Chyrell Samson has been singing in Toronto for over 15 years.  Blessed with a voice that’s often described as angelic, she started singing before the age of 3, recording nursery rhymes and songs caught on tape by her mother.

The School Years

Chyrell studied at Dominican College i n San Juan from Kindergarten to High School.  She had her first singing competition in school when she was nine and sang “Bayan Ko’”.   At 12, she auditioned and became a member of the Dominican College Glee Club.  And at 14, she joined the Agustian Choir at Santuario de Santo Cristo in San Juan, Metro Manila where she grew up. She was also baptized at the same church.

Her love for music continued on until college at the University of the Philippines where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. But the aspiring doctor couldn’t be kept away from singing.  As a UP student, she was a member of the UP Manila Chorale and the UP Concert Chorus, the official choir of the university. Led by the late, highly-respected Professor Rey T. Paguio, the multi-awarded choir exposed Chyrell to diverse styles of music, allowing her to fully hone her talent. From show tunes, pop and jazz, to spirituals and contemporary music, and all the way to Filipino zarzuelas and grand classical operas, Chyrell learned them all and performed with the choir at different events. These include the 1994 Metro Manila Film Festival and the Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Pinas, as well as guest appearances on national TV shows like “Ryan Ryan Musikahan” on ABS-CBN channel 2 and on “A Little Night Of Music” on GMA channel 7. They also performed for dignitaries such as former Pres. Corazon Aquino and the Philippine Senate for the 1991 National Day of Prayer held at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila.

In University, aside from singing,  Chyrell was also a member of the following associations:

Toronto

Moving to Toronto in 1995, she joined the 11:30 choir at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, the Carlos Bulosan Cultural Workshop, as well as the Himig Pilipino Choral Ensemble, a non-profit cultural group based in Mississauga. In 1998-2007, she became a vocalist for the ‘Yan ‘Yon Band.  She did back-up vocals for David Pomeranz, Joey Albert,  Nora Aunor , Hannah Villame and  Jolina Magdangal.  She sang a duet with Nonoy Zuniga in his 2000 Toronto concert,  entertained VIP guests at the Martin Nievera and Vina Morales press conference and  at the Piolo Pascual dinner meet and greet.  Other Filipino artists she’s performed with are Jean Lopez, Billy Castelvi, Anthony Castelo, Yoyoy Villame and Mike Hanopol.  She has also worked and recorded with Canadian Idol 2007 Winner Brian Melo. She has performed at several venues around the GTA such as the CNE, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, John Basset Theatre, Roy Thomson Hall, Living Arts Centre, Harbourfront, Jane MallettTheatre and other places.

Chyrell’s community involvement also includes lending her time and talent to festivals, shows, concerts, and fundraisers around the GTA.  Some of these include:  Carassauga (1996-1999, 2008), Mabuhay Philippines Toronto Festival (1997-2010), Toronto’s Caravan,  Carabram,  Lunar Year Festival (2003),  Making Waves Festival (2007-2010), Asia-Pacific Rim Celebration (2000), Guelph’s Multicultural Festival (1998),  Philippine Independence Day Celebrations (2006-2010), Road To Asia Festival (2006-2010) and many more.

Chyrell’s beautiful voice and commanding stage presence is a perfect fit among Filipina beauties, making her a favourite guest performer for pageants. She’s serenaded audiences at the 2011 Beauties of Asia Pageant 3rd Audition, 2003 Miss International-Canada Presentation Night &Party at Manhattan Fuel, 2002 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant at Jane Mallett Theatre, the 2001 Miss Manila Pageant at Bickford Theatre, the 1999 Ontario Search for Miss Universe, the 1998 Miss Toronto-Universe Pageant and the 1997 Miss Manila Pageant.

Critics can’t help but notice Chyrell’s exceptional voice quality, earning her many praises and a number of awards. Among her list of accomplishments include being a Hall of Fame recipient for the Ontario Regional Songfest, as she grabbed the Grand Champion title three times— one in 1996, another in 1998 (together with a People’s Choice Award), and lastly in 2000. She also placed 2nd runner-up in the 1998 National Songfest in Montreal, and was a finalist in the 1996 National Songfest in Ottawa. She was also the TUKLAS 1995 Grand Champion & Female Vocalist of the Year.

Her first major concert
After the postponement of her first solo concert in April 2003 due to the onset of SARS, “An Evening with Chyrell Samson” finally pushed through at the Jane Mallett Theatre on the 27th of September 2003. But before her long-awaited solo concert, she’s been featured in other mini-shows. Such as “The Stars of Tomorrow” (1996), “The Ontario Regional Songfest ‘98 Grand Champions In Concert” (1998). She also participated in the first and consequent productions of A.M.O.R. (Arts, Music on Reflection), an umbrella group created for visual and performing artists, where she performed her original compositions.

Theatre experiences
An all-around talent, Chyrell has a slew of theatre credits to her name. Her recent performance was the role of “Mimi” in the musical “Miss Saigon” produced by the City Centre Musical Productions in 1998 and was also in the musical “Ragtime” in 2006. She played the role of “Kalayaan” in Images of 1896, an adaptation of the musical “1896” which is an original musical by PETA Philippines. She also played the role of “Aling Juana” in Walang Sugat for the Carlos Bulosan Cultural Workshop, a community theatre group that seeks to reflect the struggles and achievements of Filipino-Canadians through popular theatre education. In the musical Godspell (originally done on Broadway, and based on the gospel of St. Matthew), she played the role of “Lamar”. Other theatre experiences include, The Song of Mark (a musical based on the gospel of St. Mark), Bulaklak Ng Kabundukan, a zarzuela with the UP Concert Chorus, and Cartas de Amor, the love story of Dr. Jose Rizal and Leonor Rivera, recounted through letters and love songs.

Adventure in Songwriting and a debut CD
Chyrell’s first adventure in songwriting was when Ms. Donna Amorsolo, her music teacher in 4th year high school asked all students to write a song for their final exam.   Everyone submitted a song and fortunately, her song was one of the two songs chosen to be sung on graduation day.  She led the graduating class with her song  ”Golden Memories “.  This started her love for songwriting. Constantly dabbling in composition touching on themes of love, friendship and reminiscences, Chyrell recently released her single, “Waiting for You” at the 2003 Mabuhay Festival. It was arranged and produced by Rodney Ronquillo, who is a Toronto-based Producer/Arranger/Singer/Songwriter. Her self-titled debut album was released at her solo concert in September 2003 and available on CDBaby, Itunes, Rhapsody and other online stores.

Chyrell and Rodney married in 2007.

Fundraising Concerts
In 2005, together with her husband Rodney Ronquillo, started an annual concert fundraiser called “A Chyrell and Rodney Christmas Card” and has given to charities such as Children’s Aid Society, Free the Children, Gawad Kalinga and Konnect Community.  Other fundraisers Chyrell was involved with are: Rebuilding People’s Lives (2006) for victims of the Leyte mudslide, Unity Concert: Rebuilding People’s Lives (2009) and “One, Hand, One Heart” (2008) for victims of Typhoon Ondoy and Pepang; Royal Bank’s Annual Early Risers Charity Breakfast and Talent Show and many more.

Other volunteer activities
Aside from volunteering in singing, she has also lent her time to other organizations.  She was a volunteer at the Hospital for Sick Kids from 1997-2000, Heart and Stroke Foundation as a Health promoter and fundraising support and also helped in the “Ride for Heart” annual fundraising event. Other ones are: Canadian Cancer Society, Konnect Community, YourWorkplace Conference 2010, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Scarborough General Hospital and other non-profit organizations.

Organizations/Affiliations in Canada:

Carlos Bulosan Cultural Workshop, now Carlos Bulosan Theatre (1996-1998)
Himig Pilipino Choral Ensemble (1996-2007)
University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Toronto (Member: 1996-present)(Council Member: 2009-present)
Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) (Member: 1997-present)
Tinig Himig Pinoy AM530 Event Coordinator (2007-2010)
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)