Arielle Perez: a singer-songwriter with emotional storytelling expertise

Photo by Marky Hugh

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Arielle Perez is a young singer-songwriter who transforms life experiences into soulful melodies that distinguish her from others. She turns her feelings into colorful narratives through storytelling techniques and songs that create deep connections with listeners. This article delves into her songwriting journey, inspirations, and the artistry behind her emotionally compelling compositions.

At the age of 7, she was renowned as a multi-medalist in singing-songwriting, acting, and singing with musical accompaniment in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2021. Arielle’s songwriting is an extension of her soul in which she expresses joy, sadness, love, and loss. Her debut EP, “Fourteen,” was a testament to this philosophy which captured her struggles and triumphs as a young artist finding her voice.

On February 15th, 2025 Arielle performed as a backup singer for Canadian country artist, Myles Erlick at the James Barker Band concert at Central Niagara. She shared the stage with talented musicians, Ava Ro, John Goodblood, Alex Hamnet, Tim Wilson, and Christina DaRe, and described this experience as “one of the most memorable and exciting performances” of her career. This milestone showcased her versatility as a performer and reinforced her growing presence in the music industry.

Arielle’s connection to songwriting is deep because each song she writes is a reflection of her experiences, spirit, and thoughts. Her musical upbringing with her father and grandfather instilled in her the power of melody and words to communicate feelings that words often cannot. Each song she writes captures moments of triumph, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Her writing process is introspective which is drawing from her own life experiences to craft songs that are authentic and relatable.

One of the most heart-touching songs from her discography is “Without You,” her first released song which she dedicated to her late grandfather. Through poignant lyrics and beautiful melody, Arielle expresses the deep impact her grandfather had on her musical journey. By writing this song she channeled her emotions into something lasting, a tribute that relates to anyone who has experienced loss.

This experience shaped her approach to songwriting and opened her up to exploring different genres and heartfelt themes, from R&B and pop to alternative and jazz. She always focuses on creating a sense of connection and consciousness through her music that allows listeners to step into her story and feel her affections. To Arielle, that ability to forge an emotional bond is the essence of being a songwriter.

Arielle begins her creative process with journaling and character development to capture deep experiences. While her early lyrics were broad, she now focuses on intricate details that resonate with a wide audience. At the piano, she experiments with chords until something clicks, layering melodies to shape the song’s essence with the help of her vocal coach, Alyssa Grace. Once the foundation is set, she brings her vision to life in the studio where producer James Nickle adds layers of creativity. Each song can take weeks or months to perfect, as Arielle refines every note and lyric to convey the essence of her story.

As a recognized performer for significant cultural events, such as the Government of Canada’s Asian Heritage Month Celebration in Ottawa, Arielle continues to elevate her craft. She has opened for notable Filipino celebrities in Toronto and performed at the Golden Balangay Awards. Her dedication to her art is not only evident in her growing catalog but also in her ability to turn personal challenges into creative fuel. After losing her grandfather, who was a musical influence, Arielle healed herself through songwriting.

Arielle’s original compositions are a blend of pop, R&B, and acoustic ballads which creates a unique sound. She believes that music can heal and inspire individuals’ hearts so she strengthens connections with her audience with her songs. Her lyrics are based on themes of self-acceptance, resilience, love, and authentic voice.

Her recent sold-out concert, “With Love, Elle,” was a key milestone in this journey. She performed an unreleased track, “Butterfly,” a song dedicated to a close friend (who was going through a difficult relationship). This song was inspired by the “breakup season” trend on TikTok. Arielle felt the song would resonate with the audience and it did. For the first time, she noticed people putting their phones down and fully immersed in the music. That moment of attention built the profound connection she hopes to create with every song she performs.

Arielle actively engages with her audience through YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook by posting glimpses of her songwriting sessions, behind-the-scenes looks at studio recordings, and personal reflections. By sharing her thoughts and studio moments, she allows her audience to experience her artistic growth firsthand.

She recently posted a soulful message about the emotional inspiration behind her latest song which emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability in her artistry. This openness has left an impact on her fans and made her music even more meaningful to her audience.

Arielle dreams of a world where her songs reach people far and wide as something they can truly feel and connect with. She sees a future where she is working with celebrated artists and industry-leading producers to turn her storytelling into music that transcends borders. From the first note she ever wrote, Arielle knew she wanted her music to connect with hearts far beyond her own world. In every note Arielle plays, there is a blend of passion, grace, and inner feelings.

Now, with a growing audience and a mission to create engaging music, Arielle is focused on sharing her unique voice and heartfelt stories to connect with the listeners and make her place as a star in the music industry.