Taylor Mitchell is an 18-year-old singer songwriter whose engaging vocal style and captivating lyrics belie her young age. Praised by such Canadian luminaries as Lynn Miles, Justin Rutledge, and Michael Johnston, Taylor has just finished work on her debut full-length recording - a collection of mostly original songs that showcases a range of styles, from folk to country-rock to pop, and reflects the diversity of her talent.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, she studied music and dance from an early age, graduating in 2008 from the prestigious Etobicoke School of the Arts with a major in musical theatre.

In 2006, Taylor met Suzie Vinnick, a Maple Blues award-winning artist. The two forged an instant connection, and went on to co-write two songs that will appear on Taylor’s full-length debut, to be released in early 2009.

In 2007, Taylor was invited to participate in the Youth Mentoring Program at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) Conference. Taylor mentored one-on-one with Juno award- winner Lynn Miles. Miles was so impressed by the young singer-songwriter that the two went on to write another song that will appear on Taylor’s debut recording.

Taylor also collaborates and studies with Michael Johnston, who recorded her first EP in 2007. When Taylor approached Michael about recording an album’s worth of original material, Johnston enthusiastically agreed to produce.

Johnston enlisted an all-star cast of musicians to serve as Taylor’s band in the studio, including John Dinsmore (Kathleen Edwards), Anne Lindsay (Jim Cuddy Band), Jason Mercer (Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith), Justin Rutledge and Noel Webb (Skydiggers). Both Vinnick and Miles also appear on the recording.

In August 2008, Taylor began recording at Dinsmore’s Lincoln County Social Club studio, in the heart of Parkdale, in downtown Toronto. Taylor’s album was recorded over 5 days, in an organic, live-off-the-floor fashion. Engineered and mixed by Chris Stringer (Rush, Jory Nash), the 10 songs include a haunting duet with Miles on “Diamonds and Rust” by Joan Baez, and a Crazy-Horse style take on Gordon Lightfoot’s “Love and Maple Syrup”.

Taylor was also a Canadian youth finalist in the 2008 Mountain Stage Newsong contest, and performed two songs at the finals held as part of the Ottawa Folk Festival. Taylor Mitchell plans to tour folk clubs and festivals across Canada in 2009, coinciding with the release of her full-length recording.