From singing along to karaoke tracks as a child in northern Alberta to touring across Canada with the acclaimed Indigenous musical Bear Grease, Cree artist Tammy Rae is stepping into a new chapter of her career with the release of her debut EP, Higher.
Raised between Whitefish Lake First Nation and Gift Lake, Rae says music has always been part of her life. Although she wrote her first song at 17 years old, singing began much earlier.

“I’ve been singing since I was six years old,” she says.
Growing up in northern Alberta, Rae did not have access to arts programming or music teachers while attending community school. Much of her musical education came through self-teaching, satellite television and listening closely to artists she admired.
“I was really drawn to R&B,” she says. “Artists like Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child were huge inspirations for me.”

Rae recalled receiving Carey’s album Butterfly as one of her earliest musical influences. She spent hours singing along to songs such as Fantasy, learning vocal riffs and techniques through repetition and practice with a karaoke machine.

“That’s really how I learned,” she says. “Watching artists perform and trying to recreate those sounds helped shape me as a singer.”

With no formal training opportunities available nearby, Rae learned by listening carefully and practicing constantly. Looking back, she says those early years taught her resilience and creativity, skills that continue to shape her work today. While music remained a passion throughout her life, Rae initially pursued a career in education. She worked as a teacher for several years before an unexpected opportunity changed the course of her career.

Rae joined Bear Grease — an Indigenous adaptation inspired by the classic musical Grease — despite having no formal dance or acting experience. She was personally selected to portray the character Rezzo and quickly immersed herself in intensive choreography and rehearsals.

“I had my last bow in December and was with the production for four-and-a-half years,” she says.
What began as a short performance at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival quickly evolved into a national touring production. Rae says the original 20-minute performance sold out within 15 minutes, highlighting a growing appetite for Indigenous-led musical theatre productions.

“There’s such a need for Indigenous musicals and musical theatre,” she says. “We got to experience that growth firsthand and tour coast to coast.”

Leaving behind the stability of teaching to pursue theatre full time was a major leap, but one Rae says ultimately changed her life. Touring with the production allowed her to connect with Indigenous audiences across Canada while helping bring Indigenous stories and humour to mainstream stages.
“It was such a beautiful experience seeing people connect with the show,” she says. “A lot of people saw themselves represented on stage.”

The production also opened international doors. Last summer, Rae spent two months living in New York City while performing with the show, an experience she described as life changing.

“It was the best experience I’ve ever had,” she says.
Living in New York exposed Rae to a completely different artistic environment and inspired her creatively.

Surrounded by music, theatre and performance every day, she says the experience pushed her to think more seriously about her own artistry and the type of music she wanted to create moving forward.

Since leaving the production, Rae has focused heavily on creating and releasing her own music.

Her debut EP blends R&B, soul, pop and contemporary influences while incorporating Cree language and storytelling throughout the project.

“All of my favourite artists are from the U.K.,” she says, pointing to performers such as Adele, Sam Smith and Emeli Sandé as inspirations behind the album’s sound.

The EP was recorded in Vancouver while Rae was touring with Bear Grease.

Produced by Quinn Pickering, the project features five tracks exploring themes of identity, healing, ancestry and resilience.

One song, Stay, draws directly from Rae’s personal experiences and has already resonated strongly with listeners.

“That song is very personal to me,” she says.
Another track, Here With Me, honours ancestors and explores the ways loved ones continue to guide and walk alongside people spiritually.

Ignite a Fire was composed alongside a live orchestra, while Just Like You — originally written in 2018 — addresses struggles many people face in their daily lives.

Rae says the song was later used during a United Way campaign and eventually placed in the top 10 in Edmonton.

“It talks about real issues and comes from a place of passion,” she says.

The EP closes with Higher, a more upbeat and soulful track centred on joy, confidence and embracing life.

Rae says music allows her to express emotions and experiences in ways conversation sometimes cannot.
Incorporating Cree language into her music is authentic to her and reflects her commitment to language preservation.

Sara Driedger
Lakeside Leader