Above: Rebecca Lenio performing at Sing Through the Rain |
For many people, music serves as a form of release, as a creative outlet, or as a career, but in this case, it serves as something else. For Scarborough native Rebecca Lenio, 18, music is her way of giving back to society one musical note at a time. Lenio began singing at age 13 and shortly after, picked up guitar. She plays a broad selection of music from pop to rock to musical-theatre, especially if it has a relatable message. "It’s actually kind of funny how my music mirrors my life a little bit, in that my goal is to do a little bit of everything in life too," says Lenio of her diverse taste in music.
As a devoted volunteer to various charities and foundations such as the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Lenio took her work a step further and began her work with charity benefit concerts to help raise awareness and money for different causes. As someone who believes in taking chances and chasing her dreams, Rebecca Lenio follows her motto, "never lose spirit," (fun fact: it's even tattooed on her wrist) as a reminder that she is stronger than the adversities she faces. In following this mantra, Lenio begins her charity benefit concert work.
"My goal in my charity work
and my music is really just to make a difference and inspire others to do the
same. It would be such a beautiful world if everyone chased their dreams,
followed their passion, and helped each other," says Lenio.
The Rock Spot chatted with Rebecca and asked her some questions about her music and her work with charity. Here is what she said:
Q: 1. Rebecca, what
motivated you to begin your work with charity benefit concerts?
A:The inspiration behind my
benefit concerts is the wonderfully kind Lindsay Thomas. Lindsay was a Canadian
musical theatre performer, and an amazingly generous person. She had the
biggest heart, and her infectious spirit had such an impact on so many, including
me. Sadly, Lindsay passed away just over three years ago after battling stage
four lung cancer. While I never had the privilege of knowing Lindsay
personally, I felt a connection to her as soon as I heard her story, almost as
though I did know her somehow. She has been such an inspiration to me, and it’s
because of her that I was inspired to make a difference in this world. Nobody
should have to fight this awful disease, and my hope is that, by raising money
and awareness, there will come a day when they won’t have to anymore.
Q: 2. How old were you when
you began to perform at charity benefit concerts?
A: The first benefit concert I
performed in was Never Lose Spirit when I was 17 years old. I’d had the idea
for about a year-and-a-half before I was actually able to make it happen, but
benefit concerts were just something I thought up one day. I had never been to
a benefit concert before, never mind performed in one, and then suddenly I was
organizing and performing in my own benefit concerts. I kind of just jumped
into the deep end!
Q: 3. What was the first
charity benefit concert you organized yourself? Which charity was it for?
A: The first benefit concert I
organized took place on April 3, 2012. I called it Never Lose Spirit, after my
life motto, and full proceeds were donated to cancer research at the Princess
Margaret Cancer Foundation. I actually held the concert at my high school as
part of a community initiative project I did for my 12th grade leadership
class.
Q: 4. What kind of music is
performed at the benefit concerts you've organized?
A: It varies from concert to
concert, but I like to have a little bit of everything. Usually, it is a
combination of pop, rock, and musical theatre selections, as well as original
songs, but I really leave it up to the performers to choose the style of music
they’d like to perform. I’m always open to new types of music. It also means
that there is hopefully something that will appeal to everyone in the audience.
Q: 5. Who else have you
performed with at these charity benefit concerts?
A: I usually perform with
other local indie musicians at my benefit concerts; however, I was fortunate
enough to have Valerie Stanois and Alana Bridgewater perform as special guests
at Never Lose Spirit. Valerie is best known for her portrayal of Oz in the
Toronto production of the musical We Will Rock You, and she was also the swing
in the musical Rock of Ages both in Toronto and on Broadway. Alana was also in
We Will Rock You as Killer Queen, she performed as Motormouth in Hairspray at the
Charlottetown Festival, and she appeared on the 2012 Juno Awards with William
Shatner. I’m so grateful to have had them perform in my concert.
Q: 6. What inspired you to
chose cancer-related charities to donate to at your benefit concerts?
A: Lindsay has always been the
single greatest inspiration behind my benefit concerts, which is why the
proceeds have always gone to cancer-related charities or organizations.
However, this past
September, my friend Sabrina lost her best friend Taylor to cancer. Taylor was
only 16 when she passed away, and she and Sabrina have really opened my eyes to
childhood cancer. They both inspired me to raise awareness for this important
cause, which is why I donated half of the proceeds from Sing Through The Rain
to Clinton’s Club, a childhood cancer charity in Tennessee that was very close
to Taylor’s heart.
Q: 7. What's your favourite
aspect of organizing and performing at charity benefit concerts?
A: I think my favourite aspect
is just knowing that I am making a difference. Not only am I raising money and
awareness for some very important causes, but I also hope that I am also
inspiring others to do the same. It’s so easy to think that one person can’t
make a difference, but we all have the potential to do so much! I just want
people to realize that. I hope they look at me and think, “Well, if she can do
that, maybe I can too.”
Q: 8. What's your most
memorable moment during one of your charity benefit concert performances?
A: Honestly, just being able
to make these concerts happen and bring people together for such deserving
causes is so memorable in of itself. However, the most memorable moment was
probably at Sing Through The Rain. After the concert, I was approached by a
gentleman who worked at the venue. He told me how much he enjoyed the concert
and what a great cause we were supporting, and he proceeded to donate $100. I
was floored. It’s something that will stick with me for a long time.
Q: 9. How would you say the
music you write and perform ties into your work with charities?
A: For me, writing and
performing music is about expressing myself. When I write, I write about things
that I feel strongly about or things that have had a substantial impact on me.
Only a few of them will appear on my first album, but I have written a number
of songs derived from my experiences working with different charities and
nonprofit organizations. After my album is done, I’m also going to release a
single and donating the proceeds to charity, although I have yet to decide
which charity I will donate to.
Q: 10. At charity benefit
concerts, do you usually play original music?
A: It depends on the concert
and the type of atmosphere we’re going for. Sometimes I play original songs,
but I primarily try to play songs that the audience will know and relate to.
More often then not, I end up taking popular songs and reworking them a little
to make them my own. That way the audience is familiar with the music, but it
still gives me the opportunity to take creative liberties and put my own spin on
it.
Q: 11. We hear that you are
working on an original solo album! Who are some of your musical influences and
inspirations?
A: There are so many! I guess
one of my biggest inspirations is the musical theatre community here in
Toronto. I first saw We Will Rock You when I was 13, and I was so inspired by
everyone who was in the cast. That was what really got me interested in
pursuing the arts, particularly music.
Since then, I’ve been
inspired by countless musical theatre performers. I’m actually a really big fan
of Scott Alan, who is a composer and lyricist who works with a lot of West End
and Broadway performers. I love the way each of his songs tells a story, and
the melodies are just so beautiful.
More recently, I’ve become
a really big fan of Amy Jo Johnson. Most people know her from different movies
and TV shows she’s been in, particularly Power Rangers and Flashpoint, but I
actually really admire her music. I think she’s a great songwriter, and I find
her music so relatable. I also like how she pursues music on the side because
that’s how I’ve always wanted to include music in my life. I sing and write
because I love it, but I don’t think I’d ever want it to be my career. That
said, music will always be one of my passions, which is why I wanted to create
this album and include it in my charity work.
Q: 12. What will your album be
entitled and when will it be released?
A: To be honest, I’m not
entirely sure yet. I’m only finished writing just over half the songs, so I
think one I’ve finished writing the rest I will have a better feel for the
album as a whole, and of what I want to call it.
I plan to have 9 songs on the upcoming album, but that’s subject to change. 5 of the songs from the album have already been written, and I’m hoping to get the last 4 or 5 done in the next month or two so that I can start recording in August. I hope to be able to release the album this fall.
Q: 13. Does your charity work
inspire your music on the album? If so, how?
A: I think in a way it is
almost the inspiration behind the whole album. My involvement in charity work
and the success of my benefit concerts has really empowered me. These
experiences have given me a lot more confidence in myself than I used to have,
and it’s because of this newfound confidence that I have finally committed to
releasing an album, which is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 15 or 16.
Q: 14. What's your personal
favourite song on the album and why?
A: It changes from day to day,
but currently it’s ‘Superhero’. I really enjoyed writing it, and I have a
really strong personal connection to the lyrics. While I feel a connection to
all my songs, I felt like this one really came from inside my heart, and I
think it will always ring true for me in one sense or another.
Q: 15. Are you planning or
performing at more charity benefit concerts any time soon?
A: Ultimately, yes. I’m actually taking on a bigger project at the moment. I’m in the process of starting an arts-related nonprofit organization with a strong music component to benefit people who are in the hospital or who are fighting long-term illnesses. Once the organization is incorporated, I’m hoping to do a huge kick off event that will include setting a world record and an afternoon benefit concert, among other things. My goal is to have the kick off event happen in the next year, but I’m not sure if I’ll put any other concerts on in the meantime. I’d love to for sure, but it just depends on if I have the time!
Q: 16. Any more voluntary work
in your near future?
A: Absolutely! I’m actually
volunteering at “Run or Walk to Conquer Cancer” at the end of the month in
support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, and I applied to volunteer
at Sick Kids in the fall. I also started donating blood regularly this year,
which isn’t volunteer work exactly, but it’s definitely a great way to give
back and help others.
Above: Lenio performing at Sing Through the Rain |
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