Rising South African singer and songwriter, Madelaine, is excited to announce the release of her debut EP entitled, EK Kies Vandag, hot on the heels of the release of her debut single of the same name.
The mother of two took the leap into full-time professional performing later than most, waiting until her 40s to fully commit, despite being born into a very musical family and singing, playing the piano and writing her own songs from a very young age.
“My mother said I used to climb onto the church benches during prayer meetings and sing out loud to all the worship songs when I was still very young,” she says, reminiscing about her musical childhood.
“When I got the opportunity to write and sing in the ATKV Crescendo Auditions in August 2022, I had to go for it. I needed to showcase my gift and ability to sing and write my own songs,” said the 47-year-old former Strategic Planner and Project Manager.
Madelaine started her musical training with classical piano lessons at the age of 5.
“At age 10 (1986) I was selected for the NKP Kinderkoor which was later known as the University of Pretoria Jakaranda Kinderkoor. Choir music has always been a great part and love of my life. In primary and high school, I was always part of the school choirs and ensemble groups,” she reminisces sharing that participating in talent shows for singing, piano and acting has shaped her as a performer.
Her EP, Ek Kies Vandag, has been decades in the making. Her song Stiltes was written in 2001 in what she calls a time of reflecting and praying. The following year she wrote My Iemand about her search for love and this year she finished her album with the songs, Exodus, Woorde and Ek Kies Vandag.
Madelaine’s musical journey is heavily influenced by her life and her personal story.
“I am at a better place in my life than ever before. I know who I am. I know what my strengths and weaknesses are. I have a story to tell and a message of hope to bring to everyone who can appreciate my music,” she said.
Her album which she describes as adult contemporary with a little bit of smooth jazz includes music composition by Helmut Meijer.
“I am so blessed to have him as my producer. He just ‘gets me’.
Madelaine says she feels like she has a new lease on life and is excited about her budding career.
“Everything in life that happened and is happening to you has a purpose. You can either allow it to break you or you can learn from it and grow and become a better you. In the end, with the power of God in you, the choice is yours. You can speak life over your situations. You might not be able to change external factors, but how you see it and believe it and respond to it is fully in your power. You can choose a better you. A better day,” she says.
Ek Kies Vandag can be found on all streaming platforms.
Listen to the EP via YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MLiyGI90do&list=OLAK5uy_ncymydIH6jFuNLplvpnJIThX9UGXZPwHs
For more info you can also visit her website: https://www.madelaine.co.za
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelainemusicsa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madelainemusicsa/
MORE ABOUT MADELAINE PARSONS
● Madelaine is originally from Pretoria but has been living in the Northern Cape since 2000. For the last two decades, Upington has been her and her family’s home and she see her heart rooted in the Kalahari.
● Madelaine, born into a very musical family on her father’s side, has been singing, playing piano and writing her own songs since a very young age. Apart from school concerts, -choirs, -ensembles and -revues in which she many times played the main character, she also formed part of the former NKP Children’s Choir and later the Northern Transvaal Youth Choir. After completing her matric in Pretoria in 1993, she became involved in a Christian Missions (Youth with a Mission) and performing arts group (African Breeze) for six years, while studying part-time through UNISA. During these years she was also able to travel internationally and got exposed to different cultures and music genres.
● However, in 2000, she decided to “grow up and get a real job”. She graduated with a degree in Human and Social Studies from Unisa and started working as a Strategic Planner and Project Manager, first in the private sector, but soon switched to Local Government and later National Government. Singing was now only done in the shower or when she sang lullabies to her children at night. A few times she tried to pick up her music by getting involved in worship at church, but time was never enough to juggle all the balls as a career woman, mother and wife. After a professional career of 25 years, she eventually resigned in 2022.
● Her initial motivation for resigning was to spend more time at home with her children, who at that stage were both struggling with their schooling. Being at home also allowed her to dust off her dreams and passions and she has been crafting, painting and singing daily ever since.
● In August 2022, she auditioned for the ATKV Crescendo singing and songwriting mentorship program. She was selected as one of the 21 participants from across the country who completed a very intense programme in April 2022 in Paarl.
● Although she didn’t go through to the final round of the programme, she sees this opportunity as a stepping stone into her new career as a full-time artist and will forever be grateful to Robin-Dean Fourie (Die Hooflig) and Morne van Staden (Programme Manager) who made it possible.
