Persistence is a common theme with success in the music industry. And it doesn’t always translate to being successful in terms of fans, recognition and fame. For some people, it’s just about internally conquering fears and reaching goals and that’s all that matters. Teagan McLaren managed to climb her own ladder and has found that the biggest successes in her career have been connecting with her audiences. That is very satisfying for me to hear because the little wins add up to big ones and they end up helping you with your confidence and strength as an artist. Teagan plays with confidence and enjoys supportive crowds for her shows when at The Cove. See her in her element at The Cove Inn on Friday, April 4, 2025 (web link) and all Mondays in May from 5-8 pm (web link).

Seamus Cowan: Hearing about people succeeding with their own personal goals is always a very rewarding thing for me to witness. When would you say that your true trajectory of confidence start to happen?

Teagan McLaren: I would say the true trajectory of my confidence developed over a span of about 10 years. I wish I had started performing when I was a teenager, but I was a bit of a late bloomer because of my struggle with extreme stage fright. It was actually my friends from Westport who played a big role in encouraging me to get out there. They would host parties where we’d all bring guitars and sing. They were the ones who pushed me to share my songs with others. Over time, I gradually built my confidence just by continuing to perform. At first, I had trouble even speaking to an audience, writing post-it notes to remind myself of things to say. But fast forward to today and I’m completely comfortable on stage. I’ve found that I can just be myself in a very authentic way and I can only hope that my audience feels that connection.

Q: Performing music is so rewarding and exhilarating! It seems that you really cut your teeth by performing in a pretty high-pressure environment. Did all of that make you want to write and be on stage more?

Teagan: I would say that's accurate, especially when it comes to high-pressure environments like performing in front of an audience that is completely silent, listening to songs that are deeply personal to me. It feels incredibly vulnerable, much more so than playing at a restaurant or pub where people might talk while you're performing. But honestly, I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything. After every performance, I almost always leave the stage with some new inspiration for a song. There are also times when performing for a larger audience in a theater setting can be more challenging as it’s harder to gauge their reaction. But then people come up to me afterward saying things like “That song made me cry,” or “I really loved your show,” and even, “How are you not famous yet?” Those moments are such a powerful reminder that the impact of the performance isn’t always obvious in the moment.

Q: You have really enjoyed a concentration of milestone experiences over the last few years. From Billy Currington's "Billy Idol" competition to The Voice of the Rideau, what do you find you got most out of these performances and events?

Teagan: I’d say the biggest takeaway for me has been building confidence and overcoming stage fright. Performing at events like the Billy Idol Competition and the Voice of the Rideau competition gave me a chance to push myself in ways I hadn’t before. During the finals of the Voice of the Rideau, I performed my original song 'Will You Dance With Me,' and the pressure of competing, being critiqued and comparing myself to others was intense. However, the positive reactions I received helped me grow more comfortable with my voice and my presence on stage. Those reactions really helped me find my confidence as a performer.

Q: I really feel like writing tunes has really opened up your personality and confidence. What does an experience going to a place like Nashville do to that confidence and do you feel like it takes you somewhere beyond? Afterall, we are all searching for
a higher plane on which to create our art…right?

Teagan: Definitely! Nashville was an experience like no other. It really opened my eyes to the entire process of producing music and how you can take a simple idea, like a melody, lyrics and chords and elevate it into something entirely new. My producer John D. Willis was incredible throughout the whole process. I remember walking into the studio on the first day and he handed me a guitar and said, “Okay, play your first song.” As I played, he took notes, wrote charts and then immediately began layering the drums, bass and other instruments. Then he had me lay down a rough vocal and from there, he added more layers to bring the song to life. It was such an invaluable experience that gave me new insight into music production and I know it will benefit me as I move
into producing my own music at home.

Q: I know you are a busy person. You have a career in education. Do you incorporate any of your musicality into your teaching style? If so, do you feel music helps to allow the learner the ability to connect with and provide an alternate way to understand
the content?

Teagan: Absolutely! I’ve always believed that music plays a transformative role in learning. In my Grade 1 and 2 classrooms in particular, I often integrate songs and rhythms to enhance language acquisition. Music has a unique ability to resonate with students, engaging them in ways that traditional methods sometimes can’t. I've noticed that it helps students connect with the material on a deeper level, making the content not only more accessible but also more enjoyable for them. I often hear from parents, “My daughter came home singing that song you taught in class,” which really reinforces the impact of music in reinforcing what they’ve learned and making it stick! Posted: Mar 31, 2025