Meet Valerie Saint Martin

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valerie Saint Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valerie below.

Valerie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

We don’t find our purpose because we don’t have to look for it; it’s already within us. We tap into it by being and doing what makes us feel alive. We follow the clues. For me, that place has always been through creativity and music.

At age four, I already loved singing. According to my parents, I would sing a popular song at the time on repeat with enthusiasm. Little did I know that I would train as an opera singer years later!

When I was eight, I saw a harpist perform and fell completely in love with the instrument. This was my first significant encounter with creativity. Years later, it was a fellow harpist who introduced me to the beautiful art form of opera.

The two encounters with harp and opera illustrate how I’ve always followed the clues. These powerful art forms have defined the direction of my life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a professional harpist and opera singer. I am dedicated to using these two powerful, yet very different, art forms to enrich people’s lives. As an independent artist, I blend my skills to create unique musical experiences.

What is most special about my art is the way these two disciplines inform each other. As an opera singer, I have an understanding of musical drama and emotional intensity. This allows me to bring a depth of expression to my harp playing. My work is not only about technique. It’s about storytelling and transforming a space with sound. This fusion of vocal power and instrumental elegance is the core of my artistic brand.

Right now, I am most focused on expanding my work as a composer and solo performer. I draw my inspiration from minimalism and film scores. I want to create pieces that both convey emotion and trigger the imagination. My recent harp composition, ‘The Lady of the Underworld,’ is a fusion of operatic drama with a cinematic, minimalist soundscape.

I aim to continue exploring new musical territories. I want to share the transformative power of this unique perspective with my audience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

As a musician, even though mastering my craft is crucial, I would say that the most impactful skill is my mindset. All other important qualities and skills depend on it.

This is the foundation. Having a growth and positive mindset gives me the fuel to pursue the next ‘clue’ in my journey.

Having a clear vision and the ability to focus are essential. Combined with flexibility and a detachment from a specific outcome. Focus on the direction, not the destination.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning

In the arts and in life, standing still is moving backward. Curiosity is the fuel that drives me to explore, learn, and experiment.

The Ability to Enjoy the Journey

Creativity is a work in progress with its ups and downs. I’ve learned to accept the times when I lose motivation or inspiration, knowing they are a natural part of the creative process.

My advice for developing these qualities is simple: Consistent actions and trust.

Take the first steps or actions you can take right now, even if they feel inconsequential. You’ll only gain clarity by taking action. Be consistent: it is better to practice five minutes a day than one hour a month. Get out of your head and stay in your heart. Trust the process and enjoy the journey!

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Books have played a huge role in my development.

Among the many books that have influenced me, one in particular changed my life. When I am stuck, I still refer to it. The book is “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Interestingly, I learned about this book by synchronicity, a term the author mentions. The most significant lesson I gained from it was to stop waiting for the perfect day or perfect circumstances to start creating what I desire. It taught me to take control of my life and the power of taking action in the direction of my dreams. One of the tools she recommends is the morning pages. It is a ritual I love and have been doing for many years. You write three pages every morning of whatever is on your mind without any judgment.

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