(March 26, 2007)

Sarena Paton, known to have one of the most angelic voices in our country, will perform the Canadian national anthem at the opening ceremony of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships on Friday March 30th at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario.

“I am ecstatic to be singing the national anthem at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. It is a great honour for me to participate and I am thrilled to be part of the opening ceremony,” says Paton.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m.

“I am a huge skating fan!” says Paton. “Skating is the perfect combination of sport and art. I am always amazed to watch how fearless and graceful the skaters are and the years of passion and dedication it must take.”

Paton trained as a classical soprano. At the age of sixteen, she made her first appearance as a soprano soloist with the Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra and by the age of seventeen, she presented her debut recital with songs in 6 languages. She has participated in various events such as the Phantom Unmasked tour with Peter Karrie and the 8th International Mozart Festival in Salzburg, Austria. She’s also been a backup singer for artists like Paul Anka, Sarah Brightman, Reba MacIntyre, and Roch Voisine.

After graduating with the Alumni Gold Medal, a B.A. Honours in Spanish and a minor in music from Wilfrid Laurier University, Paton embarked on a full-time and independent music career and produced a jazz album entitled Almost Like Love and many of her own concerts. She is most proud of the annual Remembrance Day concert she started in her home town of Hamilton.