Sylvia Tosun

An expressive vocalist and composer drawn to pop, rock, dance music, electronica, and additional styles, Sylvia Tosun entered the world in the countryside of Wolcott, Connecticut, on a dairy farm run by her father. A broad spectrum of artistic and spiritual currents reached her through family channels. Professional musicians among her maternal great-grandparents had left Italy for the United States and performed on the vaudeville circuit. On her father’s side, a grandfather served as a Muslim holy man, while her parents adopted practices from both Jewish and Catholic traditions. Music filled the household throughout her childhood, and early listening centered on Ella Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, and Barbra Streisand. Rock & roll later captured her attention, with Queen and Ozzy Osbourne becoming particular favorites. Piano and dance lessons began at age eight; once high school ended, she departed for New York City to launch a music career. Juilliard training followed, after which her creative direction expanded across numerous genres. She has appeared as a featured vocalist with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the New York Grand Opera Company. She also conceived and produced the musical theater work The Venus Concert, drawn from the legendary story of the goddess of love. Tosun took part in the inaugural pop event staged at the Great Wall of China, an occasion that also included Cyndi Lauper and Alicia Keyes. An album titled Anthem, Vol. 1 presents her fresh arrangements of ten national anthems from various countries. Multiple tracks have reached the Billboard dance charts, among them 2005’s “Sanctuary,” 2006’s “Sleepless,” 2008’s “Underlying Feeling,” and 2011’s “An Angel’s Love.” Additional partnerships link her with prominent dance and electronic figures such as Andrew Rayel, Talla 2XLC, Binary Finary, DoubleV, Aly & Fila, Loverush UK, and Armin Van Buuren. Her own independent releases comprise the 2000 EP Too Close to the Sun, the 2005 album Jump In, and the 2007 document of The Venus Concert.