This A-Profiler we bring you Brooke Taylor, a soulful R&B vocalist who has been launched into the public eye thanks to a college audition with Steve Harvey. Find out more about this up-and-coming vocalist and how she's been able to break the stereotypes, what she has planned for the future, and what she enjoys when she isn't making music.

Your site URL:
www.myspace.com/taylor

What is your ethnicity?
I am a 4th generation Japanese American.

How did you get started in music?  Have you had any formal music or voice training?
I actually got into music because my Dad is a musician, so I was constantly surrounded by music! My father was pushing me to become a pianist, so I first learned playing the piano at 5 by ear. It was later I got into singing. I never had formal vocal training. I started out listening to my favorite artists and tried to sing exactly like them to help develop my range and tone.

Who have been your biggest musical influences?
Wow, this is a hard one! I love the greats of course, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, I love listening to soul records. That is where my heart is!

What did your parents think of your interest in music?  Were they supportive?
Well at first when I told them about what I loved to do they weren’t really behind me only because they thought I was a young kid with a silly dream of becoming a recording artist. It was the day I had my first talent competition at school that they actually saw my passion and talent for singing. Ever since then they’ve been supportive all the way.

Your biggest break in music so far has been through Steve Harvey discovering your talent at a college audition.  What sort of reaction have you had when people have heard you sing and then have seen you, as a 4th generation Japanese American?  Do you think that has worked to your advantage or disadvantage?
Well, when people look at me and I tell them I sing R&B music. I think in their minds they’re thinking “yeah right, I’m sure you do!” Obviously it’s because there’s not many Asian artists that have made it very big in the American music industry so everyone assumes we aren’t talented. I know that there are so many talented Asians that don’t get the recognition due to the fact that we all aren’t given the opportunity. I think being Asian American has been a disadvantage in the way of not given certain opportunities to show them what I have to offer as an artist. I have had opportunities shut down even before they gave me a chance to prove it to them. But, I am not a negative person to give up hope. I know that I need to prove these people wrong for prejudging someone based on what they look like. So, with that said, it has been a major advantage that no one expects me to sing the way I do, especially in vocal competitions. It definitely makes the competitions more interesting due to the shock factor.

Have you ever experienced any bias because of being a vocalist of Japanese American descent?  What do you think it will take to make it in the music business and overcome some of the obstacles that other Asian Americans have faced?
Well, as I stated before, just being Asian American in this genre that is predominantly African American is already a challenge in itself. When I say a challenge it’s because there hasn’t been any Asian American artists that have been able to win a Grammy Award in this genre, so I want to be that first. I know that it’s not going to be an easy road, but I try to keep myself focused on what my goal is and what steps I need to take in order to achieve it. I feel that perseverance, faith, and smart marketing will be the key to attaining my goals. I look forward to the adventure! Bring it on!

What good things can we expect to hear from Brooke Taylor in the near future?  What would you like to see yourself doing in music in 3 to 5 years?
Wow, hmm let’s see, within a 3-5 year time span I will have accomplished my goals to win Grammy’s and Billboard Music Awards, many double platinum albums and International celebrity as well. But on a side note, I want to open up various charities to help children and adults who are barely getting by with what they have. There are so many people who need help to live their every day lives. I would get a lot of self gratification knowing that my time and efforts have been used to help someone else be happy.

Outside of music, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
When I’m not focused on music I love to travel, spend time with my family, enjoy the arts (operas, museums, etc.), I love walks with my 2 dogs who make me smile when I’m having a bad day, even hiking on trails helps me clear my mind!

And finally, what advice do you have for other aspiring Asian American singers out there?
One major thing I want to stress to other Asian American singers out there is to have faith. If you don’t have faith in what you do, how can you expect to convince anyone else to? The music business demands to take a lot of risk, have determination and fight with tough skin. You need to remember that without hard work you won’t attain any goal that you want.

Would you like to be featured on this site? Click here for more info.

This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Nelson Wong.
Special thanks to Brooke Taylor.

Photos used with permission.
Copyright retained by original copyright holder(s).