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Guelph high school choir performs with artist Melissa Etheridge in Niagara Falls

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High school students from Guelph sang with Melissa Etheridge at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls. CTV’s Ashley Bacon has that story.

The chamber choir from Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute hit the stage in Niagara Falls on Wednesday to perform with Grammy and Oscar winner, Melissa Etheridge.

The singer is known for hits like ‘Come to My Window’ and ‘I’m the Only One.’

Thousands of fans cheered the students on and it was a night some of them say they’ll never forget.

“It was magnetic. It was amazing,” said choir member Tessa Sercerchi.

They said the crowd was electric during the performance.

“It was very cool to see such an active audience support us as a choir as well, not just be excited for us coming out to sing with Melissa necessarily, but to be excited for us to be on stage,” said Brie Lamer, another choir member.

melissa etheridge Melissa Etheridge and choir students from Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute. (Submitted/Julia Blakeney)

The choir performed two songs with Etheridge.

Andy Radke, a fellow Guelph resident and lifetime fan of Etheridge, captured some of the performance on his cell phone.

“I had goosebumps. I was blown away,” said Radke.

Radke said it was great for Guelph to be represented at the show.

“I was proud because I don’t know if these kids realize that they’re performing with what I consider a living legend. She’s been a mainstay for close to 40 years now, so it was something special, absolutely,” said Radke.

On Thursday afternoon, Etheridge posted a video on Instagram, where she talked about the performance with the choir.

“It was so fun!” she said.

This isn’t the first time this group has performed with a well-known artist. In June 2024 they hit the stage with Foreigner in Toronto.

“Once we get on stage and they experience that for the first time, I really, truly think it is life changing for a lot of them. They catch the rock and roll bug and then we hope to do it again and again,” said music teacher Lane Osborne.

As for what’s next with the group, Foreigner has asked for an encore. They’re going to perform three shows with them. There will be two shows in Windsor in July and another in September in Toronto.