Today’s Notable Young Professional is musician and artist Florence K, who writes music, sings, and plays piano both on records and on stage, including clubs and casinos from Atlantic City to Morocco. What was the inspiration for her career? Find out in today’s profile...
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m a musician, an artist, and I love my job! I write music that I sing and play on the piano, both on records and on stage. I also have the pleasure to host a radio show every Saturday night on French CBC where I also play music with my trio.
What was the inspiration for this career route?
I was born into a musical family. My mother is an opera singer, my father is a rock guitarist and pop songwriter, and my stepfather is a jazz bass player. I grew up surrounded by music and studied classical piano from the age of 4 to the age of 16. Afterwards, I went to college and did a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, but throughout my studies I played piano four nights a week in a Polish restaurant and sang in clubs and casinos in Atlantic City and in Morocco. At 21 years old, I was offered an opportunity to record my own music (live at the Lion d’Or) and it turned to be the starting point of my Florence K career.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of it is that I’m absolutely passionate about what I do. I live and breathe music, and I would probably still do so even if it wasn’t my job. I also have tons of opportunities to travel, meet people and work with an amazing team. My work also involves different aspects and I love them all: writing music in my living room, working with my team, being on stage and communicating with the public, recording in the studio, doing promo, showing up at galas and events, and being an ambassador for UNICEF and for the UNISON benevolent fund.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself doing exactly what I do today – going on stage, recording albums and loving my work. However, I wish to be able to do so internationally as well, since I love discovering new places, new audiences and sharing my music with other cultures.
What does success look like to you?
There are so many ways of being successful and to me it is a state of mind when you’re totally at peace with everything you do in your life, whether it’s professionally, personally, or in your relationship with others. To me, being successful is leading a balanced life and doing your best every day in every possible situation.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Writing and recording my new album “I’m Leaving You” this year with musician, producer and mentor Larry Klein.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Life is filled with surprises and opportunities. For me, it’s by going out there and playing music and singing, whether it is in a Cafe, in a bar, in a choir, or in the metro; as long as you dedicate yourself to your passion and what makes you happy, whatever that is. Never close yourself to possibilities and opportunities, you never know where they might lead you, or who you might meet.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I’m an ambassador for the UNISON benevolent fund, which supports artists who are going through a difficult time, and I’m also a Canadian Ambassador for UNICEF.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
I’m a total iPhone junkie!
Upcoming Shows:
December 3, 2013 – She will be performing at the Jazz Bistro (Toronto) to benefit the Unison Benevolent Fund, a charitable organization that provides counselling, emergency relief, and benefit programs for those in the Canadian music community who face personal or professional challenges due to hardship, illness, unemployment or economic difficulties.
December 6, 2013 – She was just recently added on the list of performers for CBC’s Sounds of the Season, an event to benefit local food banks in the area.