Alex Taylor and Riley Coombes-Lush of Mount Pearl are rising stars who impressed the judges at the Kiwanis Music Festival last week. Both profess a love of folk music, and the storytelling found therein. Submitted photo
By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl had a strong showing at the 2024 Kiwanis Music Festival in St. John’s last weekend, with two youths from the city landing in top spots.
Fifteen-year-old Mount Pearl Senior High student Alex Taylor nabbed the top spot for the Traditional Folk - Solo category for his vocal rendition of “On the Water” by Newfoundland artist Anne Devine.
Taylor was drawn to the sentimentality in the lyrics of the song, thinking it would be a perfect contribution to the festival.
Devine even made an appearance for the performance, and praised the young musician afterward.
“It was an honor to sing her own song for her,” Taylor said. “I was told she was tearing up a bit… she got a bit emotional, and she thought I did really well.”
The Mount Pearl youth is no stranger to Kiwanis, having been performing at the festival since the age of seven. He came first in the category last year and placed 2nd and 3rd in previous years as well.
Taylor is ever mindful about the stories being told in the music he sings, and feels an improvement in this aspect, as well as vocal projection, since his last Kiwanis win.
“I try to become the character,” he said. “You can understand the story almost as if you’re listening to the actual author.”
Although the original piece was written for guitar, Taylor was accompanied by expert pianist Bill Brennan.
Taylor credited the efforts of his voice teacher, Angela Warren, for getting him ready for his winning performance.
“She’s a really great teacher and she well prepared me for it,” he said. “I’m glad she’s my teacher… and I’m also glad that I practiced it.”
Late last year, Taylor was awarded an Impact in Music, Arts and Culture Award from the City of Mount Pearl, capping off a busy year of performances and charity work.
He’ll be continuing on playing traditional Irish and Newfoundland music, and can be seen at Rocket Bakery every Sunday afternoon in Centennial Square.
“I love Irish music and traditional music,” he said. “There’s just something about the Newfoundland music that speaks to me.”
Riley Coombes-Lush, another burgeoning young musician from Mount Pearl, slid into second place behind her Mount Pearl Senior High schoolmate.
She performed The Punters’ version of “Candlelight and Wine”, which was originally recorded by local legends Ryan’s Fancy.
Coombes-Lush’s music teacher Justin Goulding suggested and accompanied her on the song, knowing how well she would identify with the message behind the music.
“We both felt that the song would be perfect because of how I could connect so well with what they were saying,” she said.
Now at the age of 15, Coombes-Lush has participated in Kiwanis since she was 10. She credits her experience in the festival for honing her performance, and for introducing her to new people in the business.
“The adjudicators they bring are really skilled and know what they’re talking about. They give really good feedback,” she said.
Like Taylor, the storytelling of folk music draws her into the genre.
“I really like folk because I love the aspect of being able to tell that story and being able to connect with a song,” she said.
In addition to the earnestness of folk music, she’s also experienced with the extravagance of musical theatre, having been involved with productions including Descendants the Musical, Matilda, and even an Etcetera production in Rochester, New York.
“I would really just love to pursue a career in music in the future, and even go to London and perform in the west end if I can,” she said.
