Be in the Band Alumni Stories: Mia Kelly
We first met Mia when she was just 12 years old in Wakefield, Quebec at the community centre. Usually, for the initial meet and greet, we ask students to perform a song for us so that we can get a sense of where they are technically and musically. In Mia’s case, she needed a keyboard and mic but she was there a bit early and we hadn’t yet set up the P.A. system. She informed us that she didn’t need a mic (her mom echoed ‘no, she really doesn’t need a mic’). Without a lot of fanfare, Mia arrived on the scene, belting out a big song with an already huge voice and a ton of vocal range. That year we paired her up with a group of very strong 17 year old musicians and she successfully fronted the band and led them to some excellent performances at the Black Sheep in Wakefield, a Canada Day performance as well as performing at RBC Bluesfest that summer. She continued with the program for three years and since then has been performing regularly online and throughout the Ottawa and surrounding area.
“Be in the Band really helped me find my voice. I had been playing in my room basically, and the program in Wakefield got me out of the house and working with incredibly talented young musicians. Before Be in the Band, I liked learning music a lot, but I never thought I would someday get up on a big stage and perform with a band at 12 years old! Thanks to Bluesfest and the fantastic coaches Pat and Greg, I got to develop my musical ear and style in a safe and super supportive environment”.
A highlight for Mia was a pre-Bluesfest performance at the infamous Black Sheep Inn, where she eventually held her EP release. “That Black Sheep show was huge. It was packed solid with people and the group I was playing with really showed up and nailed it. To finish a song and hear the crowd roar was such great feedback. It made us realize that the work we did to get there with the coaches, sometimes a slog, sometimes very productive, was all worth it. Now, when I look at something that I want to accomplish, I know that some of it will come easily, and some will be hard work, but the end result is the goal so it is all worth it”.
Since Be in the Band, Mia has been playing a ton of shows, including with CityFolk, Marvest, Gatineau Balloon Fest, Festival Of Small Halls, Habitat for Humanity, National Arts Centre and many more. You can read more about her at her webpage miakellymusic.com and find out more about why the Ottawa Citizen said: “… a knockout voice … heartfelt songs …” -Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
