We were lucky to catch up with Calandra Gantt recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Calandra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project worked on was my live project I just completed last year in honor of my late mother, Cynthia Dorsey. This project was my industry lesson, which I almost did not complete. I started it over 6 years ago and had to go back to the drawing board more than once due to poor productions and picking the right songs. When my mom died, I became discouraged even more and almost gave up but I felt her presence pushing me to complete what was started, She always raised me to have a strong work ethic and quitting has never been an option for me. I completed the project entitled, “The Praise, Worship and Soul Experience Live” and had 2 songs to chart from that project. There is more to come with this project to share with the world.
Calandra , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I began singing at the age of 3 years old, begin playing instruments at the age of 5 and directing choirs at the age of 9. I studied along some of the greats in the music industry in the traditional and contemporary genres, Growing up, I would be the only child sitting in the midst of quarter groups and choirs, learning the art of harmonizing. I studied Music Education for a year at Morris Brown College and Milner School of Music. I began singing and travelling professionally as a recording artist over 30 years ago, Perfecting my craft, has allowed me to receive awards and recognitions in the industry, I serve as a praise and worship leader, author, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, minister, ceo, producer and arranger.
Over the last 4 years, God has blessed me to become a partner with a fellow artist and form a music consultant company, BlueMile Music Consultants, LLC. This company is geared to assist our peers in the entertainment industry in learning the business as well as growing in their individual fields. We serve as songwriters, producers, studio session strategists, event management assistance and award assessments. BlueMile Music has written a jingle for a real estate company and a women’s anthem for a talk show.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think non-creatives would struggle with the faith walk and uncertainty that comes with being a creative,.There are times when opportunities don’t pay well but you know that their is a bigger picture, You truly have to trust that this is the path for you. You have to trust God and truly be strategic and intentional in everything you do.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is hearing when someone was blessed or encouraged by my music or by what they read in something that I wrote and shared. Music is universal and has the ability to truly touch the world and that is my goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.calandragantt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calandraganttpop3/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalandraGanttPrincessofPraise/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/calandra_pop3?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFnwJu85sbLuR4md6FKgiPQ
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hITeSYQpnKoi3pQxbaegI?si=gGTEx3gWQn63__zWU55JDQ
Image Credits
Photography by Marie Thomas (Celebrity Photographer) Album Covers designed by Angela Washington (AWB Graphics)