Kaylene Peoples: A Renaissance Woman Redefining Excellence – Vogue Monaco, December 2024 Issue #6

When the term “Renaissance woman” is used to describe someone, it often evokes an image of boundless creativity, unparalleled versatility, and a relentless pursuit of excellence across disciplines. For Kaylene Peoples, this title is more than just a compliment—it’s a way of life. From her early years as a classically trained flutist to her rise as an award-winning composer, vocalist, and filmmaker, Kaylene embodies what it means to master multiple art forms while staying true to her authentic vision.

Editorial:

VOGUE MONACO is proud to present an intimate and multifaceted conversation with one of today’s most dynamic creators, Kaylene Peoples. Renowned as a Renaissance woman, her artistry spans music, film, and publishing, each infused with excellence and passion. From gracing the covers of esteemed publications to winning awards as a composer, Kaylene’s journey reflects an unwavering commitment to innovation and creativity. This exclusive interview offers a window into her life, unveiling the inspirations, milestones, and vision that have shaped her extraordinary career.

From a classically trained flutist to a celebrated jazz and Bossa Nova artist, from a pageant queen to a trailblazing editor-in-chief, Kaylene has worn many hats. Each endeavor has been executed with a level of mastery that defines her legacy. Yet, as she candidly reveals, the road to success is rarely straightforward. Join us as we delve into the “windy road” of Kaylene Peoples’s career, exploring her beginnings, inspirations, and the philosophies that fuel her creative pursuits.

Interview:

Vogue Monaco: How did you start your Career?

Kaylene Peoples: That’s a tricky question. If you’ve read my interviews, you’ll notice I’m often referred to as a Renaissance woman. Almost every publication that has featured me—even magazine covers—has titled me as such. The first to do so was APPAREL NEWS. Their editor attended a concert of mine at the House of Blues on Sunset in Hollywood, where I performed in an Octavio Carlin gown. (In case you’re wondering why a fashion trade magazine was covering a jazz and Bossa-Nova concert: I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief of AGENDA, a fashion and lifestyle magazine, which piqued their interest.) So, in answering this question, I’ll try to keep it as clear and straightforward as possible.

I’ve maintained several careers for decades, but the most public aspect of my journey is my music career, so I’ll start there. I trained classically as a flutist, starting at age nine after attending my sister’s performance in a band concert. I practiced three to five hours a day and discovered jazz at 11. When I stumbled upon the music of Hubert Laws and Dave Valentin, I became obsessed, memorizing all their solos.

At 16, I entered my first beauty pageant, Miss Junior Miss. I performed a Dave Valentin piece, won the talent portion, but fell short elsewhere—no poise, too lanky, and far too skinny. It was a disaster compared to the other contestants. Later, after taking piano lessons, I competed in Miss Anaheim America and won, performing an original piano composition. In the Miss California America pageant, I played “Flight of the Bumblebee” and the “William Tell Overture” on flute and piano, orchestrating the arrangement myself. Though I didn’t win, the experience helped me grow as a performer.

I then entered Miss California Young Miss, competing against 1,000 girls. I won, singing “New York, New York,” and also won Miss Golden State—two major wins in one go!

While attending UCLA, I was coaxed into singing “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey at a karaoke bar. An agent in the audience approached me afterward, and that led to a South East Asian tour. I spent time in Singapore and Indonesia as the female lead vocalist in a Top 40 band, performing hits by Jody Watley, Anita Baker, Sade, and Whitney Houston, among others.

When I returned, a producer contacted me to arrange a song for a newly signed Capitol Records artist. This led to years of nonstop work as an arranger and conductor for major labels like Capitol, Warner Bros., Universal Republic, and Polygram. Before graduating from UCLA, I apprenticed with a renowned composer, ghostwriting for major TV shows. I even orchestrated for a blockbuster film—but despite our agreement, I was denied both payment and credit. Frustrated, I transitioned from composing to performing.

I became a runway and editorial model, signed with LA Models, and dabbled in acting, even starring in a Dove commercial. But my composer’s heart longed for something more meaningful. I wrote and conducted the music for a Canadian dance company, a ballet called APOCALIPTICA, which ran for a month at Santa Monica College. Later, I produced an album for a singer, which won Best Artist of the Year and Best R&B Song of the Year at the LA Music Awards.

This success inspired me to produce my own album. To date, I’ve recorded seven major projects, many of them award-winning. Still driven to compose, I wrote, directed, and scored my own feature film (REDEMPTION), winning several film festivals and a Best Director award.

In 2019–2021, my company Bella Composers curated the first international women composers’ competition, Artemis Women Powered Music. Just last month, I was honored with Composer of the Year for my orchestral score VAMPIRE ODYSSEY.

And that’s how it all began!

Vogue Monaco: How did you start your Career & when did you start it?

My first commercial release was from ALL JAZZED UP! (2005) My single “Do You Remember?” topped AC40 and the independent charts.

Vogue Monaco: What or who was your inspiration to be in this field?

Kaylene Peoples: Barbra Streisand’s role in FUNNY GIRL and her powerful final performance of “My Man” inspired me to sing. I’ve always admired the artistry of Sade and Diana Krall, and I’m deeply influenced by Swing Out Sister, especially in terms of production.

For flute performance and improvisation, legends like Hubert Laws, Dave Valentin, and Herbie Mann motivated me to push my limits and excel. My love for film scoring was shaped by the captivating movies of Alfred Hitchcock and the brilliance of composer Bernard Herrmann. And of course, I can’t forget Dave Brubeck—I’ve always been a fan of his music!

Vogue Monaco: What gap are you trying to bring?

Kaylene Peoples: There’s nothing wrong with excelling in more than one discipline. The gap I’m trying to bridge is the expectation that people must choose just one path. My work—whether in music, performance, composing, or beyond—is about bringing excellence and a unique perspective to each endeavor. People should approach life with a spirit of innovation and a commitment to excellence in everything they do.

I always ask myself: How can I solve a problem? How can I bring joy? How can I move someone deeply? These questions are the foundation for filling voids, bridging gaps, and achieving meaningful artistic pursuits. But the key is this: Don’t do it for the money. Do it because you love it. Passion is what sustains you through the highs and lows. The money will come when you’re doing it for the right reasons—when your work is about service, not self-interest.

Kaylene Peoples: After all, that’s what artists truly are: servants of inspiration, emotion, and connection. We don’t just create; we heal, we uplift, and we remind people of what it means to feel alive. That’s the real art, and that’s the gap I strive to fill.

Vogue Monaco: What makes you unique?

Kaylene Peoples: What makes me unique is my ability to thrive in multiple disciplines while maintaining a spirit of excellence and authenticity. I’m not just a musician, composer, or performer—I’m someone who sees the threads that connect different art forms and brings them together to create something new and meaningful. I’m like a dog with a bone when I’m working on a project. I never give up. I’ll research, listen, hone, and tweak until I’m satisfied—and that’s a tall order, because I am very hard on myself. I’m not easily satisfied until I’ve crossed every “t” and dotted every “i.” Whether I’m writing music, crafting words, or performing, everything I create must move and inspire me. If it doesn’t, it’s not ready. My goal is always to bring out the best in myself and my work, and I hold myself to the highest standards. I think what truly sets me apart is that I never see limitations—only opportunities to innovate, inspire, improve, and stay true to my unique vision. And I’m always raising the bar, pushing myself to reach even greater heights with every project I take on.

Vogue Monaco: How do you decide on your projects?

Kaylene Peoples: When deciding on a project, I must first be 100% invested in it. I have to imagine it becoming a part of me. Let’s take music as an example. I always start with extensive research. If I’m working on an album, I immerse myself in the genre, listening to arrangements, vocal performances, and creative elements that are unique yet familiar enough to resonate with listeners. I then outline the “why, when, and how,” ensuring I have the resources and tools to bring the project to life. For me, musicians are everything, and as a purist, I always hire real musicians for my releases. When I recorded ALL JAZZED UP!, my jazz/Bossa Nova album, I listened to countless recordings of the same songs. My goal wasn’t to replicate or sound like anyone else—I wanted to make the arrangements distinctly my own. That process took months of research and careful decision-making.

With MY MAN, my second jazz project, I knew I had to raise the bar. I made a strategic decision to bring in musical all-stars—music royalty. This move challenged me to elevate not only the production but also my own performance.

Every project I take on is calculated and meticulously thought out, almost like a blueprint. I don’t stop and start once I commit—I see it through to completion. My decisions are driven by a combination of passion, preparation, and a clear vision of the final outcome.

Vogue Monaco: What motivates you the most?

Kaylene Peoples: What motivates me most is the way something makes me feel—especially when it comes to creating music. Listening to and discovering new or old music, and educating myself in the process, fuels my creativity. Whenever I learn something new, I challenge myself to incorporate it into my work in a meaningful way. I love discovering new artists, techniques, or perspectives. Watching great musicians, vocalists, and composers perform fills me with inspiration and a renewed drive to push my own boundaries.

Attending concerts, watching movies, or even going on walks can spark new ideas. I’m also deeply inspired by the fine art world—a beautiful painting can evoke emotions that lead me to compose. Taking time to “stop and smell the roses” is essential as a creative. It’s in those moments of reflection and appreciation that I find my greatest motivation.

Vogue Monaco: What does “success” mean to you?

Kaylene Peoples: This is a profound question. For much of my life, success meant recognition. Many people strive for success to be lauded, and in many ways, I’ve experienced that throughout my career. Money has also played a role in defining success. I often ask myself, “Am I reaping what I’ve sown?” I work hard, and it’s natural to want my efforts to translate into tangible rewards. After all, isn’t that what we’ve been conditioned to believe?

But over time, the meaning of success has deepened for me. Now, success can be as simple and profound as putting a smile on someone’s face with something I’ve created or seeing someone thrive because I mentored them or highlighted their accomplishments.

I don’t wait for applause anymore. As a magazine editor, I’ve learned to measure success differently. If there are no complaints, I know I’ve done something right. Success, to me, is about accomplishing something meaningful—not because of what others think, but because it feels right to me.

We are all on our own unique journey, and comparing our success to others can lead to disappointment or even derail us from our path. True success is finding fulfillment in what I do and knowing it has made a positive impact—whether that’s through my work, my art, or the lives I’ve touched. That’s the kind of success I strive for every day.

Vogue Monaco: Share a milestone that you have achieved.

Kaylene Peoples: This is a difficult question because I’ve had so many milestones in my life. When I reflect on my journey, I’d have to say that one of the most meaningful milestones has been overcoming adversity and rising above what felt like failure.

Early in my career, I was offered the chance to score a film. The director wanted me to write the music first so they could edit the movie to my score—this is a composer’s dream. This was an extraordinary opportunity. With a generous budget, I dove into the project, writing a score inspired by the storyline and the director’s vision. I recorded the music with a 32-piece orchestra and conducted the cues myself. Anything additional was recorded in smaller studios—and even in my own living room. The score was mastered by Bernie Grundman’s engineer, Brian Gardner. It was beautiful, and the team was thrilled with the result.

But then tragedy struck—the director passed away before he could edit the film. The project was shelved, and I felt like all the work had been for nothing. It was heartbreaking to think that such a significant part of my career would never see the light of day.

Fast forward to June 2024. While going through my archives, I found the master recording. With a mix of hope and fear, I played it. As the music filled the room, I held my breath. To my amazement, it had stood the test of time. A voice in my head, which I believe was God, urged me to release it. With some hesitation, I decided to honor the director and the production team by keeping the original title of the film: VAMPIRE ODYSSEY.

When I released the score, I didn’t know what to expect. But the response was overwhelming. It resonated with listeners in ways I couldn’t have imagined. And then, just last month, I received the 2024 Olympia Arts Award as Composer of the Year for that very score.

This milestone is deeply personal. Being a composer has always been an essential part of who I am, and as a woman, it carries even more weight. Women composers don’t always receive the recognition they deserve, and this award felt like a victory not just for me, but for every woman in the field.

VAMPIRE ODYSSEY taught me a profound lesson: when the time is right, nothing is wasted. What once felt like a failure turned into one of the proudest achievements of my life. For me, this milestone is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the lasting power of music to transcend time and loss.

Vogue Monaco: What are your future Projects?

Kaylene Peoples: ROMANTIC BOSSA-NOVA 2 is the sequel to my award-winning CD ROMANTIC BOSSA-NOVA, which features the legendary Bunny Brunel. The first project was primarily Jobim covers, along with an original song I wrote and dedicated to West Coast Jazz founder Dave Pell. ROMANTIC BOSSA-NOVA 2 will feature mostly original compositions, with a couple of covers. This sequel promises to be an evolved version, enhanced by a lush string orchestra.

DOPPELGANGER (Peoples Republic) is a “fusiony,” acid jazz/lounge project I’m producing that incorporates eclectic soundscapes and I’m introducing the vibraphone and a dj to the mix. It has a spy jazz vibe, and I’m incredibly excited about this project.

ACCIDENTAL SQUATTER is a feature film I wrote and directed (and will be scoring), starring and introducing actress Leigh Bush, alongside co-stars Chase Masterson (Leeta from Star Trek: Deep Space 9) and Ali Saam (ARGO). Currently in post-production, the film is scheduled for release in Summer 2025.

Closing Paragraph:

Kaylene Peoples’s story is not just about artistic achievements; it is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of art. Her journey reminds us that success is not solely defined by accolades or recognition but by the joy and impact one brings to others through their work. As she continues to raise the bar with projects like Romantic Bossa-Nova 2, Doppelganger, and her upcoming feature film Accidental Squatter, Kaylene inspires us to embrace life’s challenges and opportunities with authenticity and passion.

Through this interview, Vogue Monaco celebrates not just a Renaissance woman but a visionary who dares to redefine what it means to excel across disciplines—evidenced by her recent 2024 Olympia Arts Award: “Excellence in Multi-Genre Musical Innovation!”

Follow Kaylene’s journey on social media: Instagram.com/kaylenepeoples | FB: https://www.facebook.com/kaylenepeoples | X.com/boogseymusic