Tell us a little bit about your music career.

 

 

 

 

I would say my career is… multi-faceted! I work as a pianist, tenor, vocal coach, music director and arts administrator. All of it contributes to my overall life as an artist and performer. I’ve been able to perform all kinds of music, in all sorts of amazing venues throughout Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, meeting the most wonderful colleagues and friends along the way.

I’ve been playing piano since I can remember, but singing came a little later in life. I studied music at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, where I was able to explore my musical interests and find what it is I truly wanted not just from music, but in life. Going to school for music was not so much a choice, but more an organic part of my journey. Once there, I began to develop my true passion for singing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

 

 

 

 

So many people and experiences have inspired me, that I feel indebted to them all! I should start with the fact that I’m from a small french village in Nova Scotia. Our rich Acadian history, deeply rooted in music and live performance, has no doubt made a huge impact on my life. I grew up playing in church and did so for almost ten years, and those years were foundational in my training as a musician, even if I didn’t know it at the time.

I also remember accompanying voice students in their lessons while at university and thinking: “I want to do that!” At the time, I was contracted as a student collaborative pianist, which meant I played for vocalists and instrumentalists in their lessons, coachings, auditions, recordings, and for their performances and recitals. I really got to experience what a career in music could entail. I also couldn’t believe that I was getting paid to do what I loved!

After moving to Toronto in hopes of continuing my education in piano, I started working as a freelance musician; singing in choirs, accompanying auditions, teaching voice and piano – really doing the “thing”. One thing led to another, and after leaving my cafe job after my first year in the city, I decided it was time to make my dream a reality. The rest is history!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do you think it’s important for actors to also include vocal training?

 

 

 

 

Vocal training is beneficial for anyone that uses their voice, actors included. There is so much to learn about yourself when exploring your own voice. And it isn’t just for singing; it’s also great to enhance and strengthen your speaking voice, as you work on breathing, using your air efficiently, and learning to speak with a supported voice. Adding vocal training to your practice can really bring you to the next level, not to mention the extra boost of confidence when performing on stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What singing advice do you have for aspiring actors?

 

 

 

 

I would have to say: Feel your voice, don’t listen to it. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others in this world, especially with easy access to amazing recordings and videos nowadays. I work primarily with musical theatre performers, and the amount of times I hear “…but they belt it”, or “I can’t do it like that”, is unreal. Wanting to do justice to the song/style is one thing, but I never want my students to feel like they haven’t done something well unless they “sound like XYZ in the recording”. I’d rather they focus on adopting healthy singing habits that feel good, while exploring all the amazing abilities and colours of their own voice. Once your singing feels good, then you will always like the result!