by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
HALEY STATION — A Haley Station girl auditioned for La Voix Junior, but has to wait a few more weeks to see if she gets a callback.
Khloe Bertrand, 12, and a Grade 6 student at Cobden District Public School, has been singing since a child and taking singing lessons for five years. She sings whenever she can, wherever she can, as well as entering many competitions over the years. She is the daughter of Marc and Kerri Bertrand.
She recently completed her first year as the performer of O Canada at the home games of the Renfrew Junior B Timberwolves hockey games.
“The girl that used to sing went to college,” she said. “I sang a few times with her, so I knew the spot was open and I asked if I could sing.”
Talking about La Voix Junior, Khloe said it’s similar to the television show The Voice, except it’s in Quebec and it’s for those aged 7 to 14 years.
She said her father was watching La Voix (the French version of The Voice) on television and saw a commercial for La Voix Junior, checked it out online, told her about it, and she entered the pre-audition.
“It’s exactly like the television show, but it’s for juniors,” she said.
Khloe performed Skin by Sixx: A.M., a song about not judging people.
When she finished that, they asked her to sing another song which she wasn’t prepared to sing, but one she was familiar with. She chose I Won’t Let You Go by Rascal Flatts. They provided the music and she performed the song.
“It was all about getting the timing right,” Khloe explained, adding, when you practice a song, you are getting it down exactly as it’s supposed to be sung. However, even though you know a song, if you aren’t practising it, you may not get it exactly right, which is what the judges were looking for.
When she was singing I Won’t Let You Go, she recalled having to be careful not to let her voice go too low because then she would blend with the background vocals that were part of the music, which she didn’t want to do.
Once she finished, they asked her to stay for an interview and asked a variety of questions, such as when did she start singing and why does she like to sing. The interview lasted about 20 minutes, she said.
“There’s another month of pre-auditions to go,” she said, adding, “I’ll find out between mid-April to June if I make it to the audition.”
Khloe was number 2683 and there’s only 100 chosen to perform at the audition.
Khloe believes while she can sing, it’s also the support of her parents that has helped her develop her talent. She began singing lessons when she was seven and sings whenever she can.
“Lessons don’t teach you to sing, they teach you breathing and voice range,” Khloe said, adding, “If you’re trying to hold a tune, you do that yourself.”
She takes singing lessons from Joyce Moore Cowan in Pembroke and Patricia Kirk for voice and piano in Renfrew. Khloe can also play the guitar and ukulele.
When she competes there are five genres of music, sacred, secular, musical theatre, Disney and folk. In the Garden is her sacred song, while Spring is Singing in the Garden is her secular; Kitty of Coleraine is her folk and Maybe from Annie is her Disney while the musical theatre is Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid. However, she did note, if she had her choice of singing, it would be country and pop music.
Earlier this month, she competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival in Pembroke and returned home with two thirds. This was her fifth year competing at the Kiwanis Music Festival.
She is now preparing to compete at the Rotary music festival in Renfrew for the first time at the end of April; her third time at Katiebear, also in Renfrew, in May and in late summer, she will compete for the second time at the CNE Rising Star in Toronto. Competitors send in their music and if chosen are invited to the CNE. Last year she was excited to pass Stage 1 and performed at the CNE. She sang the song she sent in, but didn’t get any further. She noted it’s not just a singing competition, but there’s a mixture of performances, such as dancing, singing and playing musical instruments.
The Katiebear started as a fundraiser for children who need a hug, Khloe said. This will be her final time competing in the 12 and under division. Next year she moves onto the 13 to 17 age group.
Khloe enjoys singing.
“I like how you can express yourself through music,” she said, adding, “it’s emotional.”
Khloe is also creating music videos.
“I’m working on a new one now,” she said. “It’s just for fun.
“Another one is coming out soon,” but she wouldn’t reveal the song she’s singing in it.
Looking to her future, Khloe believes singing will be her career as she is constantly doing it.
“Mom tells me I sing in my sleep,” she said. “I’m always humming. I have a song in my head 24/7.”
Khloe has performed at a variety of events, including baptisms, fundraisers and at fairs.
“I would do anything for singing,” Khloe said.
And, while she may sing at hockey games, Khloe also plays centre and defence positions on the Upper Ottawa Valley Petite ringette team. Her team is now preparing for the provincial competition which is next month in Ottawa.
