Queen of Hearts is a rare musical partnership – Three very different women, possessing three distinct voices that blend so seamlessly, you’d swear they’ve been singing their signature brand of soul-infused, R&B/Pop together all their lives.

In fact, the trio – Alessandra, Sasha and Nikole – have only been singing together for a little over two years, since meeting at a Toronto area audition in late 2009. For all three landing a spot in the group was a dream come true – A chance to finally share the talents they’d nurtured individually since childhood with the world, and a justification of the choices and sacrifices they’d made in the hopes of doing so.

Nikole explains “When we auditioned for that group we didn’t know each other at all, but we have a way of meshing that’s rare, and for three strangers to say, ‘let’s stick together’, there has to be something there.”
Clearly, there is. All three are vocal powerhouses, and each brings something unique to the table. The result is a mix of sheer power and sweet, smoky soul that showcases their ample individual chops and uncanny knack for crafting incredibly tight harmonies in equal measure.

Firmly convinced in their strength as a unit, QOH immediately began looking for the right people to help them develop their sound. At a packed 2010 showcase at Toronto’s Tryst Nightclub they found them; songwriting/production team, Sammy Blues and Bobby Brass of Kuya Productions Inc. (Nelly, Ginuwine, Jesse McCartney, Girlicious, JRDN).

Since, Queen of Hearts have continued to hone their sound and expand their already substantial vocal chops, posting a series of standout cover songs on www.qohmusic.com and collaborating with high profile R&B, pop and soul songwriters in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. Among them: Lazonate Franklin (co-writer of Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s ‘Telephone’), Rob Allen (Rihanna), KC Livingston (Pussycat Dolls) and Lil’ Eddie (Jennifer Lopez, P. Diddy, Kylie Minogue), who co-wrote Queen of Hearts’ first single, ‘Look At Me Now’, with Kuya.

For Alessandra, the urge to sing was a product of growing up in a musical home, attending a performing arts school, landing roles in musical theatre productions and studying classical voice with a private instructor. “I first picked up a microphone at the age of three,” she says. “My dad had an old stereo and it was our ritual every night after dinner to sing songs from Disney’s Beauty and Beast together and record it. My musical tastes, however, I attribute to my mom. She played Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox every chance she could; artists that I still consider my greatest vocal influences.”

For Nikole, it was a sudden realization. “I heard Selena on the radio when I was eight-years-old. My mom saw my facial expression, and went right out and bought me the CD. I took it home and learned every single song, singing alone in my bedroom. From that point on I sang all the solos in my school choir. I got such a rush out of that.” Like Alessandra, Nikole continued to hone her talents by attending performing arts school, in various vocal and theatre groups, while studying dance and classical piano and taking on increasingly diverse roles in the productions and groups she joined.

As Sasha recalls “I started singing when Whitney Houston released one of her hits from The Bodyguard. I remember listening to it, going outside by myself and trying to sing it. I never stopped from then on.” She decided to join her local church choir and began singing in talent shows – improving her skills every chance she had. "When your family owns and operates a restaurant, finding opportunities to practice isn't always easy." But practice she did, turning her sheer passion for music into a recipe for success. Sasha is a dreamer that isn't afraid of a hard day's work. As she puts it, "Effort is critical. If you really want something, you've got to dedicate your whole life to it."

For Queen of Hearts the investment is paying off; in a well-deserved shot at a chance to live their dreams, and in an opportunity to instill in others, particularly young girls and women, how important embracing their individuality, celebrating their differences and being comfortable with exactly who they are is to realizing their goals, whatever they may be.

On QOH’s lead single, ‘Look At Me Now’, that’s a message that comes across in every line.