We recently connected with Classique and have shared our conversation below.

Classique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Man if I could count all the “shoulda, woulda, couldas” I’ve asked myself over the years about starting my creative career sooner, I’D BE RICH!! But at the same time, I’ve learned one very crucial and important thing, everything happens for a reason in divine timing and not a moment sooner. Therefore, the path that I’ve taken to reach the space that I am in now is absolutely perfect and I am grateful fo all that I have learned along the way. All of the wishing and hoping to start sooner was part of the process that led me to this very moment. So essentially, I am glad that I began when I did.

Classique, 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 am a lover of all things creative. I became passionate about music at a very young age and from there I was sold on being a creative for the rest of my life. I am a self taught violinist and began playing a stringed instrument at the age of 7. From there I began experimenting with songs that I loved from t.v and radio which developed my ear and led me to learn improvisation.

As a child I always loved to write and actually believed that I would become a writer someday. When I was around 12 I wrote my first song. Although I could sing, I was too shy to share my singing with anyone so I became a ghost writer for my friend and would write the songs that she would perform. At that point I had performed in may talent shows and competitions as an instrumentalist which led to several other opportunities for me to perform as a soloist.

In 2017 I released my first EP “Self Expression Miss Understood” written, performed, and composed by me. It was such an achievement because I hadn’t shared my singing with the world not to mention, the world didn’t even know that I could sing or write songs. My vision had always been to share in a way that was not only powerful and inspirational to others but to myself. Such inspiration is the key that keeps me motivated and going. I debuted my EP via an event I curated and continue to curate annually called “Classified”. It’s a play on my name Classique but also an execution of the word “Classified” because this part of my artistry has been top secret for so long.

As I began to share more ideas began to form and “Classified” has now become not only an event where I share exclusive listens into my artistry but also a platform that serves as a safe space for eccentric creatives like myself to share their gifts. The environment also promotes, self care, healing and inclusion by way of some of the crowd engagement that we do.

Classique the brand is many things, it’s passion, it’s discipline, it’s art, it’s vision, it’s performance, it’s motivation, it’s entertainment. Classique is me, it’s who I am, a creative who enjoys doing things that inspires her and sharing that inspiration with others whether it be via my own platform or performing for others in various settings.

I want the world to know that it’s ok to BE YOU! There is such a power in being vulnerable and sharing because you don’t know who is watching or listening and needs the encouragement, Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and don’t let anyone box you in either. Be unreasonable and do the unthinkable! When the world hands you lemons make a 5 course dinner of your choice and serve it on a platter! Bon Appetit.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson that I had to unlearn was that “Sky is the limit” Whoever created that phrase was sharing from their own perspective and for a person like me, I actually believed that LITERALLY. When I was younger, I would sometimes find myself in spaces where I was experiencing self-doubt and with the thought “sky is the limit” not being attained at any given moment, most times it did more harm than good. It would make me feel as though I were defeated because I hadn’t successfully reached that limit in my aspirations yet, so what was the point in me even trying?

As an adult I began to think to myself “Who said?”. Then I asked myself the question out loud, “Who said that sky is the limit and why?”. From there I began to redefine that phrase and used it as inspiration for a new one that I would come up with, “Sky is not the limit but only a milestone to achieving greatness”. Think about it, there is really no limit to learning and growth. You literally learn something new EVERYDAY, whether it be a new word or seeing a new face of a person who has probably been on this planet longer than you. The point is learning is never ending and neither are our goals. This new idea is what keeps me motivated.

While I continue on this journey with a new mindset, I am inspired by the idea that there Is so much more for me to do and create. I’m learning to just be present in each moment creating new possibilities every day. There will come a time where I’ve passed on because that’s the inevitable, but I will be inspiring people from way up in the abyss while they listen to my music, past the sky that was once said to be the limit.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

What I find most rewarding being a creative is the fact that I get to be and do freely. There are no limits or restrictions. I get to use my imagination and create works of art in the process. This type of freedom has truly been nourishing to my soul. I’m able to create my own rules and follow them with the hopes of possibly inspiring someone else to do the same.

I enjoy testing the waters and experimenting with my artistry when it comes to playing violin and singing-songwriting. Everything you create won’t be for everybody, and that’s ok! But I am always excited if at least ONE person was moved, touched, and inspired by something that I created. It truly means so much to me because you never know if that one person will go on to be one of the most influential people in the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.classique516.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classique516/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Classique516/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLASSIQUE516
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bickgV8Zo7o

Image Credits
@frc.photos @dmcvlz @gardy.go @gt_chubs @domdoesthemost @noelle.png @cerdafye.sm