As per hdsander on last.fm
Tori got an early start on turning this dream into reality. Born in 1983 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to a British father and an American mother – both professional musicians – at the age of four Tori moved to the UK, where her dad worked as a choirmaster in the most prestigious cathedrals.
Growing up in a musical family – older brother Jesse is a concert pianist – sparked a lifelong interest in and affinity for music. Her journey started at the age of three, when Tori sang duets with Jesse. By four she progressed to playing the piano, and at six, mastering the violin.
“I grew up listening to many styles of music, including classical, jazz, blues, and pop,” she recalls. “But my dad had the biggest influence on me as he always played the piano in the house, composing music for either TV or movies.”
By eight, Tori discovered a talent for writing her own songs while accompanying herself on the piano. At about the same time she joined the choir at St. David's Cathedral in Pembrokshire, Wales, where her father was the choir director. She was immediately singing at eight services a week, and only four months later performed her first solo. “My soul comes alive when I sing,” she says.
At 13, Tori started to write her own songs, often recording them in her father's studio. She then went on to study at St. Aidan's Church of England High School in Harrogate, where the music department was very strong. She played violin and percussion in the school orchestra, oboe in the school band, and sang in three choirs. She spent many hours after school singing, playing the piano, and continuing to write her own songs.
The following years saw Tori perform – and win – at several singing competitions. At 16, she composed a song, called “Now's The Time,” for England's “Voices of Promise” songwriting competition. Hundreds of schools entered but Tori was chosen as a winner along with 12 other schools, the milestone that allowed her to record with the London's Foundation Philharmonic Orchestra and a professional band at London's Air Studios, with Sir George Martin (ex-Beatles manager) acting as executive producer. She later performed her song solo in front of 4,000 people at the Millennium Dome in London, accompanied by the same orchestra and band.
This “amazing experience,” as she calls it, prompted the same organizers to ask Tori to compose another song, “Why,” to perform at the Millennium Dome during the celebration of the Remembrance Day, Britain's equivalent of the U.S. Memorial Day. She performed that song in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,000 people on November 11, 2001.
After graduating from college in 2005, Tori toured the country recording with various top U.K producers, and eventually signing with an independent label to record an album. She completed a music degree at Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, further developing her voice as a soloist.
Feeling that her home country would offer more opportunities, Tori will soon be returning to the United States in order to launch her debut album. “I want my music, voice, and lyrics to touch people's hearts,” she says.
Although she realizes that many difficulties lie ahead, Tori's positive attitude and unwavering motivation keep her focused on her goals. “At times it can be very hard to earn a living as a musician,” she notes. “But if I keep pushing myself and giving it my all, I know I will succeed.”
