Father's Daughter

 

Father's Daughter is the new sound of Southern Gospel Music in Canada.  Back in 2002, Sonja, Emily and Rachel Fast and their dad, Ed, recorded a family project, a CD of some of their favorite songs. Since then, as more and more gospel music lovers have heard and enjoyed their tight family harmonies, they've performed at numerous events in their community as well as in churches and at gospel music celebrations throughout Western Canada.

Highlights include performing with the Young Street Vocal Band, Legacy Five, Triumphant Quartet and Liberty Quartet, making regular appearances at the Canadian Gospel Music Celebration in Red Deer, Alberta, singing at the National Quartet Convention in Kentucky, and participating in Calvin Dyck's Songs Strings & Steps in Abbotsford, B.C.

This trio of sisters started singing at a very young age. Rooted in the rich musical legacy of their German Mennonite heritage, their childhood years were spent performing and touring in Canada and around the world with the Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir.

 

The girls also participated in musical theatre productions and high school jazz and choral ensembles. Yet the music most dear to their hearts is Southern Gospel, which the Fast sisters have sung with Dad "round the piano" since they could carry a tune. Some of their inspiration over the years has come from groups such the Martins, the Isaacs, Lordsong, Avalon, Booth Brothers, and, of course, the Gaither Vocal Band.

Father's Daughter's desire is to encourage and bless people with uplifting Christian music and with the gift of song.  More importantly, wherever they perform, Father's Daughter wants to reach people with the message of hope found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Father's Daughter makes its home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.

 

Father's Daughter - up close and personal

 
Sonja is the second oldest of Annette and Ed Fast's four daughters. She is a graduate of Biola University in Southern California with a Bachelors Degree in Music (Violin Performance) as well as a minor in Biblical Studies.  When she isn't singing the soprano part with her sisters, Sonja teaches violin and piano in Abbotsford, works as a freelance violinist and is the artistic director of the Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir.  In her spare time, she enjoys skiing and hiking the beautiful mountains of BC.  Sonja recently married Jared Hindmarsh, and they make their home in Abbotsford.
 

 
Emily, the alto in Father's Daughter, is the second youngest sister and is currently completing her studies in Elementary Education at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.  Emily has a heart for children, and over the years she has found great joy in tutoring and mentoring younger students.   In Emily's spare time, you'll see her on coffee dates with girlfriends, studying her textbooks, hiking with her father and sisters, or planning yet another social event for friends.

Rachel

Rachel sings lead and is the youngest of the Fast girls. She loves the performing arts and has spent many happy years in choirs, musical theatre, opera, and dance. After graduating from high school, Rachel attended His Hill Bible School in Texas and looks forward to serving God with her gift of song and her love of people. She is currently embarking upon a new business venture which will provide homemaking and child care services to other families.  In her free moments, Rachel can be found either with friends or in Mom's kitchen whipping up a delicious cake or her signature cupcakes.

Ed

 
Raised in a family of eight  children that all played two or more instruments, Ed grew up playing piano, violin and guitar, yet also managed to steal away from his mother's watchful eye to excel in soccer, hockey and fastpitch softball. As a gifted pianist and arranger, he has spent much of his spare time over the years with various musical groups, beginning in 1979 with the Angell Family, later with the Assurance Quartet, and then nine years with the Young Street Vocal Band. In 2006, Ed's career as a local lawyer and city councilor shifted gears when he became the Member of Parliament for Abbotsford. Despite his hectic schedule, he still loves to play gospel music with his daughters.  When not performing, Ed and his daughters can be found hiking the West Coast Trail, canoeing the Bowron Lakes, traversing the Rockwall in the Rocky Mountains, climbing the Chilkoot Trail and traversing the Grand Canyon.  Ed has also found time to summit mountains such as Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier.