Karyn Roy Smith's Early Trials
Independant Christian Musician Talks About Life Experiences
Karyn Roy Smith, an independent Christian musician, talks about the early experiences and trials and tribulations on the path to her release of When the Stars Come Out.
Karyn Roy Smith recently released her debut album, When the Stars Come Out. It is a bold, intimate set of songs that explores many depths of her relationship with God. As interesting as this album is, the journey Smith has taken to get here is even more fascinating. Suite 101 spoke with Smith about her past, her love for music, and her life’s experiences.
Young Love for Music
Smith traces her love for music back to early childhood. It all started when her mother took her to choir practice at church. Smith says, “They were doing The Messiah one year and my mom took me to choir practice with her. I don’t know, it was like fifth grade and I fell in love with music right at that point. I probably always loved it, but I developed an emotional soul tie to that.”
Throughout junior-high, Smith did what most girls do when they love singing. She sang in the choir at school and continued to devour music. Unfortunately an experience in high school led her away from her passion.
No High School Musical
In high school Smith proceeded to feed the fire in her heart, but it was there that she was burned. Issues arose with the choir director, who happened to be gay. He made off-color remarks about guys in the class and Smith was a little scared of him. He did see her potential though.
It was his desire to see her in one of his programs that brought the situation to a head. Smith says, “But one day in the middle of class he said, I can fail you if you don’t do whatever it was, in front of everyone. Since I was a wall flower, I withered and that was the end of my career. I dropped the class and I left music and I didn’t pursue music.”
College and Beyond
When the time for college rolled around, Smith did toy with the idea of picking back up the torch that was nearly extinguished in high school. In her heart, she wanted a degree in music. So she took some classes. Then someone come in and influenced her to change her course and go the safe route.
Smith’s father was very education orientated and he frowned upon the decision to get a degree in music. So she got a degree in linguistics with a minor in English as a second language. While this might have been more stable, her heart was not in it.
Smith tells us, “Subsequently I ended up hating all of it. I started a teaching program, but I never finished the program even though I got all of my degrees. I did do some interning and taught some kids from Brazil some English, and tutoring, and I worked at an elementary school for a semester. You know my heart and my passion was always with music.”
Karyn Roy Smith Part Two: Karyn talks about how she learned to write songs
Karyn Roy Smith Part Three: Karyn Starts Her Musical Journey
Karyn Roy Smith Part Four: Karyn is Inspired by Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos
Karyn Roy Smith Part Five: Karyn Hears From God
Karyn Roy Smith Part Six: Karyn Hears a Prophecy About Her Future
