Biography

The Early Years

University of British Columbia (UBC)

After graduating from Queen Margaret's School, Corinda took a summer job to pay for studies at University of British Columbia ("UBC") in Vancouver. Though she looked forward to her studies, she quickly realized the formal course structure didn't suit her.
She tried a voice coach, Alexandra Browning Moore, who was a great dramatic soprano, but this did not manage to inspire Corinda for her studies at UBC. Corinda returned to her parents' home in Innisfail, and, after a short break, returned to UBC to give her studies a second try. Even with this second attempt, it still did not feel like the program suited Corinda.

That's when she made the decision to move to the Victoria Performance Program with Victoria Conservatory of Music, part of Camosun College.

Victoria Conservatory of Music, Camosun College

In 1988, Corinda auditioned for the Performance Program at The Victoria Conservatory of Music and was accepted. This was a small program with several great teachers. Ilona Bartolus, who started the Kodaly Method of Music, challenged Corinda with, "it's to be difficult for you because you are so… talented."

Her vocal coach in Victoria was Catherine Young, who had Corinda sing everything from Mozart to Andrew Lloyd Webber, which added vocal variety to her studies.

Still immersed in her studies, Corinda decided to go to an audition for "Oklahoma!" presented by the Victoria Operatic Society.

Oklahoma!, Victoria Operatic Society

The auditions for Oklahoma! were advertised in the local newspaper. After her audition, Corinda was pleased to get a call-back. But the producers asked her to sing with a number of people for each role, and to dance with them, as well as run through different parts of the script, which made her very nervous.

That night, she got a phone call from the show's producer, Sue Brillinger, who asked Corinda if she realized she was the only call-back for "Laurey," and that they were auditioning the other actors and singers for their on-stage chemistry with her.

The most challenging scene for Corinda was the angry argument scene with "Jud," played by Charles Harman. During the many rehearsals, the musical's director, Milt Wright, really pushed her hard on this scene.

Interestingly, right outside the theatre they were filming "Bird on Wire" (Mel Gibson & Goldie Hawn), which caused not only commotion, but created opportunities for the cast of Oklahoma! to interact with those working on the movie.

Oklahoma ran for two weeks at Victoria's McPherson Playhouse, with an extra performance added due to popular demand.