Spotlight on Business: Tell us a little about yourself off the stage. What was it like growing up in Peterborough, Ontario? Elyse Saunders: A lot of my weekends growing up in Peterborough were spent at my Grandma and Grandpa’s farm. I have a big family on my mom’s side, so we always had family gatherings on the weekends. It was a blessing always to be surrounded by family and to have your cousins as your best friends. I also spent a lot of my youth camping, spending time at my friends’ cottages on Kawartha Lake, or attending Peterborough’s Music Festival. Peterborough has a lot to offer, and it was definitely a great place to grow up. Spotlight on Business: What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not writing music or on stage? Elyse Saunders: I’m pretty simple when it comes to time off. I love‘me’time, spending time with my friends and family, catching up on my favorite TV shows, right now I’m watching one of my favorite reality series
[Love is Blind]. I also enjoy traveling and adventure, but equally love spending time at home with my cats and husband. In a career that outputs a lot of energy, whether it’s business, being on stage, or meeting fans, it’s nice to just be able to shut off once in a while and not have to worry about the daily career decisions, the makeup, hair, and the outfits, and just relax a little bit. Spotlight on Business: When did your passion for music begin? Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that inspired you to get into the music industry? Elyse Saunders: I’ve always loved music since I was little. I grew up singing in choir, at home, writing songs in my diary, and dancing in recitals. My mom was an at- home hobby songwriter. I remember I was around four at the time and thinking how special it was to see her writing and playing songs in the kitchen – it inspired me to start writing my own songs at a young age because I thought it was a beautiful way to be able to express my emotions. I was
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I grew up singing in choir, at home, writing songs in my diary, and dancing in recitals. ”
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