Well, my year ended with a bang. Appearing on the cover of Vogue Monaco was definitely the highlight, closing out a year filled with recognition and awards. Not many people can say they’ve been featured on seven magazine covers in the span of just four months! I’m thrilled to be on the December 2024 cover of Vogue Monaco. This feature is pivotal because it chronicles my career journey—from pageants, modeling, composing, and filmmaking to my rise as an internationally recognized recording artist. Every step of this journey has been navigated independently, through my own label and production company. There’s a story waiting to be told, and I fully intend to share it with the world when the time is right.
I do have a musical play in the works based on my Peoples Republic release A New Rite of Passage. But more on that in a future post.
So, what makes my Vogue Monaco feature so special? It’s an honest, revealing exploration of my career journey. Here’s the opening question. Be sure to hop over to their website to read the rest:
“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.” – Vogue Monaco
Kaylene Peoples, Inside Vogue Monaco’s December 2024 Issue.
Vogue Monaco: How did you start your career?
Kaylene Peoples:
That’s a tricky question. If you’ve read my interviews, you’ll know I’m often referred to as a Renaissance woman. Almost every publication that has featured me—even on their covers—has given me this title. The first to do so was Apparel News. Their editor attended one of my concerts at the House of Blues on Sunset in Hollywood, where I performed wearing an Octavio Carlin gown. (If you’re wondering why a fashion trade magazine covered a jazz and Bossa Nova concert, it’s because I’m the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Agenda, a fashion and lifestyle magazine, which piqued their interest.) I’ll do my best to answer this question clearly and straightforwardly.
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 began classical flute training at the age of nine, inspired by watching my sister perform in a band concert. Practicing three to five hours daily, I discovered jazz at 11 and became obsessed with artists like Hubert Laws and Dave Valentin, memorizing their solos.
At 16, I entered my first beauty pageant, Miss Junior Miss. I performed a Dave Valentin piece, winning the talent portion, but I lacked poise and confidence—too lanky, 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. At the Miss California America pageant, I performed a self-arranged orchestral medley of Flight of the Bumblebee and the William Tell Overture on flute and piano. Though I didn’t win, the experience honed my skills as a performer.
Later, I entered Miss California Young Miss and competed against 1,000 girls, winning by singing New York, New York. I also won Miss Golden State—two major victories at once!
While attending UCLA, I sang Vision of Love by Mariah Carey at a karaoke bar, which caught the attention of an agent. This led to a Southeast Asian tour, where I performed as the female lead vocalist in a Top 40 band, covering artists like Jody Watley, Anita Baker, Sade, and Whitney Houston.
Upon my return, a producer asked me to arrange a song for a newly signed Capitol Records artist, leading to years of work as an arranger and conductor for major labels like Capitol, Warner Bros., and Universal Republic. During this time, I also apprenticed with a renowned composer, ghostwriting for major TV shows and orchestrating a blockbuster film—though I was denied payment and credit. Frustrated, I transitioned from composing to performing.
I became a runway and editorial model, signed with LA Models, and appeared in commercials, even starring in a Dove commercial. Despite my success, I craved more meaningful artistic pursuits. I wrote and conducted music for a Canadian dance company, including a ballet titled Apocaliptica, and produced an album for a singer that won Best Artist of the Year and Best R&B Album of the Year at the LA Music Awards.
This inspired me to produce my own music. To date, I’ve recorded seven major projects, many of them award-winning. I also wrote, directed, and scored my feature film Redemption, which won several film festival awards, including Best First Time Director.
Between 2019–2021, my company Bella Composers curated the first international women composers’ competition, Artemis Women Powered Music. Most recently, I was honored with Composer of the Year for my orchestral score Vampire Odyssey.
And that’s how it all began!
You’ll have to read the rest of the interview to truly grasp the scope of my career. Thank you, Vogue Monaco, for this incredible exposure and for the honor of gracing your cover.
Read the entire interview: https://voguemonaco.com/kaylene-peoples-a-renaissance-woman-redefining-excellence/
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