Grace Lachance has the chance to work with professional producers and songwriters in Toronto and record her own single after winning the She’s the One competition in Ottawa July 11. Photo courtesy of Grace Lachance

Catholic student wins Ottawa Bluesfest talent contest

By 
  • July 22, 2015

Amateur singer, songwriter and guitarist Grace Lachance convinced those at this year's RBC Ottawa Bluesfest that she's the one worthy of becoming a professional musician.

The 14-year-old Catholic high school student came out the victor after competing in the She's the One finals at the festival on July 11.

“I didn't expect to win because of all the talent that was there,” said the student from Stittsville, Ont.'s Sacred Heart High School. “It felt great being up there. To just perform in Bluesfest's (She's the One) is a great opportunity.”

Festival director Mark Monahan said young artists lack opportunity to turn music into a career and programs like She's the One “create opportunities for young people to realize their musical potential.”

The annual competition attracts hundreds of female applicants aged 13 to 21 from across Canada.

“You basically send in an audition video of you singing,” she said. “Then they narrow it down to 10 girls.”

Those finalists then competed at the festival, performing two songs. Lachance, who first performed at Bluesfest last year — although not as part of the She's the One competition — covered Kodaline's "All I Want" as well as an original track, "Try."

She won the chance to work with professional producers and songwriters in Toronto and recording a single with Universal Music Canada.

“I'm just concentrating on that right now,” she said.

With a diverse palate for music ranging from pop to country, Lachance hopes working with professionals over the next few months will also help her find her sound.

“I am definitely a little all over the place when it comes to genres because I like artists and music from all different ones,” she said.

The entire process of potentially transforming into a professional musician is a dream come true for Lachance.

“Ever since I was little and someone would ask me what I wanted to be it was always singer or musician,” she said. “I'm really excited about moving forward towards that.”

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