Krystle Dos Santos

February's global theme is the Spanish word ‘camino’ which means “Way”, “Path”, or “Journey”, and our presenter will be the award-winning singer/songwriter and performer Krystle Dos Santos.

Krystle Dos Santos is a Vancouver-based, two-time Western Canadian Music Award–winning vocalist and songwriter whose sound moves between soul, jazz, and R&B. Known for a powerhouse voice and disarming stage presence, she’s sung onstage with Stevie Wonder and Michael Bublé and brings the same command to theatres and festivals across Canada. Dos Santos is also a musical storyteller: in her acclaimed co-creation Hey Viola! she brings to life the legacy of Canadian civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond, and in projects like BLAK: Canadian Women in Music she pairs iconic songs with the histories that shaped them. Whether leading a tight band, hosting her long-running Underneath the Harlem Moon cabaret series, or exploring new terrain with other collaborators, she invites audiences into music that’s equal parts heart, craft, and catharsis.

Each month we ask our presenters some probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into their life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define creativity and apply it in your life and career?
I believe creativity to be doing things outside of the box. Anything that’s not your “norm” or “safe” approach. It’s also an expression of your inner power—what you believe, dream, wish to see in the world. It’s a magical power of bringing something into existence on your own unique terms.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?
I certainly find it from others! Watching what other people do and then filtering it through my own creative sieve and desires is a huge inspiration - because even if I were to copy what somebody did exactly, it would never be what they did, it will always have a part of me in the equation….and any small change you make make it’s uniquely yours. I also find a lot of creative energy and inspiration from representation or lack thereof. Many of my recent projects have been a blatant filling of a hole in the representation marketplace. I’m doing exactly what I “wish” I could see in the creative marketplace. And by creating it, for myself, and by myself, I’m not restricted to “what sells” or to other people’s tastes or beliefs.

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person?
I wish I had known the power and control of self creation. That, and that the more vulnerable and personal you make your art, the more authentic, relatable and meaningful it will be for yourself and for others to receive.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at CreativeMornings?
I would love to hear James Baldwin or Lin Manuel Miranda speak at Creative mornings. They both have incredible perspectives and creative minds. Or maybe Beyonce, I think she’s a creative genius who is able to bring her layered meaning visions to life in such brilliant ways.

What “caminos” in your life are you most grateful for?
I’m grateful for the journey of parenthood—it really taught me what’s valuable and important to focus on. I’m grateful for the path of gratitude itself. Seeing every moment and element of life and a situation has allowed me such grounding and peace as I move through situations. And I’m grateful for the path of self acceptance—and what a journey that is and continues to be.

Who has been a helpful guide or companion on your journey?
My mom has been, and is still, such a helpful guide on my journey. She's the one I can always call for advice, a venting session or just simply acceptance for exactly where I am at any given moment. My husband is also an amazing partner and guide on my creative path and journey. He’s an awesome ideas guy and has given me the “permission” to really level up my creative endeavours and professionalism by allowing me to realize I deserve the best and should strive for the best. He also has been a huge support for big ideas, like touring with my kids/family and saying yes and figuring out the “details” as we go.

What has been your biggest creative detour — and what did it teach you? If your current path had a signpost, what would it say?
My biggest creative detour has been limiting my work for others and their projects and rather pouring my creativity and energy into my own creations and prioritizing myself and becoming my own boss. It takes the dependency out of the equation and allows for the limits of others to remain theirs. It also allows for me to create the exact shows, roles, parts etc that suit me best and not try to fit into someone else’s vision and standard of talent or style.

What did you learn from your most memorable creative failure?
I would say I learn from every failure—creative or otherwise. But creative failures are especially useful! I think the biggest one that affected me and taught me the most was basically “wasting” a big creation grant on choosing the wrong collaborators. This spiraled me into a creative depression and affected me for years after. What I learned was:
1) I can’t take ANYTHING that seriously
2) there’s always a way out or an alternative solution - and that may end up being better than the original plan
3) trusting my gut is one of the most valuable things I have
4) be specific and don’t surrender on your idea or dream—it’s your vision and only you can fully see the big picture and orchestrate exactly what you’ve envisioned—be unapologetic in reaching that goal and vision (but always with humility, kindness and curiosity)

What keeps you awake at night?
I’d say work, haha, or my kids waking up…but mostly ideas that I don’t want to forget for a project or a list of things I don’t want to forget to implement. I think it’s in the artists way book—that 3-4am is like a magic hour for creativity. So if I’m having creative sparks at that time, I don’t try to go back to sleep (I couldn’t if I tried) I just lean into it and do the thing or write down the idea I have swirling in my head.

When you get stuck creatively, what is the first thing you do to get unstuck?
Nature is creativity’s best companion in my opinion. Taking a walk, sitting by the water, or something like gardening is such a creative launchpad. Making sure we are doing the creative work, but also giving ourselves a break and space to let our brain process is such a valuable element to creation. Rest and space is just as valuable as the active work itself.

What has been one of your biggest Aha! moments in life?
1) Giving gets you WAY more than asking or just simply receiving ever could. If you’re stuck wondering “I need this or how do I get here”—you’ll get much further by sharing and offering and being of service and asking a mentor or person with experience “how can I help or be of service to you”.
2) Also, The idea that there’s enough sun to shine on every flower is a huge philosophy for me - every person and their unique talent and creativity is a very individual experience. We all have room to exsist in a creative world and space in many varying facets and ways. Competition is truly with ourselves (past, present and future), and not with others. I think comparison to others should only be used as inspiration for how we can better ourselves.
3) Sharing info (not gate keeping) and helping others/teaching and sharing knowledge has helped ME learn more than holding on to knowledge ever has. And it creates community, trust and levels up the whole environment rather than just my own narrow space.

🎵Our live musical performance will feature Laura Roy, a Canadian artist and Grammy‑nominated songwriter whose expressive voice blends contemporary folk, R&B, and alternative pop.🎶

With songwriting credits on Doja Cat’s Planet Her, performances on some of the world’s biggest stages, and a sound shaped by both her East Coast roots and global touring life, Laura brings intimate storytelling and emotional depth to everything she creates.