Boris Derow grew up in Canora and has since become a well-known opera singer with performances in many faraway countries. When contacted recently by Canora Courier, he was preparing to sing in Pretoria, South Africa.
Derow said he was born in the Canora Union Hospital.
“I lived in Canora until I was 16 when I left to attend a private boarding school. I remember moving from Macintosh Crescent when I was about 3 or 4 to Garvin Crescent, where my parents Clarence and Alice lived until both passed.”
He said he has many fond memories of Canora as a youngster.
“It was like a cultural hub when I was growing up,” said Derow. “We had a strong school band program, an active dance school, competitive swimming and a rather large baseball league. I also studied piano in Springside near Good Spirit Lake for many years. Every spring, Canora, Preeceville, and Kamsack alternated as host towns for the Parkland Music Festival where I remember some pretty stiff competition between many of us.
“My love for singing was fostered at home as all of us sang in the local church choir which, if I may brag, nurtured at least five conductors who went on to be very active within their communities after leaving Canora. Not bad for a little town of 2300 souls.”
He said summers in Canora were always a lot of fun. Many families stayed in the area and the swimming pool always seemed to be packed all afternoon.
“Of course, being surrounded by three provincial parks was also a bonus. I remember many an evening at the drive-in at Crystal lake or heading to Sunnyside for the afternoon. As well, I participated in summer dance workshops which brought together dancers from Canora, Kamsack, Yorkton, and even as far as Regina,” said Derow
His parents were the “proud owners” of Lockhart travel. His father was an insurance agent with Wawanesa.
“He knew everyone in Canora and the surrounding area,” said Derow. “It made it very difficult for us kids to get away with anything because if we got stuck in the country on a joyride, the farmer would usually say, "Hey, aren't you Clarence and Alice's boy?" Mom was a travel agent.”
Derow said prior to getting his music career going, he gained experience in a number of different fields.
“Oh boy, what didn't I do? I was a paper boy, farmer, landscaper, roofer, construction worker, a plumber and I even DJ'd at Holly's in Yorkton.”
Derow said he originally wanted to build a career in dancing and pursued that dream in Vancouver, but things didn’t work out. He then turned to singing.
“I attended Brandon University for a couple of years as a voice major with the intention of moving to New York and getting on Broadway,” he said.
“I kind of fell off my path for a few years when I started getting better paying day jobs. But, I loved being on stage and would often jam with bands in nightclubs. That was always a blast. I toured with a rock band for a couple of years.”
Derow said he never got around to finishing his music degree, “My only thorn in my side. Grrr.”
He said it has taken time and persistence to build his singing career.
“Nothing ever happens quickly, even when you are a natural talent. Too often, those with the natural ability for performing give up when what is required of them surpasses that talent. So, my current place in life is from years of perseverance and a little bit of luck.
“So many highlights. I think sharing the stage in Manila with The Jets was pretty freaking awesome. I have sung or performed in Canada, the US, Taiwan, Indonesia, The Philippines, Germany, Italy, and now, South Africa.”
Derow said he has learned to enjoy challenging himself.
“My favourite part of this career is learning that new role that you thought was beyond your reach and nailing it,” he said. “At the same time the hardest part of what I do is going through the learning of a new role.”
Even though he enjoys performing in exotic locations around the world, Derow comes back to Canada regularly to take the stage.
“I just sang Don José in Carmen in August of this year at the Badlands amphitheatre in Drumheller, Alta. I will be singing the role of Radames in a concert production of Aida in Toronto later in November.”
With considerable experience already under his belt, Derow has some advice for young people in the Canora area who like to perform.
“Always strive for excellence. Enjoy the journey and believe me, it's a journey. The world is out there waiting to meet you.”
