Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Hurst.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Singing was never a part of the plan… it just happened.
My passion for music and singing began at the age of of 13, I noticed speaking was a challenge for me. I realized that it took more effort for me to fully express myself than it did for others. Although my speech blocks were not evident to others, it was something that I had to cope with. The effort it took for me to verbally share my thoughts was taxing.
I did not realize the impact this invisible disfluency had on me until music entered my life. I was placed in choir to fulfill an elective requirement during my Junior year of high school as it was the only class open. I was not happy about this because I had no interest in singing. The high school choral teacher moved me from my elective choir class up to the advanced choir group that same week. This was an unforeseen event as singing was foreign to me. His belief in my ability to express myself through song was life-changing. Through choir, I began my journey of self-expression. Once I discovered that singing allowed me to be fluent, I began singing more frequently.
Singing has taught me many things throughout my life. Most importantly, the way others perceive individuals with differences before getting to know who they are.
Music is my passion..so come along and join me on my journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My speech disfluency was the main challenge that I faced when I was just starting in the music industry. I felt like I was vastly different than others due to my uncontrollable pausing and occasional stuttering when speaking, but whenever I stepped up to the mic, I was set free. Ultimately, I told myself that I needed to convert my challenge into my strength. Even if in my mind there weren’t a lot of others “similar to me,” I just had to be the first of me and carve my own path.
“I am not the next of them… I am the first of me..” -Hoobastank.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a singer/songwriter from Southern California. I have performed alongside The Filharmonic from NBC’s THE SING OFF on The Late Late Show with James Corden and on various cruise lines. I am a hockey fanatic who has had the honor of performing the U.S. National Anthem at Crypto.com Arena, (L.A. Kings) T-Mobile Arena, (Vegas Golden Knights) Gila River Arena, (Arizona Coyotes) and the Canadian Anthem for the AHL team, the Ontario Reign. I also wrote a song for ICE: The Movie which is now available on Amazon and have recorded an EP full of original songs called ‘Redline.’
Singing is my communication salvation. With each song that I sing, I feel fluent in that moment. Check out my song I’ve written about my personal journey with disfluency. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mmjeTMJw7g
I am most proud of simply being me and staying true to myself and my craft! I don’t like to follow what others do, I just enjoy creating my own path.
Any big plans?
My plan for the future is to perform more and inspire as many people as I can around the world! I am looking forward to every step in my journey with music.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thurstmusic.com
- Instagram: @taylorkhurst
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/taylor.k.hurst
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/taylorkhurst
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Dominic Dimalanta (Smiling headshot) Photo Credit: Amer Quilala (Main photo)
