The Ryan Sisters have been impressing people with their heartfelt performances for many years. The younger of the two, Lauretta, contracted Guillain Barré Syndrome when she was 20 years old. It’s a debilitating disorder that strikes the nervous system. In addition to paralyzing her entire body her weight spiraled down to 75 pounds. She couldn’t smile or swallow and family and friends were shocked to see the vibrant singer on a hospital bed hooked to several machines including a feeding tube. Doctors planned on putting Lauretta on a ventilator because she was having difficulty breathing on her own. That would mean having to undergo a surgical procedure known as a tracheotomy. An incision is made in the neck and a tube is inserted to create a new airway allowing her to breath. A negative side effect of a tracheotomy is severe damage to the throat and vocal chords and she would no longer be able to sing.

Lauretta was terrified of losing her singing voice and refused the procedure. She prayed that she would be 100% healed and never took off her rosary around her neck while she was in the hospital. Doctors agreed to have a respiratory team check on her frequently rather ventilating her. She made a miraculous recovery and was the fastest recovering Guillain Barré patient at the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre with the severity of her illness. A doctor told her he felt singing helped save her life. Her diaphragm was very strong and was the only muscle besides her heart that didn’t become paralyzed.

With nothing working in her body except her mind, Lauretta contributes her fast recovery to her faith, prayer, positivity, family support, visualizing being completely healed and seeing herself walking across the stage with a microphone in her hand. She also sang to her favorite music for many hours a day which helped to inspire her while keeping her positive during her recovery in the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre. At this point the sisters decided to team up and pursue their dream with their music, as they realized that life is too short to let your dreams pass you by.

The Ryan Sisters were originally a country duo, and were the opening act for Virgin Recording Artists, LEAHY, during their cross country tour promoting their # 1 album. They also sang in multiple East Coast Music Awards 75 Hour Non-Stop Jams captivating the audience with their powerful voices and contagious positive energy. Over the years while performing in Country Music, they were promoted in Country Music News magazine as one of Canada’s hot new acts to watch for. They were also featured on the front page of the Life & Times section of the Moncton Times-Transcript newspaper and the front page of Riverview’s County Chronicle.

This dynamic duo was chosen to showcase their talent during Canadian Country Music Week and were also chosen to showcase at the East Coast Music Awards 10th Anniversary in Halifax, NS. Anthony Ring, editor of Atlantic Gig, wrote that they were one of the highlights to catch at the ECMA's. They were thrilled to entertain to a full house and be the opening act for BMG Recording Artist and the ECMA Country Artist of the Year, JULIAN AUSTIN.

The sisters have opened up for America's #1 Success Coach and best-selling author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series, Jack Canfield, at the Success Symposium in Moncton, NB. They inspired the crowd before Jack took the stage, and he was very impressed with their performance. The sisters felt honoured that he told the audience that they were Chicken Soup for his soul! They also sang at the VIP reception for Dr. Wayne Dyer at his "I Can See Clearly Now" event in Halifax and were the opening act for Oprah’s expert Michael Losier as well. The Ryan Sisters love to give back in their community and they have performed for charities such as “Night of the Arts” fundraiser for the Canadian Transplant Society in Dieppe, NB and for the Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia fundraiser “Pink Spring”. The sisters love inspiring audiences every chance they get with their music!

Maria and Lauretta completed their full length CD entitled “I Can Breathe” which takes the listeners on an inspiring journey of songs written by the sisters on the power of love, forgiveness and living your best life. As an added bonus, their title track to the album, I Can Breathe, was co-written by Country superstar Johnny Reid and they sing emotional renditions of “Hallelujah”, “The Climb” and “Love Can Build A Bridge”. Their heartfelt music and powerful voices will touch the hearts and souls of all who listen.

They were honoured to be nominated for a 2017 East Coast Music Award for Gospel Recording of the Year which was held in Saint John, New Brunswick and they also showcased in the Gospel category as well.

The Ryan Sisters had on their bucket list to record a Christmas album and soon after “I Can Breathe” they recorded a Christmas album titled ‘My Favourite Things’ and is a compilation of all their favourite Christmas songs over the years with an original penned by the sisters, called ‘Believe’ an inspiring song about the Birth of Jesus Christ. The Ryan Sisters recorded Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ on their I Can Breathe album and were inspired to rewrite the lyrics for a Christmas version which in on their album “My Favourite Things”.

Do you Believe in Love

Do you Believe in Light

Do you Believe in the birth of Jesus Christ

Do you Believe that He

Was Born to Save You and Me

And that His Love will last for Eternity

Do You Believe?

Photographer: Darryl LeBlanc

To purchase our songs or album, please click on the iTunes link below. Streaming everywhere, iTunes, Spotify.