Jeanine Mackie, Professional Singer

 Jeanine Mackie

Professional Singer
 
“I have built a viable singing career while changing diapers, making meatballs and trying to give my family all the love and attention they deserve.”
 
Jeanine’s story is inspiring to mothers everywhere for so many reasons. Not only did she rediscover her passion for singing, but she found the courage to follow her dream of becoming a professional singer while being a mom. We all have these secret dreams that we hold inside our hearts and think “this would have been nice” but most of us write them off for another lifetime. Jeanine didn’t. She decided to go for it and bring her family along for the ride (even if she had no clue what kind of ride it would be…). Read below to see how she made it happen…
 
MOF: When did you discover your passion for singing?
 
Jeanine: I have always known. I remember being 4 years old standing beside my grandmother at the piano practicing hymns. My grandmother directed the church choir. I would stand up in the front row and sing my heart out. I loved it. It was tremendously exciting. I always hoped that someone would notice my passion (and hopefully my talent) for singing. I sang for years while I did the supper dishes, really loud, but nobody noticed. I joined every school choir and one day in grade 7 my music teacher, Mrs. Self, walked down the line listening carefully to each of us as we sang a vocal ease. When she passed by me she stopped and came back and stood in front of me and pointed her finger at me and said “You’ve really got something special there”. That was it. My passion was validated. I wasn’t crazy; I really did have a voice. 
 
I sometimes wonder if Mrs. Self is still with us. It would be lovely to find her and tell her how powerful her words were that day. Maybe she had no idea but then again, maybe she knew exactly what I needed. I will be forever grateful.
 
MOF: What inspired you to start singing again and make it a career?
 
Jeanine: I had separated from my first husband in the U.S. and moved back to Canada with my young daughter. Singing was not an option during this period in my life. As a single mother I had to work to earn a living to support myself and my daughter. I started as a production assistant in a commercial production company. After 9 years in the film business I had earned the title ‘Executive Producer’ at a very successful film company. I was running the company and making a very high salary. I was also stressed out and feeling as though something important was missing in my life. From the outside looking in I had it all – a beautiful daughter, a loving partner and a great career.   What I realized is that what was missing was the passion.
 
The defining moment when I decided to pay attention to my passion (by now, a raging fire) came one day while I was talking to the ever-so-wise and wonderful Lisa Garber, my life coach. We had worked through some issues and I was feeling fairly stable and secure – but still something was missing. Lisa asked a simple question, “What is it that you’ve always wanted to do?” The answer came fast, “I’ve always wanted to be a singer”. The next thing Lisa said to me is the answer to the opening question; what inspired me to start singing again and make it a career? She simply asked; “Why not? Let’s think of things you can do to make this happen.” 
 
By removing the doubt Lisa allowed me to see that my dream was indeed possible. This may seem like a minor event of little importance but for me it was a huge realization. My perspective shifted and from that moment on, everything seemed possible.
 
 MOF: How did you make it work with your family?
 
Jeanine: Let’s just say that I don’t get much sleep! I was fortunate to marry my loving partner and have 2 beautiful boys. Life is definitely busy.
 
I have been blessed with a husband that has always been supportive. Even when he was feeling neglected, he never asked me to quit. And believe me; we went through some very difficult times. I also have a wonderful mother and sister and a very supportive circle of friends. I made a pact with myself that I would never let the family or the household suffer because of my ‘passion pursuit’. Obviously this was easier said than done and there were many times when I felt less than a perfect wife and mother. The thing is though, I am happy. I am energized and I think that has a positive effect on all of us. The kids know that mom is doing what she loves and they support it. Somehow I’ve managed to do it. I have built a viable singing career while changing diapers, making meatballs and trying to give my family all the love and attention they deserve. It’s been daunting at times and I’m pretty much always exhausted – but I’m happy.
 
As I read through my response to this question it occurred to me that I might sound slightly negative. I considered revising what I had written to brighten it up and give it a more positive spin. After a great deal of thought I decided to leave it as is. It is the absolute truth. It is my experience. Rather than change anything I thought I would try and explain the joy I feel when I perform. The reason I do what I do.
 
Here it is. All the hard work and lack of sleep is forgotten when I’m on that stage. All I ever wanted was to perform with wonderful musicians and be able to connect with my audience and make them ‘Feel’ – I want to move people with my music. I am proud to say that I now perform with some of the best musicians in Canada. I live for those performances when the band lifts off and the audience comes along with us and allows themselves to get lost in the song. It’s a magical experience. These moments make it all worthwhile. I am a professional singer and I love what I do.
 
 
MOF: What was your biggest obstacle?
 
Jeanine: I would have to say that my biggest obstacle was my own mind. It’s a wonderful thing to pursue our dreams. I am constantly encouraging women to follow their passion and not lose themselves as they raise their family. That we as women, wives and mothers….we really can have it all. As my career started to gather steam and other people started to get involved and invested in my dream, there were times when life felt very unbalanced. I found myself feeling very guilty for being away from my kids and my husband. It’s been a constant struggle to pursue a career in music and take care of my family. I’m willing to take on the challenges and work hard to keep everyone happy but I admit it’s very difficult at times. I expect this will continue to be a struggle. I try and make ‘dates’ with my daughter who is now 24. We love to spend time together and it’s not always easy to break away and find time for just the two of us.
 
I thought that as my boys got older things would get easier but this isn’t the case at all. The older the boys get, the more attention they need. All my kids need my time. It warms my heart to know that they want to spend time with their mom. I need to make time to listen. I consider it a top priority to stay connected to my family on every level. I struggle every day with the balancing act that has become my life. The thing is though…..I wouldn’t change a thing. I am a wife and a mother and a singer. My biggest obstacle was allowing myself to accept that it is okay to be all these things. Not only is it okay, it is how it’s supposed to be. I truly believe that.
 
MOF: What did you learn?
 
Jeanine: I have learned so many things along the way. I have learned that when we are following our passion and doing what the world intended us to do, life seems to ‘open up’ and take on a beautiful forward motion. When we are moving in the right direction spiritually and creatively, opportunities seem to pop up everywhere! We become full of positive energy and an inner joy that feels wonderful. I have personally experienced this and I know it to be true. I’m not saying it doesn’t take a great deal of time, commitment and hard work – it does. But if we do what we love, the journey is a pleasure.
 
I have also learned that the most important thing in our lives is our relationships. At the end of the day, what else do we have but the relationships that we have invested in and nurtured?
 
What I have learned is that...
 
I feel completely blessed to have such loving friends & family.
I try to be grateful each and every day for what I have.
If we dare to dream and give it everything we’ve got – everything is possible.