Spotlight on Noelle Cassandra

Noelle Cassandra finds her sense of purpose through music. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Dina Abuel

Noelle Cassandra, “Asia’s Harp Angel”. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Dina Abuel

Noelle Cassandra is not only a renowned and celebrated harpist in Asia.

Interestingly—and incredibly enough—she is also a songwriter, music arranger, collaborator, singer, and a recording artist signed to one of the top major record labels in the Philippines.

Ever since she made a “splash” in the local music industry nearly a decade ago, she immediately stood out from the rest because of her musical instrument of choice. At her young age, she has managed to retain a positive image for herself and, indeed, Noelle Cassandra comes as a breath of fresh air to all music lovers.

The albums she has released have received critical acclaim and have been well accepted by the public. Likewise, she has taken home several awards from numerous award giving bodies in the country.

Noelle Cassandra is truly one of our most unique—in the purest sense of the word—and musically gifted artists we have today.

On a personal note, each time I would come across and read anything about her in any broadsheets, magazines, and websites, I would be fascinated by her and it would leave me hoping that, one day, I would be able to conduct a proper interview with Noelle Cassandra.

And now, that time has come for me!

1. Do you remember how old you were when you had first performed in front of a live audience ? Would you also remember what/how you felt at the time and if that in any way influenced your decision later on to pursue a career in music?

1. My first public performance was my first Harp Recital at the Vancouver Academy of Music in Canada. I had just started learning to play the harp and was the youngest student there! I can’t specifically remember how I felt at that age but I have pictures of a 4 year old smiling proudly with her little harp… so I must have been happy! After that, I remember at all the annual Harp Recitals I would have butterflies in my stomach, the good ones though!

1. Do you sometimes feel that you might have missed out on some childhood experiences, having devoted so much of your time to practicing and playing various musical instruments?

1. I don’t live my life with regrets so in short, nope! J I had a wonderful childhood and my parents really supported me in all the things I did- music, sports, friends, etc- all the normal kid/teen stuff! My mom especially is the driving force behind all that I do, you could say she is the wind beneath my wings! Whether it was driving me every week for my harp lessons or sitting on the couch while I practice to make sure I perfected all the songs on my repertoire list (and not skip songs :P) to flying with me to different places for my badminton tournaments or waiting up super late to drive me home after badminton practice. She has always made sure that I was supported to help me reach my goals.

1. What is your daily practice routine?

1. When I was at the University of British Columbia (UBC) getting my Bachelor of Music, I used to practice for 2 hours a day (if not more when I was preparing for my Recitals!). But now my practice routine isn’t as hardcore as when I was in UBC! It really varies depending on my upcoming performances.

1. Which foreign artists, living or dead, do you admire?

1. I really love Josh Groban! In fact, I was very blessed to have the opportunity to perform with him at his Manila concerts at the PICC. He’s very talented in bringing classical music (opera) to mainstream. It’s kinda what I’m trying to do with my harp by introducing classical-pop: by bringing a classical instrument and linking it with pop, I’m trying to make the harp appreciated and accessible to all listeners, not just to the classical music listener.

1. What role does your faith play when it comes to your music?

1. Faith is very important to me. I try to live by “3 P’s” – always have passion, persistence and prayer in all that you do.

1. Are there any pieces which come to mind that you find too technically or musically challenging for your abilities?

1. Being classically trained, I believe everything can be learned if you put your mind to it. Challenges are always good because it pushes you to strive for something. With focus and dedication, nothing is too challenging in music and in life.

1. What is your opinion of the overall evolution of the classical-pop genre when it comes to the involvement of social media?

1. Classical-pop genre is really evolving well, not only because of social media, but also because artists nowadays like Josh Groban, Adele, Bond, etc. aren’t afraid to express their true self. Social media truly does help as it allows the listener a voice and a worldwide stage to showcase their talents. Social media allows fans to post on my FB page songs that they think would sound great on the harp and with my voice, and even if I didn’t think this song would sound good, it does! So the listener is helping us artists evolve our art as well.

1. If you could change one thing now in the local scene, what would that be?

1. Hmmm, this doesn’t just pertain to the local scene but to the music industry in general and for women- I would change the body image that artists should be thin, sexy, hour-glass figure people. Humans aren’t all like that to begin with and music comes from the soul and heart of people, and if the music is good it shouldn’t matter if that person singing or performing it is a size zero or size twelve!

1. If you could relive any single moment or event in your young illustrious career, what would that be?

1. I think it would be my very first performance in the Philippines guesting in Kuh Ledesma’s “Tribute to George Canseco Concert”. I learned so much just from that experience and was introduced to many wonderful people and artists.

1. What do you love the most about being a recording artist?

1. I love that I get to share my music with people, especially songs that I have written. My songs are like a diary where you can really see what I personally was going through at the time that I wrote the song. And when people comment and say that they can relate or that they find comfort in my songs, it gives me great joy that it can speak and help others as well.

1. What message and lessons do you want to impart to the new generation of young hopefuls who wish to become as successful as you are?

1. Follow your dreams and always have passion, persistence and prayer in all that you do. Don’t compromise yourself just for fame- believe in yourself and follow your gut, stay focused and work hard and you will succeed.

1. How do you want people to remember you?

A. I would love people to remember me as Asia’s Harp Angel. Haha.. as well as being a nice, down-to-earth girl, because in the end when all the fame has blown away, you’re left with just you. And that’s enough.