“I’ll forever approach social change knowing there are opportunities for me to create things that weren’t there before. VERSIONS showed me that when you have an idea, you don’t have to wait to do it.”

In this series, we’re highlighting our VERSIONS Alumni. You’ll learn about their transformative journeys with and through the VERSIONS Youth Fellowship.

Kyle

Kyle Haddad, a Jamaican-Canadian, discovered his passion for music at the age of fifteen when he began piano lessons. Despite experimenting with various instruments, it was the piano that resonated with him, opening doors to a lifelong love of music and prompting him to pursue formal musical education.

Kyle’s unique approach to learning—by ear rather than through traditional methods—posed challenges when he began his music education at Western University, but he persevered and quickly caught on. There, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Pop Music; an interdisciplinary program combining musicology, music production, music theory, and sound engineering.

“Some people say it feels counterintuitive to study music at school, but I’ve really enjoyed seeing what’s possible when music meets academia. That’s the world I’ve been raised in. Although music and learning happen outside of the classroom, I know I will continue to use this background in any creative pursuit going forward.”

Music and Vulnerability

Kyle is driven by a desire to create and be part of projects that inspire him. He values the communal aspect of music, emphasizing its power to connect people. “I really enjoy communities established around music because they bring people together,” he says.

To Kyle, there’s a transformative power in music, particularly in its ability to create a sense of vulnerability and connection among people. “I think music has that ability to bring people together because it forces someone to become vulnerable,” he explains. Kyle says oftentimes, even the loudest, most outgoing people are shy when it comes to singing because it’s a special type of vulnerability and connection.

Seeking Connection

Kyle’s journey with VERSIONS began as he transitioned to life in Canada from Jamaica. Raised in Jamaica, Kyle sought a community as he started school in London, Ontario. He was drawn to VERSIONS because of its focus on building a supportive network of artists.

“I could tell that it was community-oriented in some way, that it was going to build a community of artists. And I thought that was really cool,” Kyle recalls.

New Skills for Life

Despite initial concerns about the program’s online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle found the virtual experience engaging. “I don’t normally like being online like that. But this was worth it,” he admits.

Kyle highlights the workshops and group sessions as the most impactful parts of his VERSIONS experience. “I would say all of the workshops and calls were really memorable; it’s hard to pick just one.”

However, a time management workshop led by T had a life-changing impact on him. “I’ll admit that I didn’t think it would be really spiritual or impactful, but T’s time management workshops were the most influential in changing my life,” he notes. The workshop helped Kyle recognize his habits and tendencies, enabling him to function more effectively both in school and beyond.

Additionally, conversations with VERSIONS mentors were pivotal in helping him open up and reflect on his thoughts and feelings. “They helped me to think about things in a new way—there were things I had never questioned that I now give thought to on a daily basis,” he shares.

A Former Perfectionist

The Fellowship encouraged Kyle to be less judgmental of himself and more open to trying new things. As a former perfectionist, he learned to embrace imperfection and the importance of releasing work even if it has flaws. “It made me realize that in order to be an artist, you have to release your project when it’s done and simply let it be. It’s never going to be perfect,” he reflects.

“The Fellowship has allowed me to be less judgmental of myself in trying new things and open to more possibilities.” Before VERSIONS, Kyle would hold himself back from opportunities because he wasn’t experienced, but now he knows to try even if he doesn’t know how.

A Life-Long Pursuit

While VERSIONS has a significant focus on music, the program is also designed to develop leadership skills. Each Fellow is tasked with designing and implementing a social impact project in their communities.

Kyle’s social impact project significantly influenced his leadership abilities. While he had prior experience in leadership roles, such as VP of Communications in school clubs, this project was his first experience in leading a social initiative. The process taught him the realities of managing expectations and the extensive work involved in social change.

Kyle’s project was inspired by the homelessness issue he witnessed in London, Ontario. Initially, he planned a large project, but soon realized the need for a more manageable approach. Despite initial doubts about his ability to make a difference, he created a personal and impactful project. He connected with homeless individuals, recorded their stories with consent, and provided donations and supplies. Although the project wasn’t as big as he expected, the relationships and understanding he built were significant.

“Social change is difficult. I didn’t think it was, but now that I’ve done my social impact project, I realize it’s a life-long pursuit.”

Continuing Social Change

Looking ahead, Kyle sees himself continuing to be involved in social change on an individual level. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and questioning norms. He remains committed to donating and sharing information.

“I see myself being involved in social change from a personal level. I’ve been trying to understand how I operate and feel, and I’ve been analyzing what I’ve been taught to assume. There are things that I’ve been conditioned to see as normal that shouldn’t be normalized.”

A Note to Future Applicants and Fellows

Kyle en

courages future VERSIONS applicants to embrace their individuality and seize the opportunity. “Go for it and be yourself,” he advises. His time with VERSIONS taught him that people are eager to hear each other’s thoughts, music, and ideas.

“My time with VERSIONS has shown me there are people out there who want to hear what you have to say, what you’re thinking, what you want to play. And others simply want to connect with you. So I would definitely say that VERSIONS is worth it.”

A Life Changed

Kyle’s experience with VERSIONS profoundly changed his perspective on social impact and music. “My life has changed because of VERSIONS. I’ve seen another way to approach social impact and music and community,” he explains.