Michael Lewis on stage with the Canadian orchestra.
Renowned Highland singer Michael Lewis has received a standing ovation following his Canadian debut.
The 18-year-old performed with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, prompting the orchestra’s chief executive officer to describe him as “one of the greatest finds yet”.
Michael, from Newtonmore, has garnered a huge number of fans for a voice and performance style that drawn comparison with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé.
He recently travelled more than 4000 miles to Saskatchewan to star in Croon, a celebration of the Great American Songbook, performing with the orchestra as part of the TD Sask Jazz Festival.
The remarkable story began almost two years ago when Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra chief executive Mark Turner stumbled across one of Michael’s performances while scrolling through TikTok.
Introducing Michael to the audience, Turner shared how the chance discovery ultimately led to the young Highland singer making his Canadian debut: “I was doom-scrolling on TikTok when this video of this kid singing Paper Moon came up.
“I was just blown away.
“You’re about to hear Michael’s singing, which is unbelievable. He’s only 18, he’s only been singing for a couple of years, and he has the musical poise and timing of singers of long gone by.
“It has been a great pleasure in my career to connect our orchestra with great young artists, and I think Michael Lewis is one of the greatest finds yet.”
Michael’s performance concluded with a standing ovation from the Canadian audience, capping an extraordinary international debut for the young Scottish singer.
Michael’s manager Jo de Sylva said: “For the CEO of a major symphony orchestra to discover Michael through TikTok and then invite him to perform in Canada is an incredible story in itself.
“To receive a standing ovation on his first international orchestral performance at just 18 years old is something very few young artists experience.
“Michael is a genuinely young singer performing the Great American Songbook with the confidence and polish of artists several decades older. He has an instinctive understanding of these songs that simply can’t be taught, and we believe this is only the beginning of what will become a significant international career.”
Discussions are already under way regarding further performances with orchestras in Canada and other international markets, with Michael’s Canadian debut expected to be the first of many overseas appearances.
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