We recently connected with Janine Le Clair and have shared our conversation below.

Janine , appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The show was called ‘Exit Left’. It was a city wide talent show, considered for only the elite from each neighbourhood or school district. I was around 12 or 13 years old, in Grade 6 or 7, if memory serves me correctly. After my audition, where I sang ‘Old Time Rock n Roll’, I was ecstatic to be one of the ones chosen for the ‘big event’ performance weekend. The stage was huge, the lights were crazy bright, the music track was blaring. I felt really good in my blue jeans, collared shirt and decorative cowboy boots. As I hit the stage the culmination of anxiety and excitement was indescribable. As I began to sing and I heard the crowd erupt in clapping and hoots and hollering, I knew I had found my home. Though I was unable to see their faces through the blinding lights, I knew those in the audience had smiles on their faces. I knew they were having a good time. I knew I was doing a good job and was responsible for them getting on their feet and dancing. And I knew in that moment, that I was wanted to bring that type of joy to as many people as I could for the rest of my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I started my journey into music via the drama club in my grade school. In year 2, I was a part of many drama skits and several of them I decided to put to an acapella tune. So I kinda launched myself into musical theatre, without even knowing what that was. Before any formal training in singing or any instrument, or acting for that matter, the drama teacher pulled my parents aside and said ‘Do NOT take her out of this”. I was already hooked on performing, so I wasn’t going anywhere. My next introduction was by way of my first instrument, the flute. Never have I had a love so strong. I fell completely in love with playing the flute, practicing on average 2-3 hours each night, for over 5 years. BUT, I was also starting to sing around my house, A LOT. I got obsessed with artists such as Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, The Monkees, Boston, Whitney Houston, Madonna etc. And somehow I became the standard soloist at our church and school events. As I entreated highschool, I continued the flute and became section leader in the junior band, BUT I was also becoming an in demand soloist in our high school choir. Sometimes I couldn’t partake in both band and choir events, and flute began to take a tiny back seat. I was averaging several performances per month through my school’s local performances and getting very used to being on stage. Only entering in my second year of high school I was cast as ‘Maria’ in The Sound of Music, ahead of all the graduating seniors (very competent singers I might add). Shell shocked, it was suggested that I take some voice lessons because our schedule was going to be rigorous. And THIS was the start of my professional training. Five years of intense study led me to audition for the ONLY accredited B.F.A. Musical Theatre program in the entire country of Canada (where I was born). I was determined to get in. I took private acting lessons from my high school drama teacher and did everything I could to prepare. As a back up, I also auditioned for the B.F.A. Acting and B.F.A. Vocal Music Degrees as well. Apparently I was the only person in the history at that time to ever be accepted into all three programs, with my choice. I choice my top pic, Musical Theatre. The training I received was top notch and instilled an incredible foundation.
But my love of travel and specifically of Australia, led me to change location. Suddenly I was living abroad in Australia and connected with professional musicians who offered me paid gigs as the lead singer of an established band. I spent the next several years performing every venue imaginable in bands, duos, tribute shows, solo gigs, you name it. I also opened a private voice teaching studio which was a longtime success. I was beginning to write and record my own music too. But I wasn’t sure what style it was. Upon taking a trip to Nashville, I discovered my love for country and rockabilly. I sent the next several years going back and forth between Nashville and Australia, recording and releasing my new songs. I toured extensively around Australia and worked for many years in the country music scene. I was privileged to perform on some of the nation’s biggest stages, prestigious competitions and open for their biggest artist. During this time I connected with people and opportunities in Nashville, TN. So I returned to Music City on a semi permanent basis. My personal style is ‘soul country’. My influences are 50’s and 80’s pop, country and Motown.

As I connected with a publisher and small label, I was encouraged to continue vocal coach in Nashville. So I launched ‘Music Row Voice’, my vocal coaching company of nearly 15 years.

I continued my education on vocal training and business management through the years, allowing me grow and develop. And I’m very fortunate I have a great reputation as an Artist and vocal coach.

As a vocal coach I am very unique is HOW I teach. I am a strong empath, so I’m able to connect to the artist with whom I’m working, on a very intuitive level. I use all my years of education, training, performance expertise and life experience to guide my clients. This skill set sets me apart from other coaches and their techniques. I am very proud to be amongst Nashville’s top 12 vocal coaches (as voted by Expertise.com) for five years in a row. My vocal coaching business to date, has been built entirely by reputation and word of mouth.

As an artist, I bring a lot of authenticity to my show. I’m a bit of clean and smooth and then boom, my next song will take a turn in a direction the audience was NOT expecting. I like shock value. I LOVE humour. I don’t mind being crude and singing about taboo subjects. But I also love a good love song. And I adore covering some of my fav hit songs too!

When I’m on stage, my job is to bring that joy to the audience, just like I did on my very first performance!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist, and a creative for a living, is the freedom. I love the choices I have in who I associate with, whether that be as a client, as a co writer, as a touring partner, or a producer etc. I love that the hours are not locked in and you create your own structure. And I adore watching a. fellow singer experience a break through on their vocal journey because of something I showed them. I adore that, as I adore watching a fan tear up as I’m singing a song on stage, or break into laughter because of the way I delivered the comical song. I love that I have moments forever I’ll treasure. Moments such as seeing myself as an actress on the big movie screen, winning Best Female Vocalist of the year at the WA GWN Country Music Awards, becoming an Australian citizen and honouring both Australia and America with the singing of the national anthems at state events, being a part of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words and Music Program, becoming a Recording Academy Member, and precious moments like singing at my brother’s wedding.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Non fungible tokens. Hmmm….I still don’t quite understand them!! LOL..but…I THINK I’ll eventually end up giving them 2 thumbs up :)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.janineleclair.com www.MusicRowVoice.com
• Instagram: @janineleclair @MusicRowVoice
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/JanineLeClairEntertainment www.Facebook.com/MusicRowVoice
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janineleclair/
• Twitter: @JanineLeClair33 @MusicRowVoice
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/JanineLeClair www.youtube.com/MusicRowVoice