Lorie Querubin wears many hats in her professional life, balancing her role as a mental health nurse at Rockyview General Hospital with her passion for music and teaching. By day, she tends to patients’ needs, offering care and support in the hospital setting. However, her evenings and weekends are dedicated to sharing her musical talents as a teacher of beginner vocals and piano. Alongside her nursing career and teaching commitments, Querubin thrives as a freelance musician, lending her vocals to various projects. Notable among these are her contributions as a backup vocalist for the band Tendavillage and the esteemed Juno-nominated artist Joanna Borromeo.
Name:
Lorie Querubin
Genre:
Pop and R&B, but I like it all!
# of Albums:
I have been a feature on several projects but no full albums released.
Latest Single:
“Hope Dealer”
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
The big voices! Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. But I loved R&B too especially Aaliyah, Monica.
Favourite musician now:
Impossible to answer! I love certain things about a lot of musicians and the artists can completely vary from one another.
Guilty pleasure song:
I grew up in the ’90s, so anything from the early boy band days from the Backstreet Boys. I probably know them all by heart. “Get Down” “Quit Playing Games”; all those gooders.
Live show ritual:
I try to get the songs as much in my bones 24 hours before, so I can just chill and relax on show days. I have a few vocal warm-ups that I have in my head that I can do without a piano but I don’t overdo it. Resting is best for me before a longer set. I have some mental tricks that I’ve learned at work so I can be as relaxed as I can be so I can pay attention to how the audience is receiving me., and I can adjust the set on the fly from there.
Favourite local musician:
Too many! I work with so many different artists for different projects. At the top of my head, Cam Buie, Carl Janzen, Emily Slaney, Kate Melvina, Joanna Borromeo, Aisha Mendes, Dave Lewis and Mayowa Olu.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl… but because of my job I’ve had to turn myself into an early bird (not by choice).
Road or studio?
Studio! I like repetition and the process of doing something slightly different on each take. Listening back is also one of the strongest tools for a singer to get better.
Any shows or albums coming up?
Emily Slaney and I have a music showcase for our students in June, hosted by Jams.
Other projects to promote: I love singing at weddings for the ceremony or for the cocktail hour in a duo or trio. Live music really enhances an event, and I am always open to collaborating with other musicians to do some live music for a special event.
Where can we follow you?
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Ahh, again too many! Barbarella, Bridgette Bar. My husband and I just had a special Omakase experience for his birthday at “Nupo” which was sooo awesome!
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
I grew up in Rundle in NE Calgary so I’d have to say the pathway from St. Rose Junior High to my parents’ house. It’s nostalgic and I have some great memories of having walks and laughs with my crushes and childhood friends down that path.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
I like the walk below the Crescent Heights stairs. One of my favourite places to walk or do some stairs with a beautiful view. Then you just cross the bridge and walk over to Alforno for a pastry and coffee to eat the calories you just burned off. Lol.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
The old Café Koi had a lot of good memories. Currently, I have a good feeling about “Jams Diner” and love how they are supporting the arts as a local business.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Long and McQuade is where I get everything! But I have to give props to the BEST music studio in Calgary where I used to teach- and that’s Leroux Music. Mainly because the owner Bryan is a dear friend and one of the best humans to ever run a music studio.
