Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Breid
Hi Paula , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I learned how to sing as a young child from my mom and dad, mostly on car trips we’d take as a family. We’d hear them sing harmony and we would imitate them until we could hold our own. I’m pretty sure singing was a way to help Dad stay awake while driving. During my growing up years there was church choir and summer camps where music was part of the experience. In highschool I couldn’t join the choir because it conflicted with taking a foreign language class. After highschool I jumped right into nursing school and there was no time for choir. All during these years there was still singing at home with siblings and parents. Nursing, courtship, marriage, and 3 children happened before I got the chance to join the choir at our church. This was difficult to do while having young kids, but that’s where my singing officially started. Fast forward 25 years and I made the decision to get help from a voice teacher. Can you imagine deciding at age 56 to finally do something you had dreamed of for years? Since then I have never looked back, singing with many different groups and choirs. I currently sing with Rochester Symphony Chorale, Hometown Opera Company in Rochester MN, Resounding Voices in Rochester MN with my mother. This is a choir that supports people with dementia, as my mom does. One of my sisters, Elizabeth Heins, and I used to lead songs with the residents that live in the memory care center where our mom lives but COVID ended that. I also sing in different churches around the area and will often be the song leader and sololist for funeral services. This has become very blessed time for me, being able to provide comfort for grieving families. I often sing the National Anthem before local sporting events; my favorite is at the start of matches for the Rochester Football Club. Since I retired from my nursing career at Mayo Clinic in Rochester I have been able to devote my time to what I love: my family, 3 grandkids, flower gardening, and singing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a long road between first learning the love of singing and being able to devote time to doing what I love. Imagine waiting until you’re middle aged to do the thing you really love!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My life’s work has been starting a nursing career, being an Operating Room nurse, leaving that to raise my family, then going back into into the OR after being away for 22 years. I consider singing for funerals a ministry for me, a way of giving back and providing comfort as families say good bye to their loved ones.
I have learned ways to improve my singing voice by taking lessons for 10 years, thanks to the fabulous Pat Anderson! Becoming a grandma to 3 beautiful people is the crowning event of my life.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Rochester MN is my hometown and I have been so comfortable just staying here all my life. People are friendly, looking for ways to help others, and help the community thrive. I am starting to dislike the very cold days of winter that we get here.
Pricing:
- I do earn a fee for singing at certain events; it runs on the range between $175-200, depending on the amount of time I need to devote to the event.
Contact Info:
- Other: my email for contact regarding singing at your event is pbreidnumerouno@gmail.com
