Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Ardoin.
Kiana, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been in love with music. When I was three years old, dancing and singing in our living room, I told my mom that I wanted to be like Hannah Montana and have millions of fans all over the world. I’ve always had a dream and passion for connecting to others through art, first music then dancing, singing, visual art, spoken word and writing. To be completely honest, I don’t really know where it came from, perhaps I was simply born this way, but this passion has just been there and consequently been a sort of guideline for my life. I sang my first solo at the age of two in front of my church and began elementary school singing in choir.
I was later recruited to join the Houston Treble Choir and sang with this group for a few years while also doing choir and studying classical guitar in middle school. During these years, I mostly did choir and ensemble work, however, outside of school I was writing my own music. When I was thirteen, my guitar teacher and the jazz band director began giving me the opportunity to sing on guitar and band concerts. I also jumped at any opportunity to perform at my school, on any concert I possibly could. It was these musicians that mentored and inspired me to pursue a career in music. They saw a potential for greatness that truly gave me the motivation to put performing into perspective as not only a dream of mine but a future reality.
Going onto high school, I started a very new chapter of my journey as an artist. I began at the Kinder High School of Performing and Visual Arts as a classical voice major. However, I quickly realized that my focus was changing from what I was studying in the classroom. In the beginning of my freshman year, I performed at a local spot, Emmit’s Place, with my friends. I was fourteen and it was my very first gig and I remember being so ecstatic to be singing on-stage. I was so happy that I felt like I was going to burst. That was the night that I realized that performing was “it” for me. I always knew that music had such a special place in my heart, but being on-stage singing to people and having them sing backfilled my heart with such joy, it was a feeling unlike any other and to this day it is the only way that I can explain what performing is like for me.
Flash forward to where I am now pursuing a full-time career in music and acting in addition to being a student, I have accomplished many things and spent the last four years growing as an independent artist. A few years ago, I would’ve thought what I have accomplished so far was just a dream. In this last year, I have been performing consistently from singing background for local artists, performing for non-profit organizations, collaborating with other musicians on local gigs and writing music, won the National YoungArts Competition honorable mention category in Jazz Voice and recently closing out the Broadway Musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” as “Celie” at KinderHSPVA. This year has been one of wins and I am so grateful for every opportunity that I have been given to do what I love, connecting with others through art, and sharing my story.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
“The road to success is never easy, and if it feels easy, you’re not working hard enough, you’re not hungry enough.”
I have been blessed with many opportunities and connections over the years however, just like in any field, working towards a profession as a young person can be difficult. Focusing on making my dreams a reality has kept me from succumbing to discouragement and the condition of being human. The biggest struggle of mine has been taking the first step to putting myself out there, getting over fear. The phrases “dance like no one is watching” and “sing like no one is listening” are inspiring in theory, but in action it can be terrifying. It has taken me a long time of building confidence within myself to be comfortable standing up in a room full of strangers and express myself as if no one was watching, years of performing have taught me to translate the nervous energy in performing into excitement and adrenaline for me to use on the stage. Presenting your art or anything you have taken the time to create, whatever is your passion is scary because you’re being extremely vulnerable. However it is in conquering fear that we learn, it is in taking risks that we truly see what we are capable of.
One of my mentors told me that we cannot grow when we are comfortable and it was then that I realized that I had to get out of my own way to accomplish what I want for myself. I made my theatre debut in the Color Purple production this past march having only performed in two previous stageplays where I was casted as a vocal ensemble or as a background vocalist. I’d never had any true acting experience before, but I went into the audition knowing what role I wanted and believing in my abilities enough to put myself out there. Learning anything for the first time in front of an audience was intimidating at first. However, I consistently gave nothing short of my best and allowed myself room for error so that I could grow. If I let fear guide me, I would’ve robbed myself of an opportunity to grow as an artist and a person.
If I could share valuable advice with anyone, especially other young women pursuing success in their careers, is that your journey is your own, so thrive in it and live for every moment of it. When you look at what society deems as successful and you yourself are hungry and work hard because you want to be successful, it is incredibly easy to compare yourself to the people around you. However, the key lies in focusing on what you need to feel and be accomplished and, in doing so redefining what success looks like. We are all truly unique and everyone has their own individual purpose in this world.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am Kiana Ardoin- singer, musician, actor, performer, artist. As a native Houstonian and up and coming local Houston artist, I am proud to serve my community and bring joy to others through art. From performing at countless fundraising events in an effort to support non-profit organizations to providing audiences of any kind with entertainment and feel-good tunes. With a wide range of musical styles, I bring people together and pride myself on spreading love through art. In the center of everything I do is to create and share the beautiful experience that is art with everyone around me.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
If I could share valuable advice with anyone, especially other young women pursuing success in their careers, is that your journey is your own, so thrive in it and live for every moment of it. When you look at what society deems as successful and you yourself are hungry and work hard because you want to be successful, it is incredibly easy to compare yourself to the people around you. However, the key lies in focusing on what you need to feel and be accomplished and in doing so redefining what success looks like. Wherever you are on your path, keep working because you’ll get to there.
Contact Info:
- Email: kiardoinmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kianaardoin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiana.ardoin.77
Image Credit:
Helen Huneycutt
Sean Telez
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