Growing up, Emm Gryner dreamed about being a singer, but she didn’t have a natural singing voice. “I took vocal lessons and worked really hard. I went from being a small town girl from Camlachie to performing on major stages around the world with a rock legend.” Gryner has recorded over twenty albums, toured with David Bowie, performed on Bowie’s albums Bowie at The Beeb and Glastonbury 2000, and collaborated with Chris Hadfield on his version of Space Oddity. “There has been an ebb and flow to my career. I wrote some songs, but couldn’t sing. I learned to sing, and I landed a worldwide record deal. Then I was dropped from the worldwide record deal, but through it all I’ve been true to myself and what I really wanted to do.”
Gryner has been writing songs since she was ten years old. “Inspiration for my writing comes from my life. Anything I have difficulty expressing or finding words for comes out in my songs.” She is currently putting the finishing touches on her first jazz album. “My dad is a huge jazz guy, so for Father’s Day I wanted to make him a jazz album. He chose the eight standards and I wrote two originals for the album.” Gryner is also in the process of writing music collaboratively and launching a new band. “I’m trying a lot of new things right now and that’s really exciting.”
Another one of Gryner’s new projects includes writing a book about singing that is being published by ECW Press in Toronto. “The book teaches people how to sing and explains how my voice has helped me navigate my life.” Two years ago, the release of David Bowie’s live album, Glastonbury 2000, coincided with a challenging time in Gryner’s life. “When I listened to the album, I could see myself on that stage, and I could feel how empowered I was then. I realized that singing has always been a path to healing for me, so the book also connects music and wellness.” In 2018, Gryner’s speaking career launched in Sarnia at a Famous 5 Speaker Series event. “Speaking is a relatively new world for me, but it’s important to share stories because they help us to feel less alone.”
Gryner is also a vocal coach. “Initially, I did not want to teach. I would rather have been sprayed by skunks, but then someone came to me and asked me to teach them to sing, and I discovered I really enjoyed it.” Gryner realized that coaching and mentoring others has also taught and healed her. “I spent a lot of time trying to get attention or to have my albums heard. It all feels like a bit of a dead end until you start giving to others.” Mentoring provides Gryner with the opportunity to show others how to navigate the music industry and balance work and life. “Music has given me some amazing experiences. I’ve travelled all over the world and met some amazing people. It’s a pretty good gig.”
When Gayle Tidball opened The Glass & Pillar Spa in 2006 she wanted to create a business where people came to enjoy themselves. I love this industry for the transformation it offers a person. Making people feel good and seeing them relax in this space is so important to me, Tidball shares.
Born and raised in Sarnia, Matt Dochstader went to Mohawk College, in Hamilton, to study broadcasting. After graduating, he landed a job with a visual effects company in Toronto. "I did a lot of commercial work for national brands like Dove, Home Hardware, KIA, and Telus. Visual effects is the last"
Robert E. Dale Limited, Consulting Engineers was founded in 1991. I started the firm with my wife, Linda. I had worked in the industry for seventeen years and we had always talked about starting our own company, says Robert Dale. Their original location was on Pontiac Drive, before moving to V
To say the Toronto Raptors winning an NBA championship in 2019 has had a great influence on the sport of basketball in Canada is an understatement. It was huge, says Joe Rocca, who along with his brother Mike, runs the Rocca Elite Basketball Academy (REBA) in Sarnia, Ont. I have seen an inc
In 1957, the International Symphony Orchestra (ISO) was formed when the Port Huron String Ensemble in Michigan amalgamated with the Little Orchestra Society of Sarnia. Both orchestras recognized that by joining forces they could flourish, not just survive. This international co-operative venture bri
Don Nesbit bought The Cobbler Shop, located at 1143 Confederation Street, from his father, Don Nesbit Sr., in 2011. The original shop opened in 1991 and was located right across from our current location. He started out by repairing shoes, luggage and sports equipment and selling shoe care products.
Nick Nassiokas is a man with a plan. In 1971, Nick arrived in Sarnia seeking a better life for himself. He came with the strength and courage needed to "make it" in Canada. Soon after arriving in Sarnia from Greece, he knew that one day he wanted to own a business of his own. His dream came true in
In 2015, Bo Tait's friends took him to an indoor axe throwing range in Toronto for his bachelor party. None of them had ever been axe- or knife-throwing before. We had a great time. It's all we could talk about. We came back home to Sarnia and built targets in our backyards. Six weeks later,