Actress-singer Sheila Houlahan will be in the film “The Little Things” starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto slated for release next year. But you can see her Saturday in Marysville, where she will be singing in two holiday performances.
Houlahan, 28, is the featured soloist in Sonus Boreal’s “A Northern Sound Christmas” concert at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at Marysville United Methodist Church. She will sing two of her favorite Christmas selections in her mezzo-soprano voice: “Qui Sedes” and “Breath of Heaven.”
“Christmas music is my favorite music of all,” said Houlahan, who has a bachelor’s degree in music and voice performance with a focus on opera singing from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. “It’s hard to pick a favorite holiday song, but these are two of my favorites.”
Sonus Boreal is a Snohomish County women’s chorus based in Marysville and directed by Stuart Hunt. It is one of two North Sound Choirs formed in 2010. The choir’s name is of Latin origin and literally means “north sound.”
A Seattle native, Houlahan has performed with the Seattle Symphony and for “Slumdog Millionaire” composer A.R. Rahman in Las Vegas. Her voice is featured in the Cirque du Soleil’s “Volta” and for the video game “Destiny 2” soundtracks. She won an American Protégé International Voice Competition award in 2012, and was a winner at the Washington District Metropolitan Opera Competition in 2014.
Houlahan has starred in the films “Wallflower” (2017) and “Beloved Beast” (2018), as well as SyFy’s “Z-Nation” and Discovery Channel’s “The Wonderland Murders” TV series.
Choral director Hunt, formerly of the Seattle Girls Choir and Marysville Pilchuck High School, knew Houlahan before she became a Hollywood star.
They reconnected recently via email. Houlahan let Hunt know she was filming a movie — her first major motion picture — with Denzel Washington, Hunt’s favorite actor. She mentioned that she regretted missing the opportunity to study as one of Hunt’s students years ago. He left the Seattle Girls Choir just as he would have become her teacher.
So Hunt invited Houlahan to sing with Sonus Boreal.
“I grew up singing with the Seattle Girls Choir, and Mr. Hunt was one of the main conductors there,” said Houlahan, who has been singing since she was 6. “I always really loved his musicianship and was so excited to work with him.”
In addition to Houlahan’s selections, the “A Northern Sound Christmas” program will include the songs “Away in a Manger,” Cool Yule,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Mary Did You Know?” Hulahan will join Sonus Boreal in singing “Still, Still Night” and “This Endris Night.”
Laurie Breon is the accompanying pianist.
Right now, Houlahan is in production for “The Scottish Play” series on Amazon Prime. After that, she’ll star in the film “Suicide Monroe,” set for release in 2020.
Now with about 30 members, Sonus Boreal formed nearly 10 years ago as an alumni choir for Stuart Hunt’s students, be they graduates of the Seattle Girls Choir or Marysville Pilchuck High School. A year later, Northern Sound Choirs opened membership to all women and girls in Snohomish County. However, the girls choir is currently on hiatus.
BethAnna Counsellor, who graduated from Marysville Pilchuck in 2001, and sang with two of Hunt’s choirs all through high school, is the only remaining founding member of the choir. She said she is beyond excited to share the stage with Houlahan.
“I have listened to her (sing in) videos on her website — just gorgeous!” said Counselor, who serves as the marketing director for Sonus Boreal. “She has a full, rich sound to her voice, great vocal control. I would say it’s brilliantly resonant with a fabulous sparkle.
“What a prestigious honor to warmly welcome Sheila into (our) midst.”
Sara Bruestle: 425-339-3046; sbruestle@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @sarabruestle.
If you go
Sonus Boreal’s “A Northern Sound Christmas” concert featuring soloist Sheila Houlahan will be performed at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Marysville United Methodist Church, 5600 64th St. NE, Marysville. Tickets, available online or at the door, are $15 general admission, $10 seniors and students, $12 groups of five or more. Children 5 and younger get in free. Call 425-948-9196 or go to www.northernsoundchoirs.org for more information.
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