This journey will allow them to showcase themselves in three important markets in the Quebec music industry.
“We find backgrounds quite different within our cohort. Some have a lot of stage experience, and others very little. It’s good to be able to run the show a little before arriving on the big Francos platform!” launched Waterloise Laïla Lessard in an interview with The Voice of the East.
“I feel a mixture of stress and gratitude for everything we are going through right now.”
Here we see Laïla Lessard on a stage that she knows well, that of the Maison de la culture de Waterloo. (Olivier Savoie Campeau)
Like adopted Granbyian Yanni Massi, Laïla had already been able to sing in front of several relatives in mid-March, while the Maison de la culture hosted the traditional “Labos” of the National Song School. Tuesday’s performance will have an all the more special flavor as she approaches a big move to Sherbrooke, where she hopes to advance her career.
“It’s quite difficult because I’m really attached to my corner. For me, Waterloo is a perfect mix between nature and a more urban side. At the same time, I can’t wait to explore the cultural hub that is Sherbrooke,” confided the 24-year-old young woman.
| Tour dates |
|---|
| Tuesday June 11, 7:30 p.m., at the Maison de la culture de Waterloo |
| Wednesday June 12, 8 p.m., at La Chapelle de Québec |
| Saturday June 15, 4:45 p.m., at the Francos de Montréal (Pub Brasseurs de Montréal, corner of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Urbain streets) *** free access |
In addition to a group number, each of the 14 graduates (the full list can be found below) will be able to present a composition, with the support of four professional musicians. Spectators gathered at La Chapelle on Wednesday will be able to see and hear two artists from the Quebec region (Julie Anne Miquelon and Gabby Lou) and another from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (Emma Lépine).
Laïla Lessard, for her part, chose Before living in the woodsa piece that bears witness to influences coming from both neo soul and pop-folk.
“The main message is that I want to make a living from my music before returning to settle in the countryside. It’s always been my passion and I don’t have a plan B. It’s that or nothing!” indicated the one who sometimes accompanies herself on the piano or even the ukulele.
Adopted Granbyian Yanni Massi. (Olivier Savoie Campeau)
Over the course of a fairly intense 10-month course in Granby, students from the École de la chanson can refine their artistic proposal with courses dedicated, among other things, to writing, album production and management. of a career. However, above all, Laïla will keep the memory of an extraordinary human experience.
“I feel so connected with my colleagues. Presenting something that is 100% your own implies a certain vulnerability. We live it together and it allowed us to become a family. That’s really the right word.”
Well represented at the FICG
The 2024 graduates undoubtedly want to follow in the footsteps of the seven graduates who will participate, in mid-August, in the semi-finals of the 56th Granby International Song Festival. We are talking here about Alexandre Evans, Alex Mitaine, Jérémie Arsenault, Julia Larochelle, Le Belladone, Luan Larobina and Tristan Alantar.
Even if this dynamic is nothing new, Bruno Robitaille never tires of seeing former protégés make their way in the industry.
“It shows that what we do here is relevant, that we equip our students well,” rejoiced the director of the National School of Song.
That said, the leaders of the local institution did not hesitate to look outside their fold for the next version of La Traversée. The French Lisa Ducasse and OETE will come to Quebec very soon (if they haven’t already) to work with Viriginie B and Radiant Baby. Their joint show will be presented at the Francos next week, and in Paris next fall.
“At the School, we also have projects to coaching to help artists in their development, even when they have already emerged,” explained Mr. Robitaille.
“I have behind me the poster for the 2018 Crossing with Pomme, which is now very successful. We are in that caliber.”
• Laurence Bay
• Samuel Boulianne
• Marquise Desmarais
• Viola Franceschi
• Pierrick Labonté
• Francis Larouche
• Chloé Leclerc
• Emma Lépine
• Laïla Lessard
• Gabby Lou
• Yanni Massi
• Julie Anne Miquelon
• Amélia Quessy
• Josyane Vaillancourt
