Sarah Vanderzon is a singer/songwriter who’s musical stylings blend folk, pop and country all into one. Her voice is clear and soft, with a raspy tone that will grab anyone’s attention. While she presents herself with authenticity and warmth, that was not always the case for a kid who avoided the spotlight most of her life.

Sarah grew up in St-Bruno, Quebec on a dirt road that nobody in town really knew about. Her childhood was filled with family get togethers, exploring abandoned barns and filming skits with her brothers. From a very young age, her parents noticed her love for singing, but also knew their daughter to be very self-conscious. Out of respect, they never pushed her into vocal lessons. However, at 8 years old, they enrolled Sarah in piano classes, hoping this would help her growth in music. 

Fast forward five years and our young star was warming up to the idea of performing, but only if she could hide behind the keys.

“Having an instrument with me was my safety blanket,” Sarah shares, “It was really the only way anybody would hear me say anything at all really.”

At 16, Sarah picked up the guitar and started exploring writing, taking inspiration from conversations with friends and family members. It was only in her early 20s — identity crisis after identity crisis —  that this late bloomer started sharing her own experiences at coffee shops, bars, and bistros around the music scene in Montreal.  

2023 marked a big year for Sarah as she was a finalist on Quebec’s spin off of The Voice, “La deuxième voix” coached by Quebec icon Roxane Bruneau. She used this experience to grow her fan base by becoming more present on social media and releasing her EP “Same Sad Eyes” in the same time frame.

Her mini album reflects her first heartbreaks (Copy Paste, I Wanna Know) and the much unwanted but necessary lows in life (I Don’t Know Myself at All, Lasso the Moon). 

While Sarah wasn’t quite sure if her sound was country enough, Vanderzon took a chance and applied for the Emerging Artist Showcase at Canada’s largest country music festival, Boots and Hearts, where she won the 2024 edition. 

This up and coming artist just might be your next favourite Canadian singer.