about Sarena.

Having filmed her first television commercial at the age of three, Sarena Paton found her passion for performing very early in her career. It wasn't long before she blossomed into a contemporary lyrical singer who recorded three albums and is poised for the international stage. 

Sarena's latest album La Carissima, features classical arias in Italian and Latin and breathtaking crossover compositions in Italian, Spanish and English, penned by Paton and top Canadian and American songwriters in the classical-crossover genre. Produced by Terry Sawchuk (Matt Dusk) and recorded with the rich bold, sound of a Russian orchestra, La Carissima appeals to classical and pop lovers alike.

In 2010, Sarena was thrilled to perform at Halifax’s The Music Room and for the Canadian government on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in the Senate Ceremony of Remembrance.  Sarena traveled to El Chaco, Argentina to perform with renowned counter-tenor Fernando Lima for the inauguration of the Museo de Bellas Artes Casa de las Culturas.  She was honoured for her trayectory as a lyrical singer and together they sang for a crowd of 15,000. 

In 2009, Sarena toured Ontario to celebrate the release of her recording La Carissima and traveled to Mexico & Spain to perform with Fernando Lima after a successful performance in Canada earlier that year. While in Mexico they recorded a duet with acclaimed producer/writer/arranger Jorge Avedaño Luhrs.  Sarena was nominated for 2009 Female Artist of the Year and 2009 Female Vocalist of the Year at the Hamilton Music Awards and performed at the Canadian International Military Tattoo.  She returned to Queen's Park for the second year to salute our veterans, soldiers and peacekeepers in song for Remembrance Day festivities. 

With a long-standing interest and involvement with the WWII Veterans, Sarena released her album Remember in 2006, produced by J. Richard Hutt (The Northern Pikes, Beverly Mahood); in honour of the veterans and peacekeepers of the past and present, especially those serving in Afghanistan. Aside from producing her own concerts, Sarena is one of the founding team members of a Remembrance Day concert tradition, which takes place at the Ronald V. Joyce Centre (Hamilton Place) every year.

Sarena's commitment to the veterans attracted the attention of Veterans Affairs Canada and she was invited to perform at the prestigious Senate Ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa during Veterans Week in 2006. She has been honoured to sing at a number of government ceremonies, including Queen’s Park in Toronto and throughout the province of Ontario at memorial services for fallen O.P.P and RCMP officers. 

At the age of sixteen, Sarena made her first appearance as a soprano soloist with the Boris Brott National Academy Orchestra and Vox Nouveau Singers. The following year, she presented her debut recital with songs in 6 languages and appeared at the 8th International Mozart Festival in Salzburg, Austria.

Then, she took the stage alongside Jim Witter in Memories of a Winter's Eve; and she performed the role of Christine Daae in the Canadian Phantom Unmasked tour with Peter Karrie.  

Sarena Paton has performed as a part of a backup ensemble for international music icons such as Susan Aglukark, Paul Anka, Sarah Brightman, Reba McEntire, Frank Mills, The Nylons, Roch Voisine and Michelle Wright.

Sarena toured France, Switzerland and Germany with a 20-piece jazz band, playing the Montreux Jazz Festival, ZMF Festival and the Juno Beach Memorial.

In 2008, Sarena sang the national anthem at the World Junior Hockey Championships. For the second year, she joined tenor John McDermott and Cape Breton songstress Rita MacNeil on their annual Christmas tours. She was the soloist at the 2007 World Synchronized Skating Championships and the 2007 Canadian International Military Tattoo.

Sarena Paton is also a recognized actress who recently completed filming NEDE, with first-time writer/director Izabela Ciesinska.  After a chance meeting, Sarena was invited to appear as the young wife in the debut independent short film NEDE. Chosen from hundreds of short films submitted, NEDE garnered a spot at the prestigious 2010 Montreal World Film Festival and Sarena is thrilled to celebrate such an achievement along with the cast and crew. 

In her youth, she played the recurring role of Velma Bugle on the Canadian classic television series Road to Avonlea. In addition to her 5-year spot on the renowned CBC children's series Mr. Dress-Up, she also appeared in Ready or Not, Katts and Dog and the feature film Married to It & Fly Away Home.

2011 is an exciting year for Sarena.  She is currently performing with Maestro Kerry Stratton and the Grand Salon Orchestra in a concert review of the music of Dame Vera Lynn.  She is in the studio writing material for her next studio album and continues to collaborate with other artists.  

After many years of producing her own concerts and exploring a variety of genres and influences, Sarena has found where her voice unites and resounds to communicate with gentle strength. Sarena continues to challenge boundaries and give herself to her audience fully as a singer, lyricist, performer and artist.  She is thrilled to use her voice to raise awareness for important social issues and charities such as Canadian Food for Children, Canadian Food Bank, Hamilton Food Share, MS Society, Alzheimers’ Association, Lung Association and the Canadian Cancer Society among others.  Sarena is grateful to to see her lyrical, crystalline voice and performances earning their place with crossover audiences on the Canadian and international stage.