About

Charissa found her voice naturally at a very young age and was inspired by artists like Stevie Nicks, Queen, Whitney Houston and Alison Krauss, singing along to their songs before she’d hit double digits. Her folksy, soulful music reflects her love and influence of these artists. After dusting off the acoustic guitar in her grandfather’s basement, she began to teach herself how to play and was frequently busking in the streets of her hometown Burlington, Ontario and playing at a local café to gain performing experience.

At only twelve years old, Charissa played in front of her largest crowd winning the Rising Star competition at the historic CNE Bandshell stage. This sparked a flame in her to continue her musical journey. A year later she was a finalist at the Hamilton Music Awards Rising Star competition where the late Skip Prokop of Lighthouse saw her talent and encouraged and mentored her to continue to pursue her dreams. Since then, she has been honing a thoughtful, meditative approach to songwriting and finding a sound that suits her authentic self. She has developed her own distinctive style embracing and revealing her love and influences of various musical genres.

Charissa released her first single,”I Got My Girls” independently with Wilson Daniels Music in 2017. The following year, she released her second single “Feel Good Song” which landed at #8 on Yangaroo’s top 10 most active Indies in its first week.

She has also collaborated with some big names in the Canadian music scene, including Tom Wilson (Junkhouse and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), Singer/ Songwriter Lori Yates, and Guitarist Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo). After signing her first record deal with Coalition Music Records in 2019, she released her debut EP “Love and Be Loved” in March of 2022 which was produced by Cripps and recorded live in the chapel at Coalition Music in Toronto.

Her latest single, “Can’t Hold Me Down” was released independently in the fall of 2023. The song is a powerful anthem that invites the listener to search inside themselves to find the courage to not let anyone or anything hinder the pursuit of their true passions.

She’s travelled to Nashville for songwriting trips and open mics and has really grown to love playing intimate songwriter shows. She has been a part of many local songwriting showcases over the years - “Unplugged North” at the El Mocambo, Country Music Association of Ontario “New Faces” showcase, Hamilton “Artsfest” at the Westdale Theatre, Canadian Country Music Association showcase at Mill’s Hardware and Nashville’s Legendary Bluebird Café, to name a few. Charissa has also been a part of various music festivals including Burlington’s Canada Day, Grimsby’s Happening at the Forty and Newmarket’s Splash of Culture.

At heart, Charissa is a storyteller. "The best stories are ones that don’t shy away from honesty. I'm going to write what I might be afraid to say out loud,” she says. “As an artist, I think sharing your own truth is important.” Always being one to march to the beat of her own drum, her lyrics bare all, covering love, heartbreak and pain, reflecting wisdom beyond her age. That vulnerability, combined with her lush, flowing arrangements and powerful vocals makes her a force to be reckoned with.

Charissa’s latest single "Lonely Lately" is set to be released in May 2024. She is currently working towards her next EP.