Meet Michel’Le Baptiste

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michel’Le Baptiste.

Michel’Le, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in the Greater Houston area – MO City, to be specific!! At a very young age, I decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a drummer. Throughout my childhood, I received multiple awards for my work as a young musician including a Baylor College Musicianship Award, a University of Houston Outstanding Musician Award, a North Texas State Solo Award, and a Conrad Johnson Award. I‘m a proud alumna of Willowridge High School, class of 2008. I went to Texas Southern University for two years before transferring to Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition scholarship. In 2014, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Professional Music. My studies focused on film scoring, music therapy, and performance. After a year of working in Boston, I took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 2015. Over the past four years, I have been beyond blessed with opportunities straight from the Lord Himself! I’ve served as a drummer for Beyoncé, Fifth Harmony, Normani, Chloe x Halle, and more. Going forward, I want to continue to uplift my fellow female musicians. I wish to inspire others through my work and encourage them to take pride in their most authentic selves.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. I remember moving to LA and thinking “What the heck did I get myself into?” I experienced the usual troubles of adjusting to a new city. During my first year, I had gone through all of my savings and it was difficult trying to find a job. There were many auditions where I didn’t get booked. Not necessarily because of my talent, but because I didn’t have the “right look”. It was a struggle for me to stand firm in my beliefs and not fall into peer pressure, especially when it came to my faith. I came across people who really tried to discourage me. The reality is – we all have to go through challenges in order to come out greater on the other side of them. In every season, I am able to learn, grow, and mature. Now, I express myself more. I have become a better businesswoman, musician, and friend.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m starting a clothing line that will help fund a nonprofit organization for women internationally. I want to form a sisterhood that helps young women strive for their purpose. As women, we go through so much and we need to encourage our fellow sisters. We need to learn from their experiences! This organization will host clinics, panels, and workshops for women to find their voices in the entertainment industry. We want to bring awareness to the common issues we face and help find solutions that give women more autonomy and success. We will also assist in providing college scholarships for students in need.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Best – LA is so beautiful and diverse. The people born and raised here have been very supportive and they rep their city with pride.

Worst – It doesn’t rain as much as I’d like. Traffic is horrible. I miss my Southern food spots.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miche11_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelLe-Baptiste-159020441380921/

Image Credit:
Cody Burdette and Michael Corrado
Blair Caldwell

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