Promo Song/New Release: Nearer My God to Thee
Artist: Jake White
Style: Instrumental

DarinSoutham.com

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Song Title:	"A Way to You"
Musical Style:	Ballad
Download Song (.mp3):	Download (3.0 MB)

About Darin Southam

Darin has been performing for many years vocally, as well as in theatre and motion picture. He has a passion for music, and performance. "Few things move us like music does. If I can play some part in moving another human being through this medium, I want to do so."

Darin mostly sang in groups until early in the year 2000 when he was given the opportunity to solo, "Bring Him Home," from Les Miserables. "It was a scary experience. I had never sung a solo before, so I just let my love for the song carry me through." That performance led to several more opportunities to solo. "That was the year that I really came to know my voice. I didn't even know it was there until I let my fear and pride go." Through his solo opportunities that year, he came in contact with a local songwriter, with whom he recorded a CD. "That CD was never published, but it was such a great learning experience for me. I learned firsthand the time, practice, stamina, and precision it takes to record a good album. In hindsight, I can see that I just wasn't ready. That recording was done before I had any personal vocal training."

The following year, Darin was chosen to sing with the University of Utah's A Capella Choir, now called the University Singers, and had solo opportunities with them as well. He enrolled in a semester of just music classes and he also began taking private voice lessons from Dr. David Power, now the Associate Dean of the University of Utah's Music Department. "Those were wonderful times. I remember sneaking into the Chamber Hall in the music building to play their 9ft. concert grand Steinway. The sound was amazing and just echoed crystal clear in that empty room - so beautiful. I would just let the world go away for a while. When I was caught for the third time playing it by the front office person, she said, 'Are you just crazy!,' but I couldn't help it - the temptation was too great (laughing)." Darin's voice continued to develop and at the end of that year, when he graduated with a degree in Speech Communication, he began deciding what his next move should be.

"I wrestled with law school and business school for a while. I knew that I would always have opportunities to perform here and there, but I didn't know how much further it would go than that. A dear friend said to me once, and I have never forgotten it, 'Some of my greatest blessings have been unanswered prayers.' I sincerely believe that, because at the time I just couldn't figure out why neither of the options I was considering seemed to line up." The confusion Darin experienced was soon resolved when, after a particularly meaningful performance, a very gracious individual approached him and expressed a desire to help him pursue music as a profession. "That event completely changed the course of my life. In the past, several people had expressed that I should pursue music as a profession, but never had anyone offered to help me do it. I had this amazing opportunity placed before me and, though it was not without its fears, I made the decision to embrace it with my whole soul."

After a few phone calls and a personal recommendation, Darin connected with Jay Richards, a local well-known producer, to assist him with the production of a professional album. Darin has studied voice under Dr. David Power, Dr. Judd Sheranian, and is currently coached under David Schmidt, author of gottasing DVD.

Darin's new album was released in stores in August of 2005. It introduces 3 original songs that Darin wrote; "A Way To You", "Me Puedes Amar (You Can Love Me)," and "The Valley Clear". In addition to these new sounds, it also features freshly orchestrated hits, such as "What a Wonderful World" and "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge.

"My intent with this album was to produce something upbeat and easy to listen to, which also would be inspiring to touch the soul. If that has been accomplished than its end has been met."

"I am so grateful for the gracious individuals who have made this possible."