2023: A Year In Review
This year has been full of exciting adventures (both personally and professionally)! I wanted to provide a little recap as 2023 comes to a close and I look ahead to the new year.
In January, Spencer and I welcomed a baby girl to our family, miss Eden Debra Cheyne. She has been a source of joy for us as her parents, and Levi has certainly enjoyed being a big brother to his baby sister.
After a few months of postpartum recovery, we hit the ground running to record a music video for my single, “It Kills Me” (released June 2, 2023). This video was SO FUN to make! Give me a fur coat, a fake gun, and a vintage car…I’m ready to go! We filmed the entire video in one day at various locations in Calgary and had a blast doing it. WATCH VIDEO HERE!
I had the opportunity to perform at Canadian Music week in June and made the most of my time in Toronto. In addition to my scheduled performance, I spent the week doing photo shoots, a video shoot, appearing on national television as a guest on “The Morning Show”, and meeting with various industry professionals.
I spent most of my summer going on adventures with the kids - trips to the zoo, hiking in Kananaskis, days at the splash park, and even a family trip to Alaska. I did manage to sneak in a few performances (like the legendary Garden Party hosted by Brett Wilson) and several nights as a piano bar entertainer at Bar 1912 for the Stampede! As usual, I took my sister, Kristen, as my date to the garden party :-)
In September, I travelled to Hamilton, ON for the Canadian Country Music Awards. Highlights of the trip include a performance as part of the Country Music Alberta Showcase, and attending Spotify’s Women in Music brunch. I love catching up with my friends in the industry during CCMA week and was even able to have a few date nights with Spencer because he was working that week too! (Perks of both being in the music industry, I guess!).
Shortly thereafter, I had the incredible opportunity to perform two duets with Brett Kissel accompanied by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra!! It was a DREAM COME TRUE. We performed two nights - first, at the Bella Concert Hall, and secondly at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. I grew up taking violin lessons and went to many concerts at the Jack Singer, so to be there performing on stage with the orchestra was a full circle moment for me.
The new experiences kept coming in December when I had the opportunity to go to ANTARCTICA (yes, you read that right!) to be a piano bar entertainer for guests on a small, expedition ship. I spent my days hanging out with penguins, whales, and sea lions while my nights were filled singing my favourite songs (both originals and covers) for an attentive and enthusiastic audience. It was the perfect way to cap off the year!
Each year, it seems I am granted unique opportunities through music. 2023 was no different! I am so grateful for the year I had filled with family time, more travel adventures, and new and exciting musical experiences. I would like to list all of the things to look forward to in 2024, but each year, I am surprised by the opportunities that arise! Let’s keep it that way!
All my love to you and your families, and my hope for a prosperous New Year!
