Former Hatter Marika Siewert and her 14-year-old daughter Zoey just released a new Christmas single 'Christmas is Here'.--Submitted photo
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com
Former Hatter Marika Siewert and her daughter Zoey have released a new Christmas single, ‘Christmas is Here’, available on all streaming platforms.
Marika Siewert is a multi-award winning Canadian recording artist, songwriter and actor, with numerous top 10 singles on the Canadian charts under her belt in everything from pop to gospel.
As an actor she has appeared on numerous projects with several networks. She is currently co-starring as “Ms. Sharp” on The CW’s Superman & Lois TV series. Siewert also recently added director to her list of credits, directing and starring in a full length Christmas film with Juno & Dove award-winning artist and songwriter Brian Doerksen, which both aired globally online and nationally across Canadian television and won her a 2021 Leo Award for best direction in a variety or musical series. (Tandem Tracks Promotion.)
“I grew up in England and then moved to Medicine Hat when I was 12,” recalled Siewert. “I spent my junior high and high school years in Medicine Hat and I did all my music at the Medicine Hat Cultural Centre.”
Siewert did piano and upright bass and participated in the Medicine Hat College Girls Choir and Jazz Choir.
“My drama teacher Karen Cunningham – who you can absolutely mention because she’s like the inspiration of my life – she was my drama teacher at Medicine Hat High School, and my drama classes going through high school were just incredible,” remarked Siewert. “She was an incredible mentor and encouragement in the arts growing up.”
Siewert moved to Vancouver to pursue music and released a couple singles that went top 10 on Canadian radio. She followed up with several more singles on the pop charts and then began writing and recording for the Christian music industry as well.
Siewert says her three children grew up in the film and TV industry and together they have worked for many different networks, such as Netflix, Hallmark, Bravo TV and more.
“Part of the reason our family does what we do is to help get more representation of mixed families on screen,” said Siewert. “Diversity, inclusion and representation is a huge part of why we want to influence culture so other mixed kids can grow up seeing themselves do their dreams.”
Siewert’s youngest, Zoey, is also an accomplished actress and singer. She is currently starring in a lead role in the CBBC/Family Channel show called Malory Towers and singing in the group Acapop! Kids.
The new single, ‘Christmas is Here’, is a song Siewert helped her daughter and a friend, Lilah Fitzgerald, write.
“We recorded a version with Zoey singing on it as a 10-year-old and now as a 14-year-old,” Siewert said. “It really encouraged me and I thought that it could hopefully inspire others.”
The video for ‘Christmas is Here’ was filmed in the Abbotsford and Yarrow area, both of which have been affected by recent floods in BC.
“We just wanted to shout out the local businesses in those areas just to support them,” said Siewert.
Siewert expressed gratitude for the support of her hometown.
“I always love the support of Medicine Hat,” she said. ” All of my family and friends are still there. I think part of the reason I do what I do now is (due to) my music and acting history in Medicine Hat, so the biggest thing is just a huge thank-you for the support.”
