Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Larena.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Valerie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For as long as I can remember, music was a passion of mine. Born in the hustle and bustle of Haiti’s capital Carrefour. Music was a big deal in our household, from the legendary voice of Céline Dion, the sultry Senela dancing on stage, to the classical French singer like Fréderick François. Along with music, dancing played just as big a part with our family parties, and that’s where my love for African Music came in (Soukous especially). There was no specific genre that was a favorite of mine, as they all were. Music was my magnet. Growing up in a country that is considered the “poorest country in the Western Hemisphere”; I say “considered” because I never saw it that way.
Music and the Arts is Haiti. I remember being ten years old and my mother putting glitter all over my face and hair, wearing the most beautiful color clothes for the ” Kanaval” my primary school held every year. I would perform and sing for my school and friends.
I moved here to the states in June 2001. Haiti was all I knew, my friends and family were all I knew and that was all changing. My mother signed us up for a summer camp program in Fields Corner that summer, the other kids were all Vietnamese and my sister really struggled because we did not speak English. I tried to learn as much as I could before I head off to the new school in September. Middle school ended up not being as bad as I thought it would be, I was in an ESL class with other Haitian Natives and a Haitian teacher. It was a huge relief, I made friends pretty quickly.
High school was the start of it all for me, It is where I decided and was determined to become a singer. Our football coach (Coach Rob) was like a second father to me. Every day after school, I would go down to his office to practice and sing my heart out, as I hear him scream out ” you ain’t real boy” to the football players. From then on, he would have sung the national anthem at every football, basketball, pep rallies, graduation, even a high school reunion. I think to this day, he gave me the confidence I needed to really believe I could do this. There was also, Mr. Fitzpatrick. My Love for the blues (the likes of Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald) came from him.
I had never heard of such Music, but boy, was I instantly pulled in. Mr. Fitzpatrick organized my first ever concert at English High School in Jamaica Plain. We had a whole team to organize the whole thing, I felt like a real superstar then. In high school, I was known as the girl who sings.
While my friends were talking and planning their time in college, I wanted to pursue Music. That summer after graduation, it was game on. I became an artist. in Development with a music Company in Cambridge, MA. I was actively taking voice & Piano lessons, dance lessons at the Janette Neil Dance Studio. Coming from a Haitian household, I was not really doing things by the book. With every Haitian parent, when they call back home they need to talk about their kids studying medicine or law, ya know, something to brag about.
My life took a completely different turn the following year when I learned that I was expecting a little girl (I was 19 years old). A little girl I named Music (Last name French). I remember the nurse thinking the dosage of medicine may have been too high, and asking me if I needed more time to think of another name lol, I assured her that I was not off my rockers with medicine and that yes, I wanted to name my daughter Music.
My passion for music lives through my daughter Music, I see it every day. With Bruce Springsteen being her favorite singer as he is mine, and from seeing her not being able to sit still through one African song. For the past eight years, I’ve put 100 percent of my energy on being the best mom I could be for Music.
I went back to School to earn my degree in Business, working the steady 9-5 for a corporate company, and driving to and from her extracurricular activities ( swimming, dance, Gymnastics). It was not until recently this year, with the help and support of close friends, I’ve summoned that thirst for my music again.
I’ve done a number of live performances in Boston this year such as open mic nights at Milkway way lounge in JP, Monday night lives at Tamboo Lounge in Brockton. I am working on my EP album which is scheduled to Debut early 2019. It will consist of seven-eight songs where you will hear pour my heart and soul. It’ll be a very versatile album (Afro-Carribean, Pop, Zouk, R&B. My single will debut early February.
Thank you kindly to my sweet best-friend/Bag Designer (Vavvoune.com) Valerie Blaise for reaching out to you guys, I am beyond lucky to have such an incredible friend like her.
2010 Changed me
2016 broke me
2018 opened my eyes
2019 Valerie Larena is coming and here to stay
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Gosh no! I became a mother at a very young age (19 years old), I was a child myself. Before my little one, I was certain I knew how it was all going to play out. Then this little person comes into my life, and it became clear pretty fast, that it was not about me anymore.
I was not in school, I had to provide somehow. Any job I could get my hands, I worked. I read a lot, that helped me and I was very active on the social forums of other single mothers and teen moms. One major advice I could give to other women or young girls who found themselves in the position that I did, is to not be ashamed to ask for help, It takes an army to raise a child, I could not have done it alone. I would also tell them to trust their process, and that we all have our own journey.
It took me nearly 10 years to realize that it’s never too late to pursue my dreams in Music. With hard- work and dedication. What’s meant for you will always be for you. No one can ever take that away.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Singer, Performer based out of Boston, MA born and raised in Haiti. I sing in three Languages (Haitian-Creole, French & English). There is a power in Music, it moves people. If there is one song that can describe word for word what Music is to me, it’s “I was here” by Beyonce.
“I want to say I lived each day until I die
And know that I meant something in, somebody’s life
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see”
To leave my mark on this world through my music is all I dream about.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Absolutely! Everything about my upbringing and experiences played a huuuuge part. Lol! (had to emphasize a bit.)
Looking back at that little girl who would sing in the living room for her family, and now going out to the world to let her voice be heard. Absolutely!
To to be able to look at my daughter in the eyes and tell her “if mommy can do it, so can you.”
Life has a way of humbling you, and I’m grateful that it did.
I am a better Mother, Daughter, friend, and Singer because of it.
Contact Info:
- Phone: Vanessa Joseph (My Publicist) 857-544-0244
- Email: ValerieLarena@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/valerielarena
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valerielarenamusic/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/Valerielarena
- Other: Youtube.com/valerielarena
Image Credit:
kwesi abbensetts Photography
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