Michele Henderson. Know her name.

Hello readers.

Infinite blessings and love to you all. I am excited to share this next blog.

This is someone that I felt a strange sweetness about having the opportunity to interview. I grew up hearing the name and when I got into singing myself, I marveled at the fact that I was gracing stages that she had been on. I then began to work with her! It was like seeing and eventually working with a living legend. Her music sets started my journey of appreciation for music genres like zouk, cadence, cadence-lypso etc. She is fluent in English, French, Creole and I’m sure a few that I don’t know about.

She is a wife, mother, a decorated and rewarded singer-songwriter, performer, recording artist, excellent flutist, and probably an alien because she does not age! From what she lets on, on social media, I’ve seen snippets of farming, and the play-by-play on tennis and cricket matches (lol).

I saw Chick Corea live thanks to her when I was invited to perform at one concert aboard the Free Winds Cruise Ship. When I delved into my solo career, whenever I would travel to the french islands to perform, I would always be asked ” Do you know Michele Henderson?” and I’d let my pictures and videos do the talking! She is truly respected. Her personality on stage coupled with her voice keeps you enthralled throughout her performance, but getting to know her as a person is a whole other journey. She recently graced the Jazz stages both in Dominica and St. Lucia and the reviews were raving.

It was an absolute pleasure to interview Michele, and now to share with you. This blog interview, to which she readily agreed and promptly engaged in, was and will always be treasured by me. Do Enjoy.

• Thank you for agreeing to this interview. It’s a special one for me. May you please introduce yourself and/or your profession for those who may not know who you are?

My name is Michele C Henderson Delsol.  I am a singer and songwriter from Dominica and Goodwill Ambassador to the Island.

• How has your musical journey been?

It’s actually been fun; challenging at times but I have enjoyed the journey.  Glad that I can continue doing what I love.

• Let me just add here that I have seen her face some crazy challenges on live stage, mics hot, during a show and handle it with something I did not understand at the time. I was a lot younger and would be upset while she was chilled. I remember her saying ” There was a problem on stage yes, and the options were to let it ruin the show, or tend to it in the most professional way. Look now, It’s over. It’s better to move along”. With grace and growth, I too learned to handle difficulties, be it equipment or people, in a much more effective manner.

• Random number one. Favourite colour and why.

Colour: Red! It’s just loud and bold. Can’t miss it!

• Being from this tiny island, I assume that you were raised to be of a certain religion. With your world travels and undoubtedly lessons and experiences, has that changed?

I was raised a devout Christian yes.  Whereas I don’t particularly subscribe to strict Christian doctrine, there are some tenets I have maintained throughout my life.  However, my views on religion have certainly changed over time.

• Do you thank a higher power for your success?

Is that a trick question? Haha. Yes and no.  I am aware that a higher state of spiritual existence is possible for everyone; and that spiritual power is in me and is me; we are one and the same. I liken the existence of a Supreme Being to the collective functioning of all of us spiritual beings on this planet and beyond. And so, I acknowledge the existence of such a power, but I do not detach myself as being separate from it.

• Interjecting here again. I read the above response so many times. Now, at my level of understanding, I am realizing that this woman has been so far ahead spiritually for a very long time. No wonder she could keep such composure in the face of troubles. It is for sure a deeper understanding.

• Though there is a slow change, Spirituality is not widely accepted on the island, and even in the Caribbean region (Openly anyway). Were you afraid or doubtful to let the public know where you stand?

At first, I was shy about having a different point of view on religion, but as I grew in knowledge, I realized that it was only because I was not spiritually mature enough to stand in my truth.  The more I studied about mankind and his spiritual nature, the more confident I became. Eventually, I came into my own and made no apologies for thinking the way that I did.  It was quite liberating.

• Random number two. What’s your favourite place and why?

Pedi Temps. That is up on the mountains just between Grand Bay and Pichelin. It is only accessible by a 1 hour hike across a few rivers. It’s my fav place because it is quiet and pristine. Beautifully kept grounds and gardens, fresh water source running near by. No modern amenities. Cousin and family still live there off grid. Just the simple life.

Pedi temps by the way, is creole for “Lose time” or “To Lose Time.” The description of the place sure has me wanting to lose a few hours there myself. Bookings available? 😀

• How do your close friends and family feel about your choice of belief, and has it affected business for you?

I did get some pushback from some friends and family in the beginning, but I am fortunate in that I have the support of my friends and family today.  I don’t think it has affected business for me to be honest.  It’s not something I flout so it does not usually come up. 

• Are you currently, or have you encountered any problems that are possibly unique to your spirituality?

The only problems I have come across are incidences where people have completely false information about my beliefs and people who think like me.  I tend not to make a big deal out of it as I try not to flow energy towards negativity and false information.  I don’t give life to such things.

• Before you became who you are today, what were your views on the spiritual beliefs that you now hold?

I did not have many views on anything outside of Christianity except to think that they were not real.  All I knew was what I had been taught.  I grew up to learn that what I knew was just the tip of the iceberg and that there were copious amounts of data on spirituality that had been hidden from me. I came to realize that there was a long journey to truth/self that needed to be taken.

• Random number three. If Michele wasn’t a singer, what would she be?

I would be a lawyer. I have a passion for helping people overcome injustice.

Now I know that I asked quite a few questions on her spiritual beliefs during this interview, and it’s simply because she was one of the first to openly and publicly say that she and energy based being, and is not bound to religion as we are expected to be on this island, and many others. When I began my spiritual journey, she immediately came to mind. I understood that my lack of travel and discovery kept me in a box. I had to later deal with people from all walks of life being an entertainer and with my spiritual journey budding, I dared not discriminate. Instead, I had to open my heart to them as they did to me and my music. Some of the kindest people I know are atheists. Others belong to the LGBTQAI+ community. Some choose science over religion. Who am I, who are we to judge?

• Have you ever studied spirituality in anyway? If yes how did that help?

I have done quite a bit of study on the mind, body and spirit.  I have discovered that spirituality, senior to mind and body, can direct the individual’s path in life. Being able to be in tune with your true spiritual self is the greatest superpower one can possess. It has helped me overcome many seemingly insurmountable obstacles and has granted me a freedom I never imagined was possible.

1. Is there any aspect to your belief you are particularly proud of? why?

I am proud of the fact that I am who I am with no apologies.  I am true to myself. While I am still a work in progress, I like the person I have become, a lot more than the person I was. 

1. Describe your life in three words.

Genuinely at peace!

My dear readers, I hope that you enjoyed reading this as much as I did putting it together. Blessings, love and awakening to all.