Thompson
I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and became a professional singer while studying business administration at Mount Royal University. While I always had a joy for singing and songwriting, I wasn’t too sure if I was any good until I met my vocal instructor Toshi Jackson. Shortly after giving me vocal lessons, she asked me to form a group with her and another student, Melissa Jarvis. The group named after her was called Toshi Jackson and the Silhouettes, and the three of us spent the next five years singing and dancing to Motown music all over Western Canada.
The idea of 3 black Canadian women emulating the hit music of black American pop music culture was thought-provoking to audiences and seemed we brought an experience to them that they couldn’t receive anywhere else in the country. It was through this experience that I also learned the importance of backup singers, harmony and live music vs karaoke music.
Before moving to Thompson, MB, in 2014, I performed all over Alberta and Saskatchewan, having toured with groups Gary Martin and the Heavenly Blues Brothers and Donald Ray Johnson and the Raylettees. I have worked and mentored with many Motown-era musicians, including Martha Reeves (From Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Gloria Jones (Penned Tainted Love), and Musicians from the Funk Brothers like Joe Hunter and Uriel Jones. I have also had the pleasure of opening for Hip Hop artists such as T-pain and Naughty by Nature, as well as performing alongside many local artists in Calgary.
I am also a lyricist, having penned my first complete song at 11 years old and can read and write basic charts and chords for piano. I have many years of experience writing songs and working with Digital Audio Workstations and have recorded music with other producers in different parts of the world (Virginia, St. Louis, New York) since the late 90's. I also recorded several unreleased demos in brick-and-mortar studios around Calgary.