What started with her sister listening to the radio, eventually led Natalie Morris, a 2018 graduate of our Music Industry Arts and Performance (MIAP) program, to become the new anthem singer for the Toronto Maple Leafs! This incredible journey Natalie has been on is something that she says has been very exciting.
When her sister told her that there was an open call for auditions, Natalie sent in a video as a preliminary audition near the end of July of last year and heard back the next month saying they wanted her to do another audition in person. From there, they narrowed it down, and after completing another in-person audition, she was notified in September that she was selected!
Looking back at the first performance, Natalie shares that she was nervous but adds, “Everyone has been super welcoming and friendly, and I’m privileged to be part of the MLSE team.”
NATALIE’S JOURNEY TO CENTENNIAL
With a passion for singing her whole life, Natalie eventually segued from an educational path centred around math to a program in music. When she first heard about the MIAP program, it was still in its early years, but she says that when she was accepted, she was just excited to be in and see who she could meet and what she could do.
Looking back at her time in the program, she acquired several lessons that still stand out to her, such as that she is capable of doing the work. “Sometimes, as a student, it’s a little bit difficult to work and do school, so it just proved to myself that I could do it and that I had that capability.” Additionally, networking was a major takeaway, as she shares, “The people you meet are so awe-inspiring. They are very encouraging and very supportive.” She adds that the information she learned in the program was also very valuable and that she really had a great time with other students and instructors.
For several years now, Natalie has hosted the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design’s Black History Month Showcase, which is a culmination of various art mediums surrounding a different theme each year. This commenced while Natalie was in the MIAP program, along with some of her classmates, and she shares that it was fun to try her hand at a performance coordinating role that she had never really done before. You can watch this year’s showcase with Natalie here.
Following the theme of networking, Natalie’s advice to those interested in pursuing the MIAP program, and to those in the program currently, is to keep in touch with your friends. “I think specifically the music industry is very much who you are and what you do, but it’s also who you know; a huge part about getting opportunities is definitely who you know. I’ve gotten opportunities through even my ensemble teachers who would call us back for things… so definitely network.”
After graduating, Natalie had to decide whether to pursue a career in music with the diploma she received or go back to school for a path she followed prior to Centennial. Deciding on the latter, she shares that she never stopped singing and performing; it just wasn’t in such a formal space as before. She adds, “Because of the opportunities with the school, I was able to continue with the Black History Month Showcase performance, so I would come back every year and do that. Then teachers would call and say, ‘hey can you do this project,’ so I was still part of that, and all of those things helped to build my music resume. I feel like I’ve gotten this position [with the Leafs] in part because of my experience with Centennial.”
Natalie adds, “The people at Centennial have always been super welcoming for me and have always been super supportive. Definitely Gillian and Scott – they’ve been super, super, super supportive, so I am just grateful.”
ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PURSUE MUSIC
“There’s always going to be opportunities, so just keep tracing it, and if one opportunity is not there, there will be others. I don’t think you should give up – just keep perfecting your craft while you’re searching for those next opportunities,” she shares.
Natalie explains that when she started music, she didn’t realize the extent of just how many avenues there are. After Centennial, she shares that she had quite a few different experiences just with music, so she reinforces the importance of enjoying the journey. “Remember who you are and why you are doing it, and evaluate every time to just make sure you’re doing it for you.”
Congratulations, Natalie, on such a phenomenal accomplishment! Your contributions to the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design are immensely valued, and we are thrilled at this incredible role you have taken on with the Maple Leafs.
Article by: Alexandra Few
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