Jade’s hitting all the right notes!

By Gemma Good

A Bailieborough girl has stunned the community with her mesmerising voice after recording with The Ivory Sessions.

The Ivory Sessions is an initiative where artists join producer and arranger Mark Cahill from Crookedwood Studios.

They have introduced an U16 music programme, where up and coming stars have the opportunity to have their voice professionally recorded.

Jade Clinch (16) recorded James Arthur’s ‘Falling Like Stars’ in the studio in April. Mark was stunned by Jade’s voice, according to her mother Ciara Clinch.

Jade turned 16 on March 31. With lockdown, the Clinch family could not celebrate the day, therefore her mother and her grandmother decided to purchase her a present like no other - the opportunity to have her talent professionally recorded.

“I came across The Ivory Sessions by chance, it must have been fate or something,” said Jade’s mother Ciara.

Upon further research, Ciara discovered The Ivory Session's U16 programme and instantly thought of her daughter. “She was a bit dubious about it and very nervous,” recalled Ciara.

With the lockdown, Jade found herself with a lot of time on her hands and, after some encouragement, decided to record herself singing to post on Facebook.

Mark provided mentoring through Zoom. Jade also sent videos of herself singing and received feedback before making the trip to the Slane recording studio.

“It was a good experience and it gave me a bit of confidence,” said Jade, who has now set up her own Facebook Page, Jade Ellie Music.

She recalls the day she went to Crookedwood Studios.

“It was amazing,” she enthused.

She remembered being brought into a room “with a load of cameras”.

“I was really nervous,” she said.

“I’ve never been in a studio or anything like that.”

Mark said they would ‘just give it a shot’ the first time around, giving Jade the opportunity to warm up her voice.

“I sang it and then he said ‘oh god, I should have recorded it that time!’.”

“I only had to do it twice,” said a proud Jade.

Jade chose to sing James Arthur’s ‘Falling like Stars’ and explained the reasoning for her choice.

“I just think men’s songs suit me more than women’s and I really like James Arthur.

“He [Mark] said that one sounded better.”

Her other option was ‘Colour Blind’ from Glee.

The music video was first posted in May. Jade said everyone was “delighted” with it, mentioning her friends thought the video was “amazing.”

“They were really happy for me,” she said.

Asked if she would go to Crookedwood again, Jade instantly said she would.

Having grown up in a musical family, Jade said she found her niche for singing at a young age.

The singer said she “tried” but couldn’t learn how to play any instruments. Lucky for Jade, her voice compensates.

“I always grew up with singing,” she said, explaining she sang for charity when she was aged just eight or nine years.

“My mam was in the Hard Times Chorus so I went to a few of them practices and did two or three shows with them.

“Then there’s the folk choir in Bailieborough too,” she detailed her past experiences.

After singing at her communion and confirmation, Jade is no stranger to performing for a live audience.

As a fifth year student at Bailieborough Community School, she will be studying music for her Leaving Certificate.

The aspiring hairdresser said she would like to do “singing on the side” when she leaves school, revealing that she has some singing events coming up.

“Two people want me next year to do a wedding for them.”

She said this prospect is “nerve-wracking” but her previous experience will stand to her.

“It’s a bit daunting but, for my confirmation, I sang in front of a church full of people.

“I have done it before,” she said.

You can follow Jade’s musical journey on ‘Jade Ellie Music’ on Facebook. Her music video can be viewed here https://www.facebook.com/ theivorysessions/videos/ 275037097676016.