Audio Slides: Tiffany Desrosiers singing RISE ABOVE

One thing that has become increasingly important to Tiffany Desrosiers over the past year has been using her voice and talent to bring awareness to causes that can "hope-fully help in the betterment of the world."

Well, that's exactly why the 24-year-old Murrayville singer and songwriter is doing this weekend when she joins a trio of other singers at the Popera For Life.

"This particular fundraiser we are holding is to help a charity called The Vancouver Friends for Life Society. This society serves as a catalyst to help those dealing with life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and AIDS," she told the Langley Advance.

"I've personally known people affected by life-threatening illnesses, in particular cancer. My uncle died at the age of 44 from multiple myeloma and left behind a wife and two small children. My uncle was a physic-ally healthy man and it was excruciating for our family to watch him deteriorate over a very short period of time," she shared.

Returning from a recent U.S. tour and a few shows in Ontario, Desrosiers will join tenor Marc Devigne, baritone DJ Calhoun, and soprano Melody Mercredi - along with pianist Kinza Tyrrell and violinist Janna Sailor - on the stage at The Clutch in Vancouver this Sunday.

She is "very excited" about this weekend's show.

"I will be joined by three incredible talents who I absolutely love singing with- The music is popera style, with two men and two ladies (including myself), and we will sing everything from Adele to Pavaratti. Be prepared for some unexpected humour and, of course, expected romance as well," she said.

But Sunday's concert isn't the only charity project that's caught Desrosiers' fancy.

"I am also a sponsor for Voice for the Horse (VFTH), a cause located locally, which is aimed at helping abused and neglected horses, and bringing light where there's darkness in an industry that has been hard hit," she explained.

Desrosiers' been asked to help write and record the horse group's international theme song, and is currently involved with the group's fundraising efforts and attempts to recruit sponsors for the project.

Raised in a Langley, Desrosiers made her entrance into performing with music, acting, and dancing.

After landing various TV/film roles such as Shannon McNulty in an episode of the TV series Millennium, mischievous Tina in Disney's The Ultimate Christmas Present, and various principal commercial roles, she stepped onto a musical pathway that soon became her focus.

Her travels led her to work with L.A.'s legendary vocal coach Seth Riggs (who has worked with Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and Stevie Wonder). He was wowed by her voice and introduced her to music manager Dan Cleary (Natalie Cole) who managed her until his retirement.

She made her presence known to thousands when she was hand-picked to perform the theme song Because We Dream at the 2010 BC Summer Games opening and closing ceremonies.

And Desrosiers, who won last year's Langley Has Talent, released a pop/dance song called High this spring.

She performed that song last month at the Vancouver Men's Fashion Week, and with a classical crossover girls group, The Three Graces, at a corporate event in Toronto in September.

"It's super upbeat and really fun. It was to follow up a dance remake I did of Bad English's When I See You Smile, which hit No. 10 on the UK Pop Club Charts last year," she said.

So, what's ahead for the up-and-coming musician? A lot more singing, if she can.

She'll be touring with two classical crossover groups that will be blanketing the western U.S. next February and March.

And in the meantime, Desrosiers will be doing a music video in the near future for a song she co-wrote and recorded called Rise Above.

"It's an inspirational song about people who have lost their way moving through tough times in life and is meant as an encouragement to not give up when they feel hopeless."

Tickets for the Nov. 27 Popera fundraiser are $25, and available by calling 6042511363, or online at: tickets.theclutch.com.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com