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

Victoria

When Victoria was just ten years old, her world was turned upside down. Her mother fell ill, and soon after, Victoria and her older sister found themselves in their mother’s home country of Nigeria. “We were privileged enough to have family in Nigeria who took us in,” Victoria recalls. Her parents, both born and raised in Nigeria, had met and built a life in the United States. There, Victoria’s mother single-handedly raised her daughters after her husband and their father passed away – until she fell ill.

Victoria’s mother made it a priority that Victoria and her sister would learn about their Nigerian heritage. Their only previous visit to Nigeria had been brief, a few weeks to attend their father’s funeral when Victoria was young.

“I was lucky enough to be in Nigeria during my formative years. It taught me how to make
decisions and care for myself,” Victoria reflects. “Nigerians are very hardworking and
self-driven, and I learned those traits from being in the country and because my mom got
sick.”

Unfortunately, Victoria’s mother passed and the transition was far from easy.

Victoria faced culture shock and struggled for years before she felt like she could truly thrive. Yet, looking back, she has no regrets. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I went through some of the hardest periods of my life in Nigeria, with my people, and I am so glad that I get to call them family. Both the blood-related ones and the ones I just met along the way,” she shares.

Victoria’s journey exemplifies resilience and growth. “I joke about it a lot because, for the longest time, I didn’t think myself very lucky,” she admits. But her time in Nigeria gave her a unique perspective and a strength she cherishes. “Looking back, I wouldn’t have any of what I have now without experiencing life in Nigeria and learning how to view the world through a different set of eyes.”

Victoria’s Path to Music

Victoria Ibek discovered her passion for music at an early age. When her mother bought matching radios for her and her sister, Victoria was captivated by the device and replayed songs until she could perform them for her family. Her natural talent was evident, and she fell in love with singing.

From that moment, her dream was clear; Victoria wanted to be a singer.

While you wouldn’t be able to tell from speaking with her, Victoria admits she is an anxious person who often overthinks and “gets in her head” too much. Music has been her anchor through these challenges.

“Music has been the thing to help ground me for so long. If I’m feeling overwhelmed or insecure, I write, and it helps me process what I am feeling.”

Victoria also appreciates that her music allows her to connect with listeners and express her emotions without explicitly labelling them. She sees her music as a comfortable outlet for self-expression. “Music is the ability to be truthful. I’ve always been a bit awkward talking about my feelings, but singing makes it feel like I have more freedom to say what I want.”

After graduating 2022 with a bachelor’s in biology, Victoria decided to take a year off before pursuing her pre-med studies, with plans to become a pediatrician. During this gap year, she focused on her music to determine if it could bloom into a career. To her delight, it did. What was supposed to be a one-year break extended to two as opportunities in music continued to flow her way. She remains confident that she can return to school whenever she chooses, but for now, music is her priority.

Adding VERSIONS to Her Life

Victoria discovered VERSIONS through BandLab, a platform where users create music, collaborate, and engage with other musicians worldwide. She’d found independent success on the platform and had always seen music as a way to make a difference in the world and loved writing about her own experiences. Her goal is for her music to help people when they listen. When she read about VERSIONS, she knew she wanted to “be a part of something bigger than just singing songs for fun. I wanted to sing something that actually matters.”

When Victoria learned she had been selected for VERSIONS, she was overwhelmed with emotion. “I cried for what felt like three hours.” The excitement was immense, and she felt honoured to be part of the program.

Found Family

 

“VERSIONS became a kind of family and close friends.”

The VERSIONS team and Fellows quickly became family to Victoria. The monthly meetings, group interactions, and collaborative projects fostered deep connections among the Fellows, and Victoria loved getting to know everyone involved.

“Being put into groups and interacting on different projects was a great way to get personal with the other participants and to connect.”

Giving Back to Her Community

 

For Victoria, the most memorable part of VERSIONS was working on the social impact project. Each Fellow was tasked with designing and implementing a social impact project in their communities. For her project, Victoria created an original jingle for the Gracious Hands Transitional Housing Centre to use in advertising, volunteer recruiting purposes and at any events to spread awareness of their mission to provide housing for women who are experiencing homelessness.

“Singing the jingle for them was heartwarming. I hadn’t performed in a few years, so being on stage with something I wrote—in fact, it was my first original piece—was nerve-racking and memorable.” She was proud to contribute to such a good cause.

Before joining VERSIONS, Victoria was involved in her community, working with kids and music. However, she had not led any projects on her own. The Fellowship offered her a chance to take on leadership roles and make a more significant impact in the world. Victoria now embraces leadership roles more confidently. “Usually I’m in the back, but VERSIONS has inspired me to want to do more and be better.”

Levelling-Up Her Creativity

VERSIONS helped Victoria delve deeper into her music. She learned to analyze her emotions and experiences, which enriched her songwriting. “I used to close my eyes and hope for the best. But now, I try to understand my feelings and thoughts rather than just letting them bubble up when they do.”

In addition, the vocal lessons with Amanda Mabro, a Canadian vocal coach, were particularly impactful for Victoria. These lessons made her aware of her body placements and provided tools to enhance her singing, which she continues to use. Despite having no professional training, she now realizes the immense value of these lessons.

She credits VERSIONS with helping her get the musical opportunities she has now. “Thanks to the technical lessons and opportunity to learn that I deserve the things I want to do, VERSIONS has really helped inspire me to be the artist I am today.”

Advice to Future VERSIONS Applicants and Fellows

 

Victoria’s words of wisdom to potential VERSIONS Fellows are to “Take your time and enjoy every opportunity you’re given. You’re going to have a great time, and you’ll be set up to accomplish anything that you want to do next.”

As a VERSIONS Alum, Victoria is excited to continue pursuing her art and making a difference in the world through her music. “I was looking for an excuse to pursue my art, and VERSIONS has shown me that my music can possibly be something great.”