I was born and raised on a third generation dairy farm in small town Pitt Meadows, Canada. I am sixteen years old and I have listened to country music my whole life. I remember singing and dancing around to Shania Twain and Brooks and Dunn in my living room with my brother and sisters. I grew up running around barefoot, feeding calves and swimming in the creek. I cherished sitting on my daddy’s lap behind the wheel of a big green tractor. On Sunday mornings I would sing in the children’s choir at church. Any summer day you can find me cutting hay while singing and tanning on a John Deere tractor.
In grade three my Mom registered me in Musical Theatre classes. It is a high energy, triple threat sport. You must partake in singing, acting and dancing. After five years of musicals I landed my favorite role as the dark manipulative Sea Witch, Ursula in The Little Mermaid. The vocals really pushed my range and made me explore myself to attain that chilling theatrical character. For six hours a week I dedicated my time in the studio running lines and dance numbers. Two months before the show, I began working twelve hours a week polishing scenes. Theatre productions certainly do not happen over night. It takes a massive amount of dedication and an invigorating amount of energy. The theatre is where I developed my raging passion for music.
My love for country music is immense. When I was thirteen years old I found my dad’s guitar, and decided to teach myself how to play. All summer long I played until I could not feel my fingers. I had heard of singers like Taylor Swift writing their own music and I thought, “Why can’t I do that too? I have stories of my own that I want to share.” So I began writing.
I preformed at local coffee shops Canada day and other community events. I am so blessed to have has those amazing experiences. I love performing live because then I can show my expressions and get the exact story across to the audience. If, in one hour I can make someone smile through music, it will be enough for me.
Two years passed and there was so much more that I wanted to learn about music and playing guitar. I went to a brilliant man named Chris Rolin who is very involved in the country music business. He greatly expanded my knowledge by teaching me bar chords and theory. One day I played an original song for him and he offered to help me record it. This was an opportunity that did not let slip through my fingers. Four months later I had completed my first country music demo “Changed Your Mind.” That experience for me was so amazing. I learned so much and absorbed information like a sponge. From that moment on I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Make music.
Just three months ago I began recording two more original demo’s. I used to not know what style or sound I wanted to create through my music. This time around I knew exactly what I wanted. From the drums to the fiddle, to the mandolin and the back up vocals I made it my own. Since I recorded my demos independently I got to basically be my own producer and choose precisely what I wanted. I have now officially completed a three-track demo CD.
I have participated in high school choir for the last four years. Choir is a team effort that it is almost more challenging compared to playing by myself. Harmonies are also amplified for me now. If anyone in the choir is ever challenged with harmonies I am always happy to help. I like assisting so much that in my senior year I volunteered in the grade 8 guitar class to share my growing knowledge. I get such pleasure when that light goes on in a students head and they understand what I have taught them. Sharing my passion for music is a wonderful experience.
My dream is to get a record deal and share my music with the world. My parents have taught me, since I was a little girl that nothing in life comes easy. You have to persevere and work hard for what you want. William Jennings Bryan once said, “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.” So that’s exactly what I will do.
