Yes, they are all sisters and yes, they are all still in their teens.  Audience members are always surprised that those young ladies up on stage aren’t quite as old as they think.  “They sure look a lot older up on stage”, is a common refrain.

The Vissia Sisters have been entertaining audiences together for six years.   In Canada, they have performed from Vancouver Island to Ottawa, from Peace River to Medicine Hat with many points in between.  Internationally, they have performed in Tennessee, Arizona and Japan.

When they began back in 2000, they were a popular attraction on the western music circuit.  A few years later they were introduced to bluegrass music.  Alexandra (18), Aleisha (16) and Andrea (14), the Vissia Sisters, have embraced the acoustic instrumentation of bluegrass and combined it with a country flavour, to produce a blend of folk that they like to refer to as roots music.    

They love putting their own twist on old covers, but these multi-faceted musicians’ true passions lie in writing and performing their own material.   Their new album, set for release in early 2008, will feature all original songs written or co-written by the three sisters.

The Vissia Sisters continue to explore their craft and make music a huge part of their lives. 

 

 

“The first time I saw the Vissia Sisters was during the 2005 Canadian Finals Rodeo media launch at Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta.  I was so taken with their performance and vocal abilities that I immediately booked them for a future hosting opportunity with ATCO I-Tek’s clients. Alexandra, Aleisha, and Andrea performed for the ATCO Group of Companies at a reception hosted by our company prior to the opening ceremony of the Canadian Finals Rodeo in November 2006.  The girls delivered strong vocals and a compelling performance to our clients, impressing everyone in attendance with their musical talent.  I was also pleased with their professional conduct during setup and breakdown as well as during the show.”
- Colleen Foster, Manager, Corporate Communications, ATCO I-Tek , November 2006

“I hired  the Vissia Sisters as an opening act for our Friday Night Headliner “Adam Gregory” on August 18th, 2006. I must say they more than fulfilled on stage what I was hoping for. From their lyrical genius, musical diversity and vocal harmonies these three young women wooed the crowd with applause that was endless. Their natural country charm comes from their souls with a freshness that leaves one to feel graced after working with them. Amazing, Simply Amazing.  They are stars in their own light.”
- Karen L. Clevette, Entertainment Coordinator,Vancouver Island Exhibition, Nanaimo, BC, August 2006

“The Axe Music Songwriters Workshop Tent filled in a hurry Friday as a cloudburst had everyone running for cover on the Jamboree midway.
Not only did the 400 or so in attendance save themselves a soaking, they got a glimpse of what is on the horizon of Alberta's country music scene.
Continuing to impress are the three young Vissia sisters, who combine bluegrass instrumentation and sweet harmonies with endearing original tunes, largely written by the oldest sister Alex, who is all of 17 years old. Her 13-year-old mandolin-playing sister, Andrea, sang the lead on Little Bo-Peep, a song dealing with the cliquish nature of girls in public schools.”
- Peter North, Edmonton Journal, August 5, 2006

“The Vissia Sisters wowed the crowd with great vocal harmonies, emerging but solid musicianship and a very developed stage presence for such a young collection of performers.  Andrea at 12 years old was the youngest and sang lead and harmonies while playing mandolin.  Aleisha, the 15 year old of the group played guitar, banjo and also sang lead and harmonies.  Her vocal development was stunning and shows where her younger sister is headed.   Speaking of stunning, Alexandra at 16 played very solid lead and rhythm guitar and displayed a great ear for slide on the dobro.  She led the band in every way, holding down the front person spot like a seasoned pro and like her sisters sang with a warm pure voice. 
    The magic of vocal harmonies can be at their best when put together by siblings and these three girls nailed ‘em up.”
- Leigh Friesen, Anchor Advertiser, Edson, AB, October 24, 2005

“With many great young acts, audiences flocked to the family stage located in the Big Valley Jamboree Marketplace Trade Show. One act in particular wooed audiences with their unique brand of Bluegrass country, the Vissia Sisters, who hail from Stony Plain, Alberta.”
- John King, Camrose Canadian, Sunday August 07, 2005

“Hello from Ottawa!  We saw the show yesterday and are very impressed. You gave the best performance of the day! What a wonderful sound and such a fresh outlook! My husband and I gasped when you said your ages, such bright futures. We give it 6 months before everyone else in Canada is singing along!  Keep it up girls; your dreams will come true!”
New Fans in Ottawa- Melissa & Terry, May 9, 2005
 
“Thank you so much for traveling to Brooks to be part of our young Albertans Night.  We all enjoyed you so much, and your choice of pieces for the show was very appropriate.  I loved the yodeling song you did in the lobby post show.  You are lovely young ladies, and endeared yourselves to the audience from the very beginning of your segment.”
- Marilyn Jackson, Newell Concert Association, January 11, 2005

“Our Country Music Week celebrations at City Hall were a great success!  Before our program even began, your sound check lured people into the seats and had the room buzzing with excitement. Throughout your set, each new song you played showcased a different facet of your singing and instrumental talents.  As songwriters, you have a maturity that belies your young ages.  Your performances are filled with energy, and you have a strong, polished sound steeped in the roots of traditional country music.  Audiences can tell from your friendly stage presence and beautiful harmonies that you enjoy making music, and put all your heart into what you do.”
- Jeremy Derksen, Communications Coordinator
 Don Belanger, Corporate Promotions
The City of Edmonton, September 20, 2004

“The feedback from the event has been tremendous.  The inspired performance given by the girls drew rave reviews.  They did themselves and Junior Achievement very proud.”
- Glenn Wiun, Game Day Director, Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club, May 27, 2004

 “Introduced to a brand-new audience at the Junior Achievement gala was a music trio to keep an eye on.
The Vissia Sisters, from Stony Plain, captivated the large audience with their charm, exquisite harmonies and, already, songwriting skills.”
- Graham Hicks, The Edmonton Sun, May 21, 2004

“…VISSIA, which is Norwegian for Little Dixie Chicks.”
Danny Hooper, 20th annual Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Gala, Wednesday, May 19, 2004

 “THE VISSIA SISTERS Aleisha, Alexandra and Andrea – honing their talents to soon rank among Canada’s next Rising Stars in country music.”
- Bill Borgwardt, Country Music News, October 2003

“And keep an ear out for a trio of Edmonton girls, The Vissia Sisters. They're a yodeling sensation in the making.”                                      
- Garry Cooper, Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine, October 2003

“Among the musical entertainers were the Vissia Sisters: Andrea (10), Aleisha (12) and Alexandra (14) from Stony Plain.  The young trio has become a popular attraction on the western circuit and they never fail to bring the house down with the harmonies and yodeling.” 
- Bill Borgwardt, Country Music News, July 2003

“One of the big highlights of the festival was the Vissia Sisters…The crowd was charmed by their stage presence, sense of humor and their ability to yodel.”
- Trudy Van Dyck, The Anchor, August 11, 2003

“- you were a big hit!  I heard so many positive comments from the audience, including “I have goose bumps just listening to them…”  Keep up the great work.”
- Shirley Hauck, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

“The young ladies had the crowd hopping and were a treat for all in attendance…” - Omar Sieben, Nilsson Bros.

“The Vissia Sisters, fresh from their performance at The Big Valley Jamboree, sang in front of the log cabin like three angels.
- Reid Anderson, The Reporter, August 2002  
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Highlights

  • Tour of Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, JAPAN
  • Canadian Country Music Week 2005, Gospel Showcase, Calgary, AB
  • Winspear Centre, Global Festival of Stars, Edmonton, AB,
  • Alberta Scene, Ottawa, ON
  • Merritt Mountain Music Festival, Main Stage, Merritt, BC
  • Big Valley Jamboree, Camrose, AB – Axe Songwriter’s Tent, Family Stage, Bulls for Breakfast
  • Vancouver Island Exhibition (opening act for headliner)
  • Athabasca River Rats Festival
  • Ponoka Stampede, Grandstand Stage, Ponoka, AB
  • Calgary Stampede Events
  • Edmonton Capital Ex Events
  • Canadian Finals Rodeo Events
  • City of Edmonton Events -  Juno Awards,  CCMA Awards, Alberta Centennial
  • CBC City Centre Stage, CFCW Bonanza Park Stage,  Newcap Stage
  • Soft seat venues
  • Cowboy Poetry Gatherings, Jamborees, Opries, Country Music Festivals 
  • Fairs, Rodeos, Community Halls, Corporate Functions
  • Charitable Organizations, Schools, Senior Homes
For a complete listing of all past performances please visit: http://www.vissiasisters.com/pastperformances.html

 
  • Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination,  Young Performers of the Year category, November 2006
  • 2nd Runner-up, Canadian Youth Talent Competition, (nation-wide ages 13-21)    November 2006
  • Release of single “Blue Sky” to Canadian Country Radio, August 2006
  • Winning Act of the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival Showcase Stage 2006
  • Fans Choice Awardat the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival Showcase Stage 2006
  • Grand Winning Act 2006 Northern Star Talent Search
  • Release of second 5-song EP, Bend in the Road, April 2005
  • North American Country Music Association International 2005, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
      • New Country Group of the Year (Youth Mixed Age): Vissia Sisters       
      • Most Promising Female Entertainer of the Year  for Traditional Country (Age 7-12): Andrea Vissia
      • New Country Female Vocalist of the Year (Age 13-16): Aleisha Vissia
      • Bluegrass Female Entertainer of the Year (Age 13-16): Alexandra Vissia
      • New Country Songwriter of the Year (Age 13-16):  Alexandra Vissia
  • Canadian Finals Rodeo Country Vocal Spotlight 2004 sponsored by: CFCW & Global Country:
      • Open Division Grand Winning Act:  Alexandra & Aleisha - duo
      • Junior (under 12) Division Winner:  Andrea – solo
  • Alberta Foundation of the Arts  – Recipients of Projects Music Grant 2004
  • Alberta Arts Touring Alliances’  -  Young Albertan Showcase 2003
  • Release of  inaugural CD  the “Vissia Sisters”, June 2003
  • Alberta Showcase
  • CTV’s “Good Morning Canada”
  • "A "Channel’s Big Breakfast
  • Global Television
  • CFRN News at Noon
  • Filming of CBC pilot project
  • CBC Radio Canada

 

CCMA Canadian Country Music Association
SOCAN Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada
ARIA Alberta Recording Industry Association
AFM American Federation of Musicians of the Canada and United States, Local 390
Global Country Heritage Foundation Alumni Members

   
 

Alexandra Rose Vissia

I started taking piano lessons at age 5, singing at age 11, taught myself guitar at 12/13, resonator guitar a few years later, and songwriting since age 12.  Before music, I danced.  Ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, song and dance, I did it all.  My heart was set on becoming a professional ballerina.  Professional ballerina became astronaut in sixth grade, thanks to an incredibly inspiring science teacher, but then my mind shifted from studying stars to the possibility of becoming one.  That is when the music took over. 

Music is a passion for me.  Listening, watching, writing, thinking, learning, wondering, playing, teaching, composing, analyzing, criticizing, whatever it may be, I love music.  Whichever course my life takes, music will always have a very special place in my heart.  This may sound corny, cheesy or cliché, but I assure it is no more than the truth.

I can’t wait to see where this road leads.  There are a lot of things unknown, but I think that what happens happens, and what is meant to be is meant to be.  Despite the uncertainties and infinity of questions in my mind, I am not worried.  How could I be, with two of the most amazing people I will ever know, right here beside me for the whole way?  There are no two other people I would rather be doing this with than my sisters.

I hope that you find a piece, even if it is just a small corner, of our music to enjoy. 

Peace.

 

Aleisha Raquel Vissia

Hey, I’m Aleisha, my friends call me Alee, and I am the middle sister. I am 16 and I am in my second year of high school, grade 11.

My first onstage performance was in grade one. I played the role of “Mary” in my class's Christmas pageant, and I also played the piano while my class sang "Silent Night".  I think I was born to be on the stage.  I love everything: dancing, acting, singing and playing.  I am very passionate about performing; even in grade 6 when I got my first lead role in a musical theater play at school.  However, my true dream is to sing and be a successful musician. When I hear a song that I like I want to learn it even if I know we won’t perform it on stage.  I love music!

My mom first introduced me to music when I was six.  She put me into piano lessons.  I didn’t enjoy it much, I was very jealous of Alex because she could play anything. So of course I grew so frustrated that I quit, I couldn’t take it and the piano couldn’t take my fist! I still wanted to perform music so I took singing lessons when I was nine, and not long after that I started to play guitar. So I have now been playing for seven and a half years. I also picked up the banjo just a year and a half ago. I am always trying to learn new songs and write my own material.

But I don’t only like country and bluegrass music.  I listen to musical theatre, folk, modern rock, jazz… there aren’t a lot of musical styles that I don't like.  Just like I love all different artists like Stabilo, The Weakerthans, Wilco, the Killers, Alison Krauss, the Beatles, the Dixie Chicks, Death Cab for Cutie, Norah Jones….and the list goes on.

As far as a musical influence goes my sister, Alex, is actually my musical influence. She makes me want to work hard in everything I do. I love her unique style and amazing ideas. When we practice and I see her playing it sometimes makes me jealous because sometimes she is better than me, but it makes me want to work harder and become a better musician and singer. I love her!

When I’m not performing and practicing, I like doing normal teenager things.  I go out to movies, go swimming at the river, hang out with my friends, play badminton, and go bike riding. I would like to learn to snowboard too. I also spend a lot of time on my own. I like being alone; sometimes it’s good thinking time and I think everyone needs a little bit of that, to sort things out. I love spending time with Alex and Andrea.  We have our own girl nights where we eat ice cream and watch chick flicks.  I love how I can trust them with any secret…well unless it’s about a boy!  But they’re amazing, they inspire me! I love them so much and I’m glad I get to live my dream with them!



 

Andrea Michael Vissia

Well I’m Andrea but I’m also known as Andi.  I’m the baby and the ham!  So with me you get the whole package!!  Hahahaha!  Yes I tend to use sarcasm and humor in my daily life.  I’m 13 years old and in grade eight.  Top of the school!

My first musical inspiration was…Alex!  She took piano from age five and I really looked up to her.  I always heard Mom and Dad praising her at her expertise in piano.  So I guess you could say that I took up music for attention and I was a little bit jealous, but not a lot!  But she inspired me too.  I can remember getting upset when I couldn’t play a new piece perfectly and Alex was always trying to help me, but sometimes I’d just pound on the keys and throw a fit!  But I hung in there. 

Before I learned to play piano, I was in dance, from the age of two.  When Aleisha was nine she started guitar (before that she also played piano, but she soon gave up on it) and had been taking voice lessons a little while before that.  Soon after Alex decided she wanted to sing too, and of course, I followed. 

We all entered the Country Vocal Spotlight in 2000.  Alex was runner up.  Since I was only seven at the time I didn’t even make it past preliminaries, but both Alex and Aleisha did. 

The next year we all tried again and again in 2002, skipped 2003 and brought it home in 2004.  I won in the Junior Division and Alex and Aleisha won the Open Division as a duet. 

That’s were our traveling started!  None of us had ever been on a plane before and part of the prize pack was a trip to Nashville and Pigeon Forge, Tennesse for a national competition.  Since then our singing has taken us to Ottawa, Four major cities in Japan and to Arizona.  We love to travel, but there’s no place at home and my own comfy bed complete with memory foam!!  Sweet dreams to me!!

I started playing mandolin when I was nine and within six months I was playing it on stage.  There are a few songs that I play penny whistle on and I just started learning the fiddle, so hopefully before too long, I’ll be accomplished enough to add it to some of the songs on stage.

As far as song writing goes…well lets just say it’s not one of my expertise, yet!  But I’m working on it!  That’s probably where Alex and Aleisha inspire me the most. 

Aside from singing I enjoy hanging out with friends, horse-back riding, playing volleyball, basketball, badminton, and a little bit of soccer.  I’m no pro in sports though, my asthma slows me down a bit.  I love my sisters and they’re my best friends in the whole wild world (because this world is wild) and I can tell them anything!  I wouldn’t choose anyone else to do this with.




 
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