Raised primarily in Nova Scotia, Canada, rocker Tara Slone began her career with musical aspirations of a different sort. As a young opera singer with classical voice training since the age of 12, she began working on a music degree at 18.

But it didn't take long before Tara's artistic path veered in a different direction; she switched to the theater program at Montreal's Concordia University, then, at age 22, moved to Toronto to pursue an acting career and start a band.

In 1996, Tara answered an ad in the paper and became the lead singer of Joydrop. The band signed with Tommy Boy Records a mere eight months later. Joydrop went on to release two albums, work with acclaimed producer Ron St. Germain (Creed, Tool, Soundgarden), produce the rock hit "Beautiful," and be nominated for a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy. Tara even got to appear opposite rocker Tommy Lee in the music video for one of their singles, "Sometimes Wanna Die."

Since the breakup of Joydrop, Tara has spent time working on a solo album with producer Jordon Zadorozny, who has written with Hole.

Tara's sophisticated and soulful sound has been compared to some of the greatest female rockers, especially Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. An avid fan of such classic rockers as the Beatles (her favorite), Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, Robert Plant and Bon Scott, she is also an active member of the Shambhala Buddhist community and acts as the health and wellbeing coordinator at her meditation center.

Tara has two wishes for the rest of the year. The first is that hockey comes back. The second, you can probably guess.