Rhonda Stakich

Influenced and inspired by dance, drama and old-fashioned ideals, Rhonda Stakich has been living an adventure ever since she left her hometown of Edson, Alberta to pursue her love of performing. Rhonda began her travels as a an award winning dancer with her first steps taking her to the Yukon to be a part of Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gold Rush Girlies as a Can-Can Dancer. While she was busy kicking her legs up high, Rhonda was quietly falling in love with a different kind of performing, a love that has laid down a path for her ever since. Rhonda fell in love with music.
Rhonda went on to hone her musical chops in Edmonton, studying both Voice and Musical Theatre at Grant MacEwan College. Soon after graduating, she formed and fronted the Edmonton based original funk band, Bubba, with Dean Faulkner (Deerfoot), whose members included Kurt Ciesla (Corb Lund Band), Lyle Molzan (Jann Arden, Emm Gryner) and Greg Johnston (Peer Music). However, in the true spirit of adventure, Rhonda decided to leave this band of all-stars to move to Toronto to pursue a solo career.
In 2001, Rhonda landed in Toronto, and it didn’t take long for local audiences and the Toronto musical community to take notice of the woman, her voice and her songs. Rhonda has continued to develop her unique sound - a melodic and sophisticated blend of pop and jazz, always with a touch of her Albertan roots - that has set her apart from her peers. She has matured into one of Toronto’s finest musicians, earning her gigs at every major venue in the city including a residency at both the Cameron House and The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar.
Rhonda has independently released two CDs, There Were Years (2002) and Mary Mary (2005), both which continue to receive airplay on CBC Radio. 2007 saw the release of “Twirl Me”, a solo acoustic album recorded at the famed Woodshed Studio. Rhonda’s voice launched the 2007 Joe Fresh clothing campaign with Paul Pfisterer’s “Mixed Up” and has also been heard daily on the CBC’s Steven & Chris Show theme song.
In November of 2012, Rhonda returned to The Woodshed Studio with long-time drummer Tim Shia, bassist Gord Mowat, and guitarist Neil Hendry to record “Still”. The 11 Song CD was recorded and produced by Tim Vesely (Rheostatics, The Violet Archers) and features Steve O’Connor (Jim Cuddy Band) on keys. “Still” was released in September of 2013.