We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Perkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.

Alright, Katie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was told I was singing and humming before I could even talk. From a very young age, music captivated me, and I absolutely loved to sing. In sixth grade, I entered my first talent show and performed the Mariah Carey version of I’ll Be There. I was incredibly nervous, but once I stepped on that stage, I gave it everything I had. The adrenaline rush afterward was unforgettable, and the very first thing I said to my mom was, “I want to do this for the rest of my life.” From that moment on, my live revolved around music. I began taking voice and piano lessons and looked for every opportunity to perform. At just eleven years old, I didn’t have a band or access to many venues, but that didn’t stop me. One of my favorite memories is of my mom and me loading up my karaoke machine and small sound system so I could sing at a nearby train station.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my musical journey at the age of eleven. From there, I started taking voice and piano lessons, studying music theory, joining every auditioned state choir I could while in school, and later taking AP Music Theory in high school. My passion for music eventually led me to Berklee College of Music, where I studied Vocal Performance. But in the midst of pursuing my dream, I experienced one of the most life-changing moments a teenager could face.

At fifteen, I was unexpectedly rushed to the hospital after I couldn’t stop hyperventilating. By the time the ambulance arrived, my extremities were paralyzed from lack of oxygen. I remember lying on the gurney, terrified, as a single tear rolled down my cheek. The ER was packed that night, as it was the night before Easter, and by the time the doctor finally saw me, I was having another attack.

An EKG revealed a prolonged QT interval, meaning my heart was taking too long to restart between beats. An ultrasound followed, showing a hole in the center of all four chambers of my heart. The blood was flowing in and out the same way, and the left side of my heart had become enlarged.

A few weeks later, just after turning sixteen, I met with a surgeon who told me I needed open-heart surgery. He explained that without it, I’d have about thirteen years left to live, and would likely die from a heart attack or stroke. Without hesitation, I looked him in the eye and said, “If you can’t promise me that I’ll be able to sing after surgery, then I’d rather die in thirteen years than never sing again.”

The room fell silent. My surgeon and my mom were speechless. You see, if the breathing tube touched my vocal cords the wrong way, I could lose my singing voice forever. At the time, I was also preparing for my driver’s test and rehearsing for a summer musical, two milestones I wasn’t ready to give up. After much discussion (and convincing on his part), my surgeon agreed to let me wait five months for surgery so I could perform in the musical, and get my license. He also promised to use a child-sized breathing tube and remove it in recovery, something that was practically unheard of, to protect my voice. Every follow up visit after that, my chart was marked all over the place that I was a vocalist.

It was truly a miracle that the heart defect was discovered, and I thank God every day for playing such a huge role in both saving my life and preserving my ability to sing.

Now, nineteen years later, I’m still singing, writing, and performing live. I don’t take a single note for granted, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, the best way society can support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem is by truly valuing creativity as essential—not optional. Artists help people connect, heal, and feel seen, and that impact deserves both recognition and tangible support.

That means creating more opportunities for live performance, funding music and arts education early on, and building community spaces where artists can collaborate rather than compete. I also think emotional and mental health support for creatives is vital. So many artists, including myself, pour everything into our work, and having resources that nurture our well-being can make all the difference in allowing creativity to flourish long-term.

It’s especially important to remember all those incredibly talented individuals who may never reach a TV screen or a major award stage. There is so much value and talent in everyday life that often goes unnoticed simply because those artists haven’t been “discovered.” The artist you hear on the radio every day started somewhere too, often singing in small bars, breweries, or community events where no one cared to listen. That’s why I believe we need to be far more supportive of live music and local musicians as well. These are people who are creating from the heart, sharing their stories, and pouring everything they have into connecting with their audience.

When we show up for them, we’re not just supporting one performance, we’re helping to sustain a culture where creativity, passion, and authenticity can continue to thrive.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the connection. There’s something so powerful about being on stage and seeing people light up, sing along, or even get emotional because a song spoke to them in a way words alone couldn’t. Music has this incredible ability to break down walls and bring people together, and to be even a small part of that is such a gift.

Before every show, I take a quiet moment to pray and thank God for the gift He’s given me. I always pray that I’m able to touch at least one person in the audience, whether it’s bringing them happiness, healing, comfort, or whatever it is they may need that night. Knowing that something I created from a personal place can reach someone else like that… that’s the most rewarding feeling in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katieperkinsmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieperkins
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katieperkinsmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/katieperkinsofficial