Maggie Cameron
A&E reporter

Humber grad Emilie-Claire Barlow’s album, The Very Thought of You, is nominated for vocal jazz at this year’s Juno Awards.
The Toronto-raised star said she always knew she wanted to be a musician, but it was her time at Humber that taught her what she needed to learn in order to succeed.

(Courtesy) Canadian jazz singer and voice actress Emilie-Claire Barlow.

“I wanted to learn theory and arranging so that I could impart my ideas in my head, to the musicians I was working with,” she said.
Barlow began her career at a young age, lending her voice to multiple voice-overs, radio jingles and television commercials.
She formed her first jazz quartet in her last year of high school and in 1996 she became a Humber student.
Barlow started her studies in vocal jazz and then moved onto theory and arranging.
She recalls one of her instructors, Shelly Berger, encouraging her  to get out beyond the classroom.
“He could start every class by asking who has got gigs. You can learn things in the classroom, but it’s nothing like being out there doing gigs,” said Barlow.
Berger said his former student is exceptional.
“Her success is great, for sure,” he said. “She’s successful because she’s smart and she works hard and she’s talented.”
Barlow is working on a record scheduled to be released in October.
Fourth-year jazz student Nathan Dell-Vandenberg said hearing about the success of former Humber students, like Barlow, is encouraging.
“It makes me a little hopeful that someday I’ll make it in the jazz business,” he said.
Barlow urges Humber music students to “get out there and hustle and get some gigs. Start playing and keep playing.”