Gregory Charles Living a Harmonious Life

The name “Gregory Charles” definitely conjures up melodies and good times. Of the entire Quebec art scene, few can claim to be as versatile as he is, nor show as much energy and passion as he does.

We sat down with this music lover who lives life to the fullest!

Learning to Listen

Looking back on our own history means taking note of all that we’ve accomplished. For me, the most important part of my life—what has truly helped me grow—hasn’t so much been my adult life, but my childhood, during which I received my musical training. Everything I’ve done, my entire career in the artistic field, directly results from that time of my life.

I’m very fortunate to have been able to take part in so many projects and I’m blessed to be able to keep going strong after so many years. All these past events, and even other experiences to come, are larger than life and allow me to dream big. But the most important part remains the foundation of it all.

I come from a very musical family. My mother was my teacher, and she didn’t teach me music in a conventional or standard way. She made me play by ear and by instinct. Her motto was “Listen, and then learn, learn, learn!” This philosophy served me well for all the other subjects I studied, such as law, history, Latin, and so on. I listened carefully and, because of that, have gained so much knowledge.

All Roads Lead to Knowledge

The paths I have taken have allowed me to immerse myself in a number of different environments and explore a range of fields. But two themes run through all my experiences: entertainment and education. My mother used to say, “There’s a very clear relationship between knowledge and power.” It’s imperative to make the connection between these two notions, as they are intimately linked and grow together. Our skills are limited by the extent of our knowledge.

I try to apply this mindset to everything I do. On the radio or TV programs I’ve participated in, I’ve always tried to promote knowledge, to teach things. Even in my live performances, I interact directly with the audience by involving them in the creative process. The audience actually chooses the songs I perform throughout the evening. By listening to them, I keep them interested in hearing the rest of the show.

Living in the Moment

At home, we always dove headfirst into everything. I’ve learned to live each day to the fullest, take advantage of every opportunity, and face any challenges that arise head-on. Failures are part of our success; they are the milestones, the steps that lead us to succeed. And we need all those steps to get to the top!

I created Gregory’s Academy, my online piano school, to encourage people who want to learn the piano to go ahead and try. With a little perseverance and regular practice, everyone can succeed. But you can’t just play every so often—it should be every day, for at least 10 minutes. As with any discipline, you need to build your momentum and maintain a certain pace to achieve your goals.

I’m often asked if some people are better at learning music than others, if some have a more musical ear. The answer is yes! For some people, understanding and mastering things like chord progressions and melodies comes easily. It’s a bit like with temperature: some people are very sensitive to temperature changes and can tell the difference between a few degrees, while others will only notice the difference if someone points it out.

Regardless of age, personality type, areas of interest, or personal experiences, my advice to those who want to learn a musical instrument is simple: play! Choose an instrument you like and go ahead. Don’t hesitate, just play! You might see results much sooner than you think!

— Gregory Charles

A big thank you to Gregory Charles for this inspiring interview that encourages us to live in the moment and welcome everything life has to offer, with all our senses.

Anne Dauphinais Editor and Communications Advisor

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