We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lea Grace. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lea Grace below.
Lea Grace, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I’ve always been a “by the book” type of person. Once I was at an age to understand rules and consequences I realized that if I wanted to do things my way, or have the freedom to make a change, I had find out the formula to success and stay on that path. Even if that meant doing the things I have to until I can do the things I want to. So I made sure to stay the course, get great grades, go to a great school, be involved in the community, give back to the community etc.
When I knew I wanted to pursue music as a career, I knew I had to go to the best music institution so my family could see the validity in my career. Little did I know I would be exposed to so much and that there was still a lot I had to learn about the roles of this career path. Not only where I wanted to end up but where I could end up. What I did know was that I wanted and needed to move out of Boston in order for me to really be able to spread my wings, mess up a bit and figure out how to pick myself up, to ultimately learn on my own and find my voice. Somewhere no one knows me and I don’t have all of my childhood watching my every move.
So after I graduated with my Bachelors in Music from the prestigious Berklee College of Music during a worldwide pandemic, I moved to Atlanta, GA. I picked up my entire life, packed up my childhood (literally) and started on this journey to pursue music full time. For me this was the biggest risk because I’ve never been away from my support system prior, but I knew I needed that fresh start to push me to work even harder. Since moving I’ve had the pleasure of performing at many major festivals, television programs, and just being in rooms that I’ve prayed to be in. I’m the most hungry and eager for this career than ever before. So I say this risk was worth it- because I bet on myself!
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.
Hailing from Dorchester, Boston, I started my musical journey at the tender age of 4 when I landed my first professional gig in Langston Hughes’, Black Nativity. I’ve also sung the National Anthem for both the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox several times during my grade school years. In 8th grade and continuing through high school, I was accepted into the Berklee City Music Boston program, a very competitive music and performing arts scholarship organization where I received professional training and education by critically acclaimed Berklee College of Music professors. Upon high school graduation, I was one of the few awarded a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
In college, I was exposed to many other talented students who were performing professionally at high levels throughout the school and creating their own original works. This inspired me to believe in myself and my own capabilities, leading me to start connecting and creating with others by curating my own shows. After just my first year in college, I was invited to be a part of the Berklee City Music alumni “Check Your Pulse Tour” during the summer of 2018. On this tour, I traveled the country exchanging knowledge and gaining experience with various musicians and artists, as a budding touring artist. Growing up and being exposed to different cultures, my eclectic sound fuses Pop, Rock, R&B/Soul, and Jazz. When creating, I draw inspiration from self-expression rooted in authenticity and personal evolution, which I continued to foster during my time at Berklee.
Live performance is a big part of my artistry. When I perform, I capture the attention of everyone in the audience. The way in which I occupy the stage with my demanding stage presence and captivating vocals, sets me aside from other artists and makes attending a Lea Grace show a must see! In 2019, I released my debut single “Need Time”. Following that release, I dealt with the trials and tribulations of the pandemic, finding my authentic voice, and solidifying my true style. Eventually my passion for artistry overflowed resulting in me fully embarking on the scary, yet beautiful journey of being a full-time music artist. After graduating from college with a B.M. in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic, my debut EP, “Transparent”, was released catapulting me into curating multiple productions and gaining much traction in the northern region for myself and other local artists.
Setting my sights on expanding my artistry and taking my career to the next level, I moved to Atlanta, GA. Standing out in an audition by singing Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love”, I served as a background singer for Lil Yachty, performing at many festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Rolling Loud and many others. I also joined him on tour and supported him on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Currently, I’m continuing to connect with the world by doing live shows all over the country from acoustic sets to full ensemble band productions, and am also preparing for a new body of work. In my newest single, “twenty-five.”, I speak to the challenges that occur when you are reaching a significant phase of life and the importance of persevering through it all. Using my creative, yet authentic nature, I hope to continue building my own empire as a recording artist, entertaining and positively impacting millions for years to come.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
GRANTS! I wish I knew about the possibility of an artist grant earlier in my journey! I always thought they were only for people at a very high level that I wouldn’t be able to reach for a long time in my career. Yes, you still need to be pretty established in your art to be eligible for most of them, but most organizations prefer and target upcoming/underground artists. As long as you can prove that you have a plan going forward and you have previous works, most likely you will find help for funding. As artists/creatives we know how much it takes to be able to complete and present our art. Sometimes, lack of funding puts a stall on the creativity, not only because it can put a mental block on your creative pour out, but also simply because you need funds for supplies. You might want to expand your idea and we are only bound by what we can see. If you see no limits, it’s easier to create freely and potentially break barriers!! So all underground artists, believe in yourself enough to find help with funding so you can focus on being revolutionary, not where you’re going to get your next paint brush, or how you’re going to record your next single.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
All the interactions I have with people that share how they enjoyed my performance always means a lot to me. The most rewarding thing about being an artist, choosing to pour my soul and being into my music, is when someone comes up to me after a show, even if it’s a separate interaction then when they first experienced my art, to tell me just how much they really felt it. I feel like it takes a lot of courage to compliment people, let alone explaining why it resonated so well. I appreciate more than just the compliments. It’s sometimes the fact they were touched so much they needed to share with me just exactly how it impacted them! That’s why I do this, that’s why I write what I do, to connect with the ones who get it, the ones who need it. So its all the reward I need to keep going when it’s hard to.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamleagrace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamleagracee
- Other: https://linktr.ee/iamleagrace
Image Credits
Kylah Edge
Dave Green
Atticus Charles-Vardon
Aaron Mclaughlin
Carter Proffitt