Slave to the Calling – A Musical Evolution

By Jillian Locke

If there’s one thing that Massachusetts is known for (other than taxes, of course), it’s the never-ending surge of musical and artistic talent that continues to spring forth like a musical fountain. Enter Patrice Peris, a young, fresh, enthusiastic Pop/R&B vocalist hopeful hailing from Shrewsbury. She’s already performed at numerous venues around Boston (including at the Boston 3 Day Walk for Cancer) and commanded a crowd of 4,000 at the DCU Center. But she hasn’t stopped there. While studying abroad in Italy, she utilized her strong personality and networking skills and landed control of a hip-hop night at a popular local club. Peris has gone above and beyond her call of musical duty in the early stages of the game and shows no signs of easing up.

“I guess you could say I have always been involved in music,” Peris reminisces. “I can remember being a kid and putting on shows for the family. I would get props and have a full out show! I guess you could say I just loved to perform. Since than I have always had music apart of my life whether I was in chorus, musicals, or organizing hip-hop nights while I was abroad. I can’t get away from it!”

During her vocal journey of discovery, Peris has had a little help from some great friends. “I have worked with so many great vocal coaches, like Kathy Ludt of Shrewsbury, Dawn Tucker of Foothills Theatre, and currently with Ric Poulin, the creator of the Bristol Method and owner of Bristol Studio. He is credited for newly signed Universal/Motown girl group Jada.”

Bristol Studios is not just a recording studio, but a musical think-tank for artist development. After finding the recording studio while searching online, Peris took advantage of a free vocal lesson ~ and thus began her professional and creative evolution. “After I was there for about a year I started to work with Ric. The thing I love about Bristol is that it is not just about the voice, but it is about Artist Development and everything that goes into being an artist. It is not just that I can sing, so therefor I should get a major record deal. There is so much more that goes into developing yourself as an artist…I love the creating process…it is such a huge part of what I do…For me it’s so important to continue to improve and evolve. It is not just about being able to sing. Being able to create a product that you love is something really powerful.”

Who, you may wonder, has been particularly influential to Peris’s evolution into such a powerful vocal force? The answers may not surprise you. “I love Alicia Keys!” Peris exclaims. “If you were to take a little of Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Rihanna and infuse them into one person that is what I represent…I have learned so much by watching each of them and their influence has helped me in creating my show and my own musical style.”

Her influences, along with her glowing personality and incredible drive, are quickly catapulting Patrice Peris to the top of the local Pop/R&B/Dance ladder, and 2008 is shaping up to be her biggest and brightest year yet. “I am in the process of finishing my album…and booking shows for the summer and spring which are going to be all around the New England area. As for any shows in Worcester, I don’t have any at this moment but it would be awesome to do one! If any venues out there want to hire me I would love to do it! The process of creating the show is so important to me and I put A LOT of time into it. Being able to share it with my audience is always such a great high. Before it was all a dream but now I can truly say I am doing it!!”

www.seepatrice.com
www.bristolstudios.com
www.myspace.com/patriceperis