On a summer day in Edmonton, I was sitting on my back porch strumming my guitar and singing in a low, shy voice. This was early in my guitar-playing days, and I was still trying to get the hang of playing and singing at the same time. I was getting close. I could feel the rhythm of the guitar underneath the melody of the song. The melody was deep in my chest, and I had this feeling that just beyond, a bolder version of the song was within my reach. With no one listening, or so I thought, I let go of my inhibitions and reached for Hallelujah.

Like a lot of kids, I’m sure, I had my first exposure to the song in the beloved DreamWorks movie, ‘Shrek.’ Shrek is a great movie for a lot of reasons. I think the way that Shrek changes throughout the movie is so relatable. In the beginning, Shrek is happy in his solitude and his routine, but he grows to be brave and vulnerable. His ‘layers’ fall away and leave him open to love and growth.

I surprised myself that day on the porch. Like Shrek, I found the courage to lose my layers and take a leap. I found a voice that I didn’t know I had. All of a sudden there it was and I wanted to use it all the time. Though, it would take me weeks of practice on my own before I had the courage to perform in front of others, even my family. Lo, it has been almost ten years since I first discovered my voice, and although the process of growth is ongoing, I do feel ready to share my voice with the world.

As the first song that I really learned how to sing, Hallelujah holds a special significance for me above all other songs. It has come to represent my growth as a singer. It is my origin story and the goal that I am constantly striving to reach, because even after singing this song for years, I am still reaching for the boldest, most vulnerable version of the song. I hope that I sing this song a million times, and I hope that no two are the same, and that all are equally meaningful as the first time.

When COVID changed all our lives recently, I took the opportunity to put a lot of work into my voice. I’m thrilled to share this cover of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. It has been a long time coming, but I feel that I’m ready to take this next leap, just as I was that day on the porch. All those years ago, I found my voice. Today, I share it with you.