Published on 3 December 2025
La Slague is proud to present Darlene Ya, one of the artists selected for the 2025-2026 artist residencies. Darlene is a close collaborator of La Slague, a regular audience member, an active member of the artistic and cultural community, and even a host of one of our shows in the Au bistro des découvertes ! series during season 2.
As part of the residency, each artist was invited to present a preview of their project to an audience of about 20 people in order to gather constructive and positive feedback before the presentation at our second mid-season launch. Next year, the residents will present their grand finale, the complete version of their works.
We asked Darlene a series of questions to better understand her background and artistic approach.
1/ What motivated you to apply for la Slague’s artist residency this year, and how did you feel when you heard you had been selected?
“At first, the call for applications caught my attention, but I wasn’t sure I could apply because I’m Anglophone. I’m certainly Francophile, but not Francophone. After discussing it with Joëlle Villeneuve, manager of La Slague, she encouraged me to give it a try, and here I am!
When I heard I had been selected, I felt great joy, as well as renewed motivation and ambition to develop a new project. Working alone can sometimes dampen my motivation, so collaborating with La Slague provides me with a stimulating and nurturing environment for creating music.
I am very grateful to be part of a cohort of artists and to have the opportunity to share my art at Place des Arts. The energy and support I find there are invaluable to me. I love being part of this collective curiosity that pushes us to discover new talent.”
2/ How would you describe Dan Bédard’s contribution as artistic director and mentor to your project?
“The knowledge and support of Dan Bédard, as well as my mentor Peter Cliche, help me enormously. On my own, it’s more difficult to explore and understand certain technical aspects. The equipment I want to use is completely outside my realm, but thanks to them, I receive solid support and learn the best practices for using it.”
3/ What do you hope the audience will feel when they discover your project at the end of the residency?
“I would like the audience to sing along with me during the final performance. My works are wordless and highly interactive. That’s why I want people to participate: we forget the words, we use sounds, and we share the experience together. Anyone can participate! Some people think that singing should be reserved for professionals, but in reality, everyone sings: to comfort children, to celebrate a birthday… Singing isn’t just for experts, it belongs to everyone.”
4/ How do you perceive the Franco-Ontarian music scene today?
“I find that Francophone culture retains a great creative vitality. It’s bursting with culture and energy, and that’s what attracts me. I’m very inspired by several Francophone artists, including Mehdi Cayenne, who really amazed me during his last appearance at La Slague.
At Place des Arts, when an artist shares their energy, the audience responds with equal energy. This reciprocation is inspiring.”
5/ What do you hope to learn during your artist residency?
“I would like to develop my skills. I want to understand the console, what each button does, the timing, the technique behind it all, so that I can create the music I have in my head. In short, I would like to take my skills to the next level, both technically and creatively.”
6/ What was your first contact with music? And when did you realize that music was not just a passion, but something you wanted to pursue seriously?
“At the age of 7, I was in love with an older boy, an unrequited love. That experience inspired me to write my first song, which was only four verses long. It wasn’t until I was 22 that I really started pursuing music.
What started as a passion became my career, and 30 years later, I’m still at it! Back then, in London, ON, I was playing in a band, but I eventually realized that if I didn’t leave town, I wouldn’t be able to continue to grow and progress.
I bought a motorcycle and traveled for 25 years! Music became my passport around the world. Between the streets, festivals, and bars, I was able to connect with people, make friends, and have incredible experiences.”
7/ What is your biggest dream related to music?
“One of my dreams is that my voice gives people the strength to speak up. I want them to experience singing, to understand that singing is a right, a free and wonderful vitamin. I want to show that everyone can sing, create sounds, vibrate and participate.
For me, that’s the most beautiful place for art: like a chef who wants to feed people.”
Follow Darlene on her socials!
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