
  • "Hello" with Jesse Brown (2021)
  • "True Colors" with Simon Jasienuk (2021)
  • "1/4 of My Eggs Left" (2022)

Other appearances[edit]

In addition to the above mentioned, Sokyrka was featured on Kalan Porter's album "219 Days" (2004). Also "Baby, It's Cold Outside" a single with Matt Dusk in 2007.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Youth Ambassador Visits North Battleford Students" (News and Media Release). Government of Saskatchewan. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Theresa Sokyrka Biography". Sing 365. Retrieved 15 March 2010.

External links[edit]