Ria is one multi-faceted artistic lady! She is currently involved in: teaching and performing music, musical theatre, visual and sculptured arts, performing or working behind the scene at festivals, session recordings and gigging as a session backing vocalist.Her music career began at the age of 3 working the stage dancing and singing. She continued to perform all through her school years and in high school she began singing at weddings parties and everything. Ria joined a cover band not long after completing yr 12 and furthered her studies at the Conservatory of Jazz at Adelaide Uni.With enthusiasm to perform, Ria associated herself with a local theatre group and began her Musical adventure. Performing in J.C Superstar '96, she met Ben Ford-Davies (brilliant musician!) who introduced her to motivated, welcoming and influential people in the Blues and Folk scene such as: (Ben's Father and Ria’s Music Mentor), Blues craftsman and story teller Chris Davies. Guitar/composer professor, master guru Julian Barnett, and heart and soul of folk music, Ray Smith.Full of inspiration and support, she taught herself guitar and took to the long winding road to begin her song-writing journey. After 10 amazing months in the sun, she returned to Adelaide with ideas and tunes and started jamming/performing with some of Adelaide’s best musos in Soul/funk/jazz outfit ‘SpaCeJunK’ (01-05’) With full length album release '04 ‘Cosmic washing machine’ playing at numerous venues, corporate functions and festivals... and, in Melodic acoustic outfit ‘Suite’ which still plays around Adelaide at local venues, corporate functions and festivals. Releasing an E.P 'For the ones' in 2004'.With her fellow singing colleague Renee Donaghey, Ria has become one of Adelaide’s most sought after backing vocalists. Working with various local and overseas artists around Adelaide and nationally . She has been involved in many session recordings over the years at Sony studios, Sydney and at many Adelaide studios for independent songwriters. Ria also has recorded vocals on numerous albums as backing vocalist...including: Adelaide's JustaBoutEverything, ASD, Streamliners and Dwight Adams.
Ria was approached to play electric guitar and to help develop ‘Shock Rock’ girl band ‘Legless’. Enjoying numerous head lining gigs in SA/Vic and a tour to Japan they recorded a debut album in 2005 called "13 Killer tracks"…Ria has since left Legless after 4 years to pursue her solo and musical journey.
She has had two recent nominations in the South Australian Awsam music awards for Best Female vocalist and one for best female solo act. Ria has supported musicians such as: James Reyne (Suite), Michael Crawford (with The AUST Elvis show), Mal Webb (solo) Dave Mann collective (solo) Daryl Braithwaite (B.v's) Spiderbait (guest vocalist with A.S.D) as well as numerous national touring acts. Ria's other -other! Passion is spreadin' her Love of the craft of singing and music to the next generations! Teaching at Essential Talent/Actors Inc. Adelaide. Stirling Youth Theatre S.A. and Australian Company of performing arts S.A. Ria has played leading roles and chorus in local musicals ‘Tommy’ as the Acid Queen. 'J.C Superstar', Alice, in children’s pantomime 'Medieval Madness', and in original musical ‘Get Down’. She wrote the music for a children’s musical called ‘Believe’ performed at Adelaide Fringe Festival and has recently formed a new theatre company ‘Creative Souls Theatre’ www.creativesoulstheatre.com acting as Co-Director/Musical Director. Recently they performed their first show Disney’s ‘High School Musical’ in July ’07 at the Arts Theatre, Adelaide with rave reviews..and then "Magic of the far away tree" - at Dunstan Playhouse, Festival Centre S.A Aug '07
When it comes to Festivals, Ria’s there! Working for numerous years on the Adelaide Fringe, Woamadelaide and previously on S.A folk festival, Medieval Festival and National Folk Festival as M.C/Stage Manager/Front of house manager/Backline/Performer relations, as well as, live performances at Fringe, S.A Folk and National Fest. Ria has appeared as and extra in McLeod’s Daughters, and in a few student short films, she also has featured in short film 'Salvation Grey' and in a Fake film festival mocumentary.
With all this from past to present Ria will be venturing on a new journey with her song writing and performance in 2007. With the second half of the year being partly dedicated to recording her first solo album and performing her new works. More beats, more magic melodies and cultured lyrics...the story continues...
Ria’s performances have been described as:“Outstanding performer†– Sunday mail“ Smooth and soulful†– Music SA
“Her loving and trusting personality shines through in her lyrics and
Feel…reminiscent of 70s icon Karen Carpenter
With the R&B sensibilities of Sade..†– Furry Red Records'I could drink a case of you..darlin'...still I'd be on my feet.. '
