We were lucky to catch up with Lyndsay Haldorson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lyndsay, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I genuinely love people (the majority of us are great!).
I’ve found a way to merge my heartfelt joy of Performing with connecting to others in an audience by including them in the show and interacting with them. I have always enjoyed events or parties because there is a sparkly energy in a music-filled room. People show up with a raised vibration in celebration mode, always heightening the positive energy. People laugh, they dance, they look and feel their best.
When I perform, they shine their energy light on me, and I like to give it right back. I interact with the crowd to give people a special experience, because everyone deserves that. I want to make them feel important and to take part in something profound and moving or just silly and fun – a digression from a possibly mundane or routine kind of day. I like to give them something they may remember – if only for an instant (those Instagram-able moments do last a bit longer).
God gave me a Gemini list of talents that have led me to become a slashie (yep, I said it!):
Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Choreographer, Rapper, Actress, Model, Host, Writer, Show Producer & Director, Talent Contractor, and Mom.
Being a working mom gave me the most limitless expression of love, and also grounded and empowered me in life and Performance. Momming could be its own article.
I find my purpose in all of these, and each has allowed me to connect to a wide variety of people in my journey, expanding who I am, contributing to my evolution, and finding new ways to express my purpose.
I earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism to tell the stories I gathered. My first jobs, however, were in hospitality and the service industry. I have always enjoyed talking to different people, hearing their stories, getting new viewpoints, even while waiting on them. You wouldn’t normally walk up to those same people on the street or start a conversation with them. What an opportunity to meet new people, right?
But my journey still took me back to Performing. I’m a sucker for sequins and a microphone.
Singing and performing have always made me happy, but that’s boring if it’s only self-serving and doesn’t contribute to a greater good. I do think that there is value in people watching me do what I love and what I’ve been gifted from God. Maybe just seeing it can inspire them to do the same. Maybe subtly acknowledging another’s uniqueness or confidence can lead them to allowing their own to emerge.
Too Hippe-dippie for ya? Well, there is more! Haha!
Interviews ask you to dive deeper, so get your scuba gear on!
(Speaking of scuba, I love diving with sharks, but again, I digress.)
I have perfectionist tendencies, which usually means I am disappointed because I pine for the sometimes unattainable ideal. Who or what is perfect? Intellectually, I know that “perfect” is subjective and illusive, and shouldn’t be the goal.
Live performance allows me to relish in the present moment. It takes me out of my head and out of a perfectionist mindset.
It’s an expression and celebration of the best that beauty, art and human creation can offer. It can heal pain.
In the best of times, I can connect and transcend to that euphoric, limitless, creative God level, that plane or dimension that exists above us and connects us to each other. Tapping into that is where purpose is realized.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
You can find me as the reigning Cabaret Queen at my residency in Hollywood at Mainro’s Dinner Show. I host and sing and dance while people eat, party, and celebrate their birthdays. Aerialists, Dancers, Magicians, a DJ, and horn players, and impressive lighting complete the Vegas-style package. I’ve been performing there for the last 2 years, and truly love this spot – I may be singing from a hoop in the ceiling or a stage that elevates above a double staircase.
I also do Private Events and started a new restaurant with dancers and my full band, Lyndsay & the All-Nighters.
We normally only do Private Events and a big New Year’s Eve show, Prohibition NYE at Union Station with KCRW.
(I have music out under “Lyndsay & the All-Nighters” on all digital platforms. Website: https://lyndsayandtheallnighters.com).
Rewind time: I used to perform the cabaret pieces I wrote with Carlos Rodgarman for the Floor Show (produced by the Floor Productions – thank you Carolina & Sasha!)). This show led to an offer of creating a new show at the Edison downtown, which spurred the creation of my band (thank you, Barbara Jacobs!).
I costumed, choreographed, and was bandleader (and co-MD with Dave Schulz from the band, Berlin). Musician credits include Rod Stewart, Berlin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Smokey Robinson, Chambers Brothers, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and dancers have graced stages with Rihanna, Sting, Justin Timberlake, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo, and more.
Lyndsay & the All-Nighters gave our all to a 3-year residency at the Edison, which led to the cover of Niteguide Magazine as the Featured Performer, bringing back Classic Nightlife. The show also landed us the W Hollywood Jazz Night (thank you, Bobby!).
And then Stevie Wonder happened. He got up on stage with us to do “Superstition” and told me to sing with him. This was a beyond-a-bucket-list moment.
Years before, I was asked to fill out my dream duet on a questionnaire — I filled in Stevie Wonder’s name.
He then materialized on my stage.
I also remember going to a Mariah Carey concert at Staples Center, thinking, “I wanna perform here.”
The next year, I sang the National Anthem 3 times there for Lakers/Clippers games.
Did I sing it perfectly? Nope. But it made me try harder for the next steps on the dream ladder.
I realized the power of manifestation, the nuance of details, and the necessity of properly preparing for your dreams.
I have had such a rollercoaster journey that has been blessed with so many amazing experiences. The people I have met, befriended and worked with have led to the next chapters and highlights.
I can Name Drop with the best of ’em, which seems to be the Hollywood currency.
Let’s play that game – I have opened for or shared stages with ….. Stevie Wonder (twice!), Chaka Kahn, Martha Wash, Thelma Houston, Cheryl Lynn, Lupe Fiasco, Paul Okenfold, and sung for projects with Ryan Gosling (yes, he is ridiculously talented), Jaime Presley, David Arquette, Craig Robinson, Kelly Osborne, Diego Boneta, Jeff Goldblum, etc.
I sang for years in corporate bands doing high-profile events around the world, such as the Governor’s Ball for the Emmy Awards and opening for Lady Gaga, Drake, Pitbull,etc.
My dance background, coupled with singing, led me to travel to Japan, South Korea, Hawaii performing for the U.S. Marines. I’ve traveled the world performing. What an honor, a gift, a blessing, and how much fun do I get to have??
As a singer/songwriter, I’ve been blessed to work with Luigi Gonzales (Grammy nominated producer, Taylor Dane…), Danny Saber (Marilyn Manson, Garbage, Esthero…), Robb Boldt (Fergie, Carmen Electra…), Rob Lewis (Christina Aguilera, Babyface…) Saverio Principini (multi-platinum producer – Grazie!!) and many more.
I’ve had my music placed in MTV, videogames, and film soundtracks.
Acting is another love. I grew up doing plays and musicals, and didn’t really stop. While I pursued that world in LA, I added to my resume with films like “Miss March” & a short called “Shattered Pitch” with Chad Coleman, (“The Walking Dead”) placing her music & playing the lead. The residuals role in for TV shows such as “Dark Blue,” “The Forgotten,” and “Scrubs.”
In the dance world, I worked with choreographers such as Chris Judd, Ed Moore & Gil Duldula (Janet Jackson).
I’ve always loved hip hop (I used to sing and write and be a part of a hip hop group) and have a rap feature coming up on “Come Talk to Me ft. L. Michelle” by my friend, Erich Jackson. You can find samples of that world if you look up “Queen.” I wrote for and rapped for the digital girl group, AVTR. That was sooo much fun and I got to play with that personality, which is also a part of me.
I love writing cabarets and raps and all the thangs. Gemini much?
I have branched out to Hosting (even writing my own jokes!) and to the event production side as well, creating and hiring entertainment.
I’m excited to do more of that, while continuing to perform. I would love to sync more music, of course, and I always love acting.
To wrap it up,
I have to thank Carolina Cerisola, for not only being family, but also referring me to some cool jobs & this article. Te amo!
I dedicate every moment of my exciting life to my mother and my family…
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Trust in life, God, and yourself enough to know that it will all turn out well.
It’s OK to let go of a chapter without writing the next yet. The pen will work.
One job may need to end, you can feel it. Maybe creatively, you need to move on, even if financially, it is scary.
I would worry about how/when the next one would happen – and it always came.
Somewhat related to Trust is Openness – be open to new people, new experiences, while staying true to yourself.
You don’t have to compromise your values to be successful. And actual success can look very different than your 20-year-old self may have envisioned.
Value yourself, while staying realistic. You are replaceable to most people who hire you.
Of course you are probably great and special, but LA is full of eager talent that is great and special in a different way.
Look at some things from the viewpoint of the employer.
Treat everyone with respect. Everyone has a backstory.
And remember that what pays you does not fully define you. Your identity is composed of so much more.
Make sure you have the other parts of life fulfilled because jobs will change or end.
Practice gratefulness. Remember the joy that your gifts can bring you and others.
Let that shine every time. Don’t get too jaded by the business.
If you try to stay on that positive frequency, it will spread to others that you touch.
I do grounding, gratefulness prayers, and mantras before shows.
I’ve found that it makes a huge internal difference, and I believe that people can feel that and maybe experience it with you.
(Also, as far as practical advice, if you are a singer – stretch your entire body like a dancer before a show. It loosens you up and gets rid of any tension that may find its way to your throat.)
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My amazing mom passed away almost 20 years ago. She was such a loving, selfless silly soul – a 24-7 caregiver as mother of 5 and a nurse.
Her love and affection gave me confidence and self-worth and allowed me to pursue my dreams.
My dad was the strong rock. Both of my parents supported my ambitions, even when they helped support a college degree that I then quickly decided not to use.
They made sure I got the dance classes, took me to choir practices and attended all of my shows/recitals (and recorded them – thanks, Dad!!).
All of this while juggling four other children. They gave me a great childhood – stable and fun – that paved the way for a great life, and I’m grateful to them.
Love you Mom & Dad!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lyndsayandtheallnighters.com/home
- Instagram: @lyndsaywhat
Image Credits
Carlos Maidana, Zachary Hudson, Lika Brutyan, Peter Ronen, Abraham Bascon, Catie Engalla, Alegria Magazine, Niteguide Magazine,
