INSPADES MAGAZINE SETTE | Page 102

F reestyling and free-flowing melodies from the heart, Alexandria Santaguida channels her music, allowing it to move through her as though she is the instrument creating, purely from feeling, complete songs without chords. Later, adding lyrics and working with producers to put chords to her sweet melodies, Alexandria’s creative process proves to be a gift that pours forth freely from her soul. “I had always been a performer - my mom said I was singing before I was talking. I danced as a child, played the violin and never missed a moment to put on a performance in the living room for whatever guests my parents had over. I had been writing poetry and songs since I can remember - entering poetry contests as young as age 10.” Though blessed with a loving family, Alexandria’s love of performance would have to take a backseat to her family’s ambitions for her future. A career in performance was not something her parents were able to understand, insisting she was to pursue a university degree in something more traditional. Following the “rules” Alexandria continued her schooling at McGill University in Montreal, with arts as only an extracurricular activity. Although her parents did support her other ambitions by providing her with singing lessons, Alexandria could not resonate with any of her voice coaches, and so abandoned any formal vocal training. However, Alexandria had begun making friends with students in the music program at McGill and, with one such friend from her choir elective, she produced her first recordings sitting in a bedroom with just a laptop and a USB microphone. 102 inspadesmag.com