Richards Bay songbird makes mark in music industry
The former Bay beauty relocated to Gauteng in 2006 to follow her passion for singing and song writing after a stint at studying psychology left her bored and uninspired.
LEAVING Richards Bay for the bright city lights to pursue a career in the music industry, singer Leote Taylor is living her dream of performing on both the local and international stages.
Heading up her own production company ‘LZ Productions’ and recording label ‘LR Records’, Taylor, who is now based in Pretoria, is working on her debut album, expanding her brand into songwriting and has been offered a management and recording contract on her recent trip to New York.
The former Bay beauty relocated to Gauteng in 2006 to follow her passion for singing and song writing after a stint at studying psychology left her bored and uninspired.
From a young age Taylor fondly remembers being drawn to the music of Whitney Houston, but with her family placing a strong emphasis on education first, she only turned to music full–time after matriculating.
She took a leap of faith and perseverance and enrolled in the MC Arts Academy in 2007 and majored in violin, vocals, music theory, acting and performance.
‘I joined the Barnyard Theatre group and was discovered by an agent during the 2010 World Cup and offered a contract to perform internationally.
‘Being scouted to join an international performance agency was certainly my big break and during my recent visit to New York, I was again well received.
‘I have travelled extensively both locally and abroad, opened for Jonathan Butler on his South Africa tour and have a performance residency at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria, where I have met and performed for many international dignitaries.
‘Another highlight was performing at the inaugural ‘Ubuntu Awards’ in Cape Town and for our President and ministers and sharing the stage with artists such as Mafikizolo and Sipho’Hotstix’ Mabuse.’
Taylor has a passion for young people and visited Empangeni in February to participate in a gala dinner fund-raiser for Richem Secondary School.
This month the young artist will graduate from the Tshwane University of Technology where she has been studying musical theatre.
