Tay was wise beyond her years: Friends

TORONTO — To those who knew her, she was simply Tay, an energetic teenager who delighted in rodeos, camping and the simple pleasures of people-watching in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto where she lived.

But friends also remember Taylor Mitchell as a gifted storyteller and musician whose age belied her talent and wisdom.

"She was happy in her last days, which is comforting," said fellow folksinger Jadea Kelly. "She was doing what she loved."

Kelly said she recently checked up on her friend, who was on a tour of the East Coast. "I contacted her because I knew she was by herself and I wanted to make sure she was safe. She wrote back to say she was having an amazing time and that the shows were going well and she was meeting lots of great people."

However, on a break between gigs Tuesday afternoon, Mitchell hiked alone along the popular Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, when she was attacked by two coyotes. A hiker heard her screams and called 911. RCMP officers arrived and shot one of the coyotes.

Mitchell was airlifted to hospital, but died early Wednesday morning.

Kelly met Mitchell last year at a music conference in Ottawa. They became friends who discussed doing some shows together in Yukon next spring.

"She had this air about her that you really saw when she performed. She seemed happiest when she was on stage," said Kelly. "She was a funny, sweet girl . . . and she was quite the lyricist."

Close friend and collaborator Michael Johnston described Mitchell as "a brilliant, bold and beautiful light that people were naturally drawn to." Mitchell was 15 when she came to him for vocal lessons and, within a year, they were writing music together. Last year, Johnston produced her debut album, For Your Consideration.

"She was so young and talented," he recalled. "Her big dreams were a perfect match with her big, kind heart."

It's a sentiment echoed by her manager, Lisa Weitz. "Taylor was just the most generous and open-hearted person, a big soul," she said. "You felt that generosity of spirit and a big heart."

Weitz said no one who knew Mitchell can believe she's gone. "We're still shaking our heads. It doesn't seem real.

"Taylor was a seeker and a sojourner, a teller of tales. She had such a gift for storytelling and songwriting. She could capture images, places and people so masterfully. She was seasoned beyond her years."

According to Weitz, Mitchell was writing songs for a new album and was planning to do some shows south of the border. "She was busy and excited and filled with hope and promise."

Indeed, a nomination for Young Performer of the Year at next month's Canadian Folk Music Awards was likely only the first honour Mitchell would have received. Johnston said Mitchell easily earned the respect of her peers — including those who were far more seasoned.

"She was always positive to be around, and people jumped at the chance to work with her. They saw in her the rarest of the gifts: an ability to sing, not only from the heart, but in a way that transcended her age and experience and became something universal."

Johnston, who is organizing a celebration of Mitchell's life, said the young singer was like an old pro in the recording studio. "She held her own, kept her cool, and soared to a place we all stood in awe of."

Toronto musician John Dinsmore, who played bass guitar on Mitchell's album, agreed. He remembers a personable and enthusiastic young woman who was "obviously pretty talented."

"In the studio, she didn't require too much assistance from us. She knew what she was doing," said Dinsmore. "Anyone who met her would know she had a long career ahead of her."

In a statement, the staff of Toronto music venue Hugh's Room said they were stunned by news of Mitchell's death. "She came to us a fresh voice, an amazing talent. . . . We were impressed, not only by her music and her performance, but also by the support, encouragement, and praise from so many in the music industry. At such a young age, she was already turning heads."

Reached at his home near Georgian Bay, Ont., Mitchell's father Ray Luciow said only: "I don't want to say anything right now." Her mother, who lives in Nova Scotia, could not be contacted.

Others are struggling to cope with the shocking death. "It's been tough to talk without crying," said folksinger Ania Ziemirska, who called Mitchell "my pretend little sister."

"She was an amazing, honest, loving person who always brought sunshine with her," recalled Ziemirska, who opened for Mitchell at her CD release party last March. "Her music, like her personality, shows wisdom much beyond her years."

Mitchell lent her vocals to Ziemirska's album and the two had just started writing a song together. "I intend to finish it in her memory," she said. "I know she will be watching over me."