Debi Wong’s grandfather paid a hefty head tax to enter Canada. Now, his granddaughter has plans to conquer Europe – 17th Century Europe, that is.

For the past five years, the 23-year-old UBC Voice major has immersed herself in the worlds of Baroque and Renaissance music. This Sunday, the young mezzo soprano makes her solo debut at the Orpheum Theatre with “He Was Despised”, one of 15 arias in George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah.

Each year, the Vancouver Bach Choir invites 15 emerging soloists to perform at its Sing Along Messiah concert – one soloist for each aria. Wong was hand-picked for her solo by Vancouver Bach Choir conductor Bruce Pullan, who also happens to be her singing teacher.
“He knows my voice really well, and had me sing a few of the arias for him,” says Wong, by phone.

“I’m really excited,” she enthuses. “I’ve never sung with an orchestra before. I know it’s a really good opportunity for students and singers who are working on becoming established.”
Wong has her doctor father to thank for her musical genes.

“My dad is a really good guitar player and singer,” she says. “Growing up, he did the same things I’m doing now – writing and performing music.”

When she’s not singing arias or studying music theory, Wong fronts her own indie folk-pop band, Birds and Kites, and will be releasing a CD with them next spring.

Does she prefer the band over baroque music?

“I honestly can’t choose between them,” she says. “I love singing in my band because I get to write songs and perform them for people and have them react to what I’ve created. But then again, I grew up with classical music and have studied it all my life. It’s my passion.”
Wong is unapologetic about being an “early music dork,” as she calls herself.

“There are all these great stories behind the texts in baroque music that aren’t always [apparent],” she says. “For my graduate studies, I plan to make these stories come alive for my audience.” With all this music experience under her belt, does Wong admit to getting stage fright?

“I get nervous singing classical music,” she says, with a laugh. “I never get nervous singing in the band, but there’s just something about walking out onto the stage…Still, I heard the Orpheum is an easy place to sing solo in, so that’s good.”

The Sing Along Messiah takes place at 2.30pm, Sun Dec 16, Orpheum Theatre (649 Cambie St). Tix $28.25, festival seating. Info: www.vancouverbachchoir.com.