Mirusia is an Australian born Soprano with Dutch heritage. She was born on March 29, 1985 to two Dutch parents in Brisbane, Australia. Her mom is originally from Brabant and her dad from Zeeland. Mirusia’s parents, a boiler-maker and a nurse, moved from The Netherlands in their twenties after being granted a permanent residency visa to Australia. Mirusia speaks fluent Dutch with a slight Brabant accent 🙂

Mirusia’s aunt, who lives in the Netherlands, contacted André Rieu to tell him about her niece’s talent. He listened to her voice on her website and phoned her straight away and two days later she was standing before him in his studio ready to sing. The rest is history as they say, With 14 years of extensive international touring and successful concerts under her belt, Mirusia is one of the most sought after sopranos in the world.

Her albums always place highly on the ARIA Album and DVD chart rankings, with numerous albums and DVDs reaching the number one position on the Pop, Classical Crossover, Jazz & Blues and Music DVD Charts in Australia. Mirusia studied opera at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium in Australia and at the age of 21 was announced as the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Dame Joan Sutherland Opera Award. After graduation, her career blossomed when she toured the world as star soprano with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra for over 10 years.

Mirusia’s Ambassadorship

Mirusia has signed on as an ambassador of the not-for-profit nostalgic broadcast service, Silver Memories. Mirusia said the goal of the program was to give the joy of music to aged care residents all over Australia. Mirusia has achieved recognition as an international performer, singing many styles of music including opera, musical theatre, pop and jazz. She is also well versed on performing for aged care residents. “My mother worked in aged care when I was younger, and she would often ask me to sing for the residents.

From a very young age, I experienced the positive power of music on the aged, so I am beyond excited to be part of the Silver Memories community, and to offer my assistance as a volunteer at the Silver Memories studio,” she said. In November 2021, Mirusia performed 60-minute live concerts at various aged care facilities, showcasing music from the past. Silver Memories general manager Gary Thorpe said it would be a thrill for residents to see Mirusia at their aged care homes.

“Most will only have seen her in André Rieu concerts on their TV,” Mr Thorpe said. Silver Memories is a specialised nostalgic music service providing reminiscence music therapy for older Australians helping to combat the severe loneliness experienced by older Australians, especially during COVID lockdowns. “The service is designed to help residents spark conversations, feel re-connected, reminisce and recall memories, and improve quality of life,” Mr Thorpe said. He said the program was backed by research and clinical studies, proving it was highly-beneficial to older Australians, carers and aged care staff.

The unique broadcasting service is both advertisement and disruption free and includes a visual service. The service is especially needed during COVID restrictions and lockdowns to help elderly Australians feel socially-engaged and connected. “Research shows that around one in four Australian seniors are affected by social isolation, and our service is proven to show a significant improvement in quality of life and depression for residents at aged care facilities,” Mr Thorpe said.The service is available nationwide via satellite installation or app and includes a range of resources, monthly-themed concerts and events, music requests and birthday call outs and a program guide. It is supported by the Australian Medical Association and Alzheimer’s Australia. More on silvermemories.com.au

This is what Mirusia has to say about her new album ‘Songbird’

“This album is about stories about my life and the different styles of music I love to sing – through music. I really enjoyed recording this album and it has been in the making now for two years. Denis Walter (well known Melbourne Radio Announcer and singer) dubbed me “Australia’s Songbird” and it got my manager, Robert Rigby, and I thinking about all the lovely songs I have sung over my many years of being a performer – and even before that time when I was just a kid growing up in Australia but loved singing. As a Classical Crossover artist, we tend to sing many different genres and I actually started out in Country Music, but it just didn’t sit right in my voice. However, on Songbird I have recorded a Classical Crossover Country version of Dolly Parton’s well known hit “Jolene”, and so far the feedback about this recording has been astonishing. I am so proud of all the songs, they are all a part of my musical soundtrack, as are all the artists on the album. “