We were lucky to catch up with Evadne Bryan Perkins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Evadne, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I come from a large family and we all loved music. My father was an officer in the Army and would host parties for the other officers. My brothers & Sisters and I would learn songs together with choreography and perform for the guests. My sisters and I used to practice learning harmony by listening and singing along with Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street” album. I got my first steady singing gig when I was 14. I sang on Sundays in a small coffee shop in our town. I started writing down my thoughts which turned into songwriting. Just writing about the life of an overly emotional 14 year old, where everything seemed to be bigger than life and heartbreak was the end of the world.
I started acting when I was 8 years old in our schools production of “A Christmas Carol”. I played Tiny Tim’s sister Martha, but music had already become my focus, so at that time, acting kind of took a back seat.
My family faced straitened circumstances, so singing lessons were never in the cards. Maybe singing lessons would have helped, but I think only in taking care of my voice and using it more effectively. The Army also moved my family every two years or so, which would have made it difficult to maintain consistency.
I was in Glee club, Chorus & Choir during my High School years, but never learned to read music. It might have helped to speed up my learning process, but relying on my ear, I found to be invaluable. I think sight reading can sometimes be a hindrance to freeing yourself from the constraints of what is written.

Evadne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been an Actor/Musician for over 20 years, I started out as part of a duo with a piano player then moved onto being a member of an 8 piece band, then back to a duo. Interspersed between music engagements I worked in theater, film & commercials. I have been an activist my whole life, like my parents before me. I work with various Indigenous and African American organizations on Equity & Justice issues. I am most proud of my vast body of creative and Justice work and that no matter what obstacles (lack of diversity, pandemic , funding & dwindling opportunities for older actors) I have pushed forward and remained positive, hopeful and determined.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

A capitalistic society is in direct opposition to a creative ecosystem. It devalues creativity, especially the arts as frivolous and best suited as a “spare time” activity. That’s why the Arts are always the first subjects cut. The Arts heal, soothe, expand the world around you and give you hope. A thriving creative ecosystem needs support and recognize the importance of Art in the world. Provide the tools to anyone of any age whether it be in the form of classes, instruments, lessons, transportation or scholarships all free of charge. A society that supports the arts, fully, is a society that fosters compassion & understanding.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was equating fame with success when it comes to the Arts. In this society you are taught to believe that your art is not “legitimate” or relevant unless you are famous. Even though I have been working steadily and being paid as an Actor & as a musician, I never thought of myself as a “professional” In my 30’s i decided to go to school to hone my acting skills and one of my teachers touched on the subject of fame & success. He said “If you are doing the work and getting jobs as an actor, you should call yourself an actor. Fame & success are two separate endeavors.” After that, something just clicked & I changed my thinking. When I’m asked what I do, I say I am an Actor/Musician.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reeleiayay/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evadne.bryanperkins
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelEiayay

Image Credits

Kate Kaminski