Dans l'épisode d'aujourd'hui, Camille, Danielle et Céleste Lévis ont parlé de leur expérience de déménager du Nord de l'Ontario à Ottawa ! Céleste a aussi partagé son parcours musical, de Timmins... à La Voix !
Céleste Lévis a grandi à Timmins en Ontario. La musique fait son arrivée plus tard dans sa vie, suite à de graves problèmes de santé qui obligent la jeune fille à arrêter toute activité sportive. Dans les moments les plus sombres, la musique lui offre une deuxième vie. Ayant pris goût au métier, l’auteure-compositrice-interprète désire monter sur scène plus que jamais.
En 2013, la jeune Franco-ontarienne participe à Ontario Pop, véritable tremplin pour la relève musicale francophone de l'Ontario. Céleste remporte 6 des 8 prix. Depuis elle a lancé deux albums et a remporté plusieurs prix et reconnaissances, dont une nomination au Gala de l’ADISQ pour album adulte-contemporain de l’année.
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00:00:00
Hello everyone! I am Danielle Roy, one of the hosts of today’s podcast.
And I am Camille Sigouin. I am the other podcast host.
00:00:11
Thank you all for being with us today. Welcome to the official podcast of l'Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario.
00:00:17
F-O qu'on s'parle. F-O qu'on s'parle is an opportunity to have discussions with accessible models, influencers and people who inspire us in the Franco-Ontarian community, who really had an impact on our lives, and on the community in general. The podcast is funded by ACFO Ottawa, Ottawa bilingue program. It is a program that funds projects that focus on bilingualism in Ottawa.
00:00:48
So, today, our guest was Céleste Lévis. We had a really good conversation with Céleste ,because the three of us come from northern Ontario.
00:00:58
We mostly talked about migration from the North to Ottawa, but also moving from northern Ontario in general. And the feeling of belonging that we share. She also told us a lot about her musical career, and her time at La Voix. It was a wonderful conversation with Céleste. She certainly is an accessible model for music, and for northern Ontario. Enjoy the podcast everyone.
00:01:28
Hello Céleste, how are you today? I am well, thank you.
00:01:41
Thank you very much for being with us on episode 9 of the AFO podcast.
00:01:45
I'm really, really happy to be able to chat with you. It's an honor to have you. You know Céleste, we need to talk about the migration from Northern Ontario to elsewhere in Ontario.
00:02:01
So, tell us a bit about yourself, your background, your experiences, your expertise.
00:02:06
Oh my god, that's a pretty loose question. I'll start, I am a singer-songwriter from Timmins, Ontario. I am now in Ottawa.
00:02:26
I left Timmins for the first time officially, to go to the University of Ottawa. It was really my first step toward the city, it was not wanted.
00:02:39
But it happened.
00:02:43
What year did you leave Timmins?
00:02:47
I graduated in 2013, so it was in the fall of 2013 that I left to begin my studies at the University of Ottawa in advanced mathematics.
00:02:55
Interesting. It doesn't really relate to what I do anymore, but I love math, I love school. We're different that way. I did two years of college, and that's it, no ambition to go back to school.
00:03:25
Just to give everyone a little context, before we begin our conversation today. We're all from the north, I'm from Iroquois Falls, which is an hour from Timmins, Camille is from Hearst, two or three hours from Timmins, and you are from Timmins. We all had different backgrounds when it came to moving from the North. And, we had different reactions to moving from the North. What affected you the most when you moved? Did you have a shock? Because I had an intense one when I moved.
00:04:08
Absolutely. Yes for me. We used to visit my family, often here in Ottawa, and in Gatineau, at least twice a year. I also have family in Toronto too. so the big city didn't scare me. I just couldn't wait to have more stuff, because you know in Timmins, you have to go to Sudbury, which is also in the North. But for us, it's a three-hour drive, to go to the mall, to go to the store we like, for example. It always has been. And I was always eager to go to London, to go to Toronto to meet family, to have different experiences.
00:04:49
But when I officially left for college, I left my family, I was really very, very close. I am also the youngest in my family, so I had seen my Brothers. Leaving for Timmins, for Guelph, and Toronto, so I was used to the idea of moving. But being alone in college for the first time without my family.
00:05:17
It was really a big shock. Did you move in with roommates? Or you moved into an apartment on your own
00:05:25
the first year? I was in student dorms at the University of Ottawa. So it helped me a lot.
00:05:33
I don't know if it's the same for the rest of you, but because I have been to school in French, the students often left for either Sudbury, to continue their studies in French or in Ottawa. So I was lucky too, since we were still a gang of friends who left every year, who went either to Sudbury or Ottawa we were not completely alone. So it sure helps, but I was in student dorms for the first year.
00:06:03
So sometimes I could go see my friends at least. At least you had your friends. I had a different experience.
00:06:13
I moved during high school. So I was all alone with my family. I ended up in a school of 1,500 people from Hearst, which has 300 people, to a school of 1500. Did you go to Thériault?
00:06:28
Yes, Thériault.
00:06:31
I remember we went to volleyball tournaments and basketball tournaments in Thériault, and we said to ourselves wow it's a big school. It's a super nice school. We hosted the music festival Quand ca nous chante for several years. So, I was really lucky to have a high school that hosted lots of events there that brought together lots of students from all over. So that was cool.
00:06:57
Yes, those activities, I never realised but things like FESFO, Quand ca nous chante, it was really something that helped me grow as a person.
00:07:11
I was looking around, there wasn't much diversity.
00:07:16
There I saw different cultures. I saw different people who came from everywhere, people who came from other countries, who came to participate. In Iroquois Falls there was no such multiculturalism. It takes us out of our isolation.
00:07:34
Even in Timmins, in the last few years, really. You see lots of different cultures, that there are restaurants opening, so it's really fun to see the North begin to develop.
00:07:52
Even Hearst, you mentioned Camille, since Hearst University.
00:07:59 Herst
The university did a lot of international recruiting for their program. And Hearst University is in Timmins too.
00:08:04
You mentioned it, everyone is in Sudbury, Ottawa, especially those who want to continue in French, Sudbury and Ottawa. And in the last few years, Hearst, some stay and and the rest go to Timmins. But for me growing up it was never a question. I knew there was a time when I was going to leave, to go to school, to continue my studies, to find a job.
00:08:38
I had to leave. You grow up with this expectation
00:08:45
So it's no surprise when you move out. But once you're gone, and you're actually in that situation. Camille is a little different because you were in high school. But I got there. And I mentioned it in another episode, I think. But it was really a huge shock. My family basically said after my first semester, “You have to come back, because it's not funny anymore you're sad to death”. It was really sad, it wasn't cute. But I decided to finish my year because I wanted the credits, I wanted to finish the year well. It was during that semester, that things lined up, and I decided to stay, and to finish. I'm really glad I did, but now I'm in a situation, where, with all the jobs and opportunities. Now that I'm a little known here. A year ago I was certain I was going to move back north. Now, I am not so sure if I would move back north. Do you see yourself moving back north?
00:09:58
It's the same. It was my plan to come back because my brothers also knew they were going to return, but with the music, because we do shows, we do workshops all over Ontario and Quebec. Ottawa is really the middle, my base is here. I am fortunate to work with several school boards. And at the same time, when I go to a show, it's not too far on both sides, doesn't matter where I go. So that's important. Now, if we decide to move to the North, I don't know if I would have the same opportunities I have here in Ottawa.
00:10:39 When
When you moved did you know you were going to have a career in music? Did it happen when you were in ottawa?
00:10:49 Was
Was that planned?
00:10:54
That's what's funny too, My career started in the North. At home, obviously. My first opportunities, my first competitions, were competitions in northern Ontario, like La Brunante in Sudbury. That's what I started with. I did it a few times. Finally, the next contest was Ontario Pop here in Ottawa. But the artists who inspired me were artists from northern Ontario. It's fun to see these people, but it certainly develops. When I left for college, my plan was really to become. I don't know if I had a plan but I wanted to at least finish my baccalaureate in advanced math and be a teacher or something. To be back in the North. But to have my weekends, my evenings, my summer, when there are festivals and shows. I was hoping to do it on the side. This is what is funny. But ultimately, because my career grew with the show La Voix. I don't have the choice to be here, I think.
00:12:15
Do you want to tell us about your music journey?
00:12:18
Because I know there have been some big challenges in your life, and that's what brought you to La Voix. Do you want to tell us about how you got there? How did you decide to go to La Voix?
00:12:34
This is probably where people go “oh”. I remember Celeste when you went to La Voix. I went home, and everyone was talking about it. People were so pumped.
00:13:05
Yes, so, if we really start at the beginning of this great story, that is my relationship with music. I was a very, very athletic girl when I was young. And, like I mentioned, I have two older brothers, and I followed them in everything they did. So I was very, very, very athletic and my dream was to become a professional basketball player. It was what I really wanted. But unfortunately in eighth grade, at 13, I started having headaches and symptoms.
00:13:38
I had memory loss, like now. Memory loss, hallucinations. It took 8 months to find
00:13:51
What was going on with me. Then, at the end of the 8 months, I could no longer walk. I was in a wheelchair. Then that's when they found out that I had Chiari's malformation. It's when your brain goes down in the spine, so the fluid that circulates around the brain can't flow because it gets crushed, the brain gets crushed and it causes all kinds of symptoms. When they finally figured this out, I had brain surgery, then spine surgery to make room. Behind my head there is a piece of skull that has been removed. So I had a hole, and nothing to protect my brain. So obviously sports is no more an option for me. I can't risk getting hit in the head. I was always a positive girl, I love to smile, I love to be myself, but it was very difficult at the time obviously.Because, all my dreams, everything I knew, I could do then was gone. I had to reinvent myself. But I had to find something else to keep being this positive and happy girl. So I found music, because my grandfather had a grand piano at his house and often played. It's funny because my parents gave me piano lessons and I didn't want anything to do whith that. I didint want someone telling me what to do. In sports, it's in your head, you push yourself, it's really up to you to practice or not. I don't want people telling me exactly what to do. My grandfather doesn't really know how to play, he plays by ear. So if it sounds good, he likes it, he makes a lot of mistakes, but he adapts. I found it really interesting. This is where I chose. I asked for a piano for my birthday, then I started playing. As soon as I learned a few chords, I started to write songs, and that's where I started the songwriter competitions, in high school. It gave me experiences on scene. After winning competitions in Ontario, I went to Quebec to do other francophone competitions, as a songwriter. Then, eventually La Voix, it was one of the competitions that I had not done. People talked about it a lot, but it was a big challenge for me, to decide to go do a TV show that was all about interpretation, covers. For so many years, I had developed this love, this passion for writing songs. And to be a singer-songwriter and not just a singer. So it was a big challenge. And finally, I said to myself, it's another experience, other people to meet. And that's exactly what it was. This experience, to learn from this experience. It was an amazing showcase that gave people the chance to like my voice, or not, but love my voice, and then choose to follow me and my original songs.
00:17:12
It really did that.
00:17:16
I also think it was really fun that I was one of the first representatives. I was the Ontario representation who went the furthest at the time,I think to this day. But to represent northern Ontario, and Ontario as a whole. With my accent and everything that came with who I am, and where I came from. I was proud to show it. And I think people welcomed it very well. And they were able to discover other artists from Ontario from it, because we heard so much about it during the interviews at La Voix, so it was really important.
00:17:51
Coming from northern Ontario there is always a certain pride in coming from the north. you are always more proud to be from the North. When we moved.
00:18:02
My sister went to school, and Claude Giroux went to my high school in Orléans and he is from Herst. Everyone said, Claude Giroux comes from Orleans.
00:18:16
My sister said; no he is from Herst, he is not from Orleans. Are you proud to be from Timmins? Do you live in Ottawa, but say you're from Timmins, or is it a bit of both?
00:18:30
Those are all questions that i'm asking myself right now. Like when it comes to my bio for example. It's a full page bio. Of course it says im from Timmins, Ontario, but when you shorten it, are we gonna say from Timmins, Ontario? from Ottawa? Because I live here now but am from northern Ontario. When I perform my songs, it's one of the first things I say, no matter where I am, whether in Saguenay or anywhere. I say I'm from Timmins, and there is someone who says my cousin worked there . There is always someone who knows someone from the North. I am very, very proud to say that I am from Northern Ontario. It's beautiful everything that comes with this title, I'll wear it for the rest of my life.
00:19:25
Certainly, the fact that you're doing this I find that also encourages for everyone who left northern Ontario. You know for me, it's always: “Where do you come from?” “Do you know Timmins? Well it is one hour from Timmins.” I think it encourages people to say I'm from the north, I'm born and raised in Iroquois Falls and my family is still there . And every time someone hears you say that, it probably... If you do it in high school, you do it in elementary school, or in college, it probably means another person who's going to say, “You know what? I am from ??????, I am from Herst.” The feeling of belonging. I think that's what I missed a lot when I moved. I think it gives a 30 seconds of
00:20:24
Oh oh! Oh! Oh!
00:20:31
People bond with that for sure.
00:20:39
We talked about school, and that you moved out. Do you think you would have done La Voix if you would have stayed in Timmins? That you would have made the trip. Or do you think you, living in Ottawa, and the fact that it was closer and more accessible, had an impact on you, going to the audition. This year
00:20:59
That year was one of the busiest years, starting my career, I couldn't believe how activities I was doing. I did the Jam show, I did the place des arts in Montreal, I did Granby. As a first year of university, it was crazy,all the musical activities I was doing during my studies. I could already see that, if this was gonna keep going, this is where I had to stay. Because even during the summer, I went to Timmins, but I would take.
00:21:40
a flight to Ottawa, and then drive to Petite-Vallée.
00:21:47
Ottawa has always been the center of everything. Yeah. I have a question about this year, COVID, how did it affect you in your professional life, your life as an artist, and your life in general.
00:22:10
How was it, the impact of this pandemic, on your projects, and what you wanted to do this year?
00:22:21
I could either respond very quickly or very slowly. But the start of the pandemic, receiving emails or not receiving news at all, saying that your show has been canceled, that they wont even postpone it, they will just cancel it. It was the most difficult, at the same time, there were so many people going through the same thing. We talked a lot about the arts and artists, but behind, there are also sound technicians, freelance musicians who make a living from it. It's the artists too, but there are other communities that have been affected. When we talk about the arts. It is the whole community that has been affected as well. But for us, I say we, because Marc-Antoine Joli is my fiancé, he is my guitarist, we work together. So, it was my best year, my best festival summer. I had just produced a tour in Quebec. And talked about it throughout the year, to all the people we met in different training courses. I was saying how I was proud to present this tour, to invest in it, because I believed in it. And I wanted the music industry in Ontario, Canada, Quebec, I wanted them to take me seriously, and give me a chance to continue, because once again, I have to justify the fact that I am a singer-songwriter. On the show La Voix. Some people who stopped seeing me on TV think I stopped music, but that's not true. So we are always trying to prove ourselves like anyone else. But I was really proud of that year. Then finally, it seems that the industry said, ok she is not just an artist who won a couple of contests in Ontario, coming to the Quebec side for these few contests in Quebec. She is an artist who will really return, who will come back to do shows, who will do the most she can. Finally, it looks like I had that chance. We had planned great tours in Quebec. I had planned to go to different provinces, where I had never done a show. I had planned festivals, they finally asked me to do shows, because I am known to sing in more intimate venues, soft and all. But we can adapt our shows. It was really difficult, but I already had the idea to release a Christmas album too. And since we worked hard to have our studio here, at home, we were able to at least continue to record, to have songs, to finalize, to present. Even though it was very difficult we were able to get by. And , like I always do, I try to stay positive. And we found ways to get around the more difficult times, to create new opportunities. So it was overwhelming. But I think we did well. And we did what we could.
00:25:30
The creation of new opportunities. I think it was everyone's motto for the pandemic, excellent
00:25:43
In everything you've done
00:25:54
Your background, your challenges. What would be the advice you would give to someone who wants to get into music right now, or in general? I know right now, this year, it's different, just because of the pandemic. Usually, what are the lessons you've learned that you've shared with other young female artists, other young people, or not even young people, people that have wanted to do it for years. I think of my father who is an incredible singer, if he would decide to go into music 100%, after his retirement, what advice would you give?
00:26:32
Yes, of course we can talk more specifically about music, but I think these advice applies to absolutely everything. It's to do as much as you can, in order to get as much personal experience as you can. Because with each experience, of course, we learn, it is also about meeting different people. If we talk about music, about competitions and all,try to participate, meet people, and meet trainers. That alone will help you alot. If you don't win it's okay. Try again next year, if you still don't win, apply to another competition or whatever But it's about doing as much as possible with what you have, there are all kinds of opportunities. Of course, I know the competitions here, in French Ontario. But there are several people who don't even know it exists. That's why I often talk about it. Quand ça nous chante, La brunante, Ontario Pop which is now called Rond Point. There are plenty of things available, it doesn't matter if it's music, if it's dancing, sports, whatever. You just have to surround yourself with people who believe in you. You have to believe in yourself too, And if you keep working hard, because, no one else is going to work for you, I think you can achieve anything in life. I sincerely believe in it. You might not be a star or a billionaire, but at least you're gonna play music and you're gonna be happy.
00:28:04
What a beautiful message
00:28:12 I think we have covered our questions Danielle, I could talk about it for a long time because moving out of the north. We all moved for different reasons, but we all stayed for different reasons too.
00:28:30
At the same time, it also joins. I feel like Ontario Francophonie is indirectly connected. Have you ever thought of moving to Montreal, for your music? Or it's really important that you stay in the province.
00:28:47
Yeah, that's a good question. After The Voice,since I had so much going on in the two provinces. I had a foothold in Montreal,I still had my address in Timmins, because I went up north so often, and when I could, I would come with my family, But I would also stay with Martin Rocheleau, when I needed a place here in Ottawa. So for a good two year, it seems like I didn't even know where I lived, but this is where I needed to make a decision. Since it was really important to me to stay in Ontario. And it’s the best decision I could have made for my career. For my French-speaking pride too. I am lucky enough to give workshops in several schools all over the place, and to talk with young people, and tell them “It's ok to dream big, to dream in French too.” For me it was the best decision, but I still dream of going back home in Timmins, and building a family there, that's for sure.
00:29:49
But we'll see. But we'll see.
00:29:52
I would also like to go back, but it's hard to gage. This is the when and the how of all this. With Camille, I got my little circle here. My god, talk about supporting people, people to uplift you, it's mental how much you need them.
00:30:26
At the same time with the virtual, since we don't really see people, the shows, the workshops, everything, are done virtually. This year, I could have been anywhere, and made a few trips for the contracts that needed it. What's going to be normal next year? I obviously hope that we will be able to see people, and move around, but that is difficult to know. Exactly.
00:31:02
My boss sent me to the north, as soon as the pandemic struck, I spent almost five months at my dad’s. in his dining room, where there were 3 or 4 of us doing Zooms. It was interesting, just being able to do that. I was able to put my foot down and see my friends. Seeing these people is so important. It's so heartwarming. It's been a long time since I went back. I went back in July and I haven't been back since. I am ready for Christmas, I am ready to isolate myself and take the necessary time to visit my family during Christmas time. It's important to make sure everyone is safe, but it really is an odd year. It's going to be a very odd Christmas this year.
00:31:48
I think that's pretty much all we wanted to talk to you about, unless Camille has points that I forgot. No I think that's it
00:31:58
Migration from the north, to elsewhere in the province, that was a perfect conversation. It's tough but it's possible.
00:32:09
We named today's show; You can take the girl out of the North but you can't take the North out of the girl.
00:32:21
It's true, it will stay. When I go back there, I pick up the accent and the words that we use. It's so fun, it's a part of me.
00:32:33
I always look forward to going back. When I was in high school, up north, my friends laughed at my Ottawa accent, and when I came back from the North, my friends from Ottawa laughed at my northern accent from the North, my accent had even more developed in the week that I spent there.
00:32:51
Funny little anecdote before we finish. Me and Camille, we went to Paris last year. Yes.
00:33:01
We started talking with people from Paris, people looked at me as if I was speaking Chinese, or some other language that they didn't understand at all. We were in an Uber, I was talking with the driver for about 5 minutes.
00:33:24
Because I like to talk. finally
00:33:29
I stop talking,He looks at Camille and says “Was she speaking French ?” Oh my God,alright I understood. It's a pride, that's it. It's reality, it's okay, I love myself. I like my accent. I like my accent, it's not in my pocket. But thank you again Celeste for saying accepting to come on the show.
00:34:05
where can people find you, what's your Instagram, Facebook? What are your names?
00:34:14
Yes, so everything is under Céleste Lévis. So, if it's Instagram, Facebook, even my website, it's still Céleste Lévis. So they can find me there. I'm still very active on social networks. So if you want to know what's going on in my life, you want to see my bunny, or when I get the chance to go back to Northern Ontario that's where to find it.
00:34:38
Well thank you very much. to all listeners. Follow Céleste on these platforms. And don't forget to follow the AFO at @monassemblee on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube for information on upcoming episodes. In the last episode of the season, we're going to be talking to a drag queen, so see you soon everyone, and thank you Celeste. Thank you so much.