Welcome to an Exclusive Star Spot Interview with Marie-Claire Giraud: The Voice That Bridges Jazz, Opera & Broadway

Marie-Claire Giraud opens up about her EP Caravan, Broadway debut, and giving back to the community.

From the Caribbean island of Dominica to the heart of New York City’s jazz and opera scene, Marie-Claire Giraud has built a remarkable career defined by talent, versatility, and grace. A 2024 InterContinental Music Awards winner (Best of America | Jazz), she bridges worlds—jazz, opera, Broadway, and education—while inspiring the next generation through her music and master classes.

Raised in The Bronx, Marie-Claire’s voice carries both her heritage and her heart. She’s received the NYC Caribbean Heritage Award, an NAACP Image Award for her work teaching inner-city youth classical music, and recognition from the New York State Senate, City Hall, and the United Nations.

In this episode of Star Spot, host Merry sits down with Marie-Claire to talk about her beginnings, her EP Caravan, her Broadway debut, and her deep belief in giving back to the community through art and education.

Let’s dive into her inspiring story.

Let’s go to the beginning of your music journey. How did it all start? We’d love to hear.

My music journey started with my mom telling me that I actually sang before I spoke. From the very beginning, singing felt completely natural to me. I honestly thought everyone could sing the way I did—until I realized, no, not everybody could.

That discovery led me to open mic nights in New York City. And Merry, the very first time I stepped on stage, touched the microphone, and began to sing, it was like an epiphany. I felt God speak, the universe speak, and I knew in that moment: this is what I was meant to do. From then on, I never stopped.

You switch between styles so naturally—jazz, opera, even Broadway. How do you do that? What’s the process like for you?

Honestly, I don’t even think of it as switching. I just sing different genres that feel authentic to me. And it’s not every genre—I’m very specific about what I perform.

For example, I focus on jazz from the pre-code era, the 1920s, 30s, and 40s—songs from the Great American Songbook. I also sing opera and some musical theatre. When you look at the time frame, a lot of these styles actually coexisted. The jazz I love, the opera I sing, and the musical theatre repertoire all grew out of the same artistic period.

Of course, opera has its roots in the 19th century, but even then, composers like Puccini lived and thrived in New York City, where jazz and Broadway were also flourishing. So for me, it doesn’t feel like switching—it’s simply a natural extension of who I am as an artist. It just flows, and I do it because I love it.

Which one of your performances has been the biggest moment for you?

One of the most meaningful performances for me was headlining at the Dominica Jazz and Creole Festival this past May. That was truly a dream come true because I was born on the island of Dominica, and going back to perform there felt like a full-circle moment.

I was able to share the stage with some of my band members from New York and bring our music back to my home country. The energy, the love, and the connection with the audience were incredible. It wasn’t just another concert—it was a celebration of my roots and a powerful reminder of where my music journey began.

How did it feel to be one of the winners of the 2024 InterContinental Music Awards?

Honestly, I didn’t even know right away—I was at a rehearsal when some of my friends told me that I had won. I couldn’t believe it at first, especially because the award was for a song that I wrote, “Chasing Rainbows.”

That song is very personal to me. Chasing Rainbows is about never giving up on your dreams, no matter what challenges life throws at you. Yes, there will be storms and dark clouds, but there will also always be a rainbow. To have that message recognized with an InterContinental Music Award meant so much—it was incredibly validating as a songwriter and as an artist.

And while I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony in 2024, I’ll definitely be there this year. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in person!

How did you first hear about the InterContinental Music Awards?

I actually found out through this amazing WhatsApp group I’m part of—it’s a supportive network full of musicians. Someone dropped the link in the chat and encouraged anyone who qualified to apply.

At first, I didn’t think I would even qualify, let alone be nominated or win. But I went ahead and applied, and to my surprise, not only was I nominated, I actually won! It was such a fantastic and unexpected experience.

What stood out the most about the InterContinental Music Awards to you?

What really stood out to me is that the InterContinental Music Awards is more than just a music competition—it’s a community. It’s a network of musicians who genuinely support one another, give back, and step in to assist when an artist needs help.

Being an artist in today’s world is not easy. It has never been easy, but right now it can be especially challenging. That’s why having an organization like ICMA, which truly uplifts and supports artists, makes such a huge difference. It’s not just about winning an award—it’s about belonging to a family of musicians who care about each other.

You’ve talked about the difficulties musicians face. Can you share some of the challenges you’ve had to overcome in your career?

One of the biggest challenges has always been financial. As an artist, raising the funds to create, record, and release music is not easy. For example, I just finished my EP Caravan, which was nominated this year at the InterContinental Music Awards. I’m really excited about it, but it took a lot of effort to bring it to life.

Being an artist is about so much more than getting on stage and performing. I design the entire experience for my audience—it’s the set list, the outfit, the makeup, the way I style my hair. I want every show to feel like an immersive journey, not just a concert. But all of that takes time, energy, and most importantly, financial resources. Managing those financial challenges has definitely been one of the biggest obstacles in my career.

Let’s talk about your Broadway debut and your one-woman show. We’d love to hear more about it—take us there.

Well, my one-woman show actually took place at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater—not on Broadway itself. But I did make my Broadway debut earlier this year when I performed strictly as an actress in the play Cherry House. I played the role of Miss Barnes at Theater Row, which is just slightly off-Broadway. It was such an incredible experience.

What I love most is the creative process behind a production. For me, it’s not just about getting on stage and performing. It’s about everything that happens in rehearsal with your colleagues—the exploration, the choices, the building of character.

I like to describe it this way: I don’t just want to paint with one row of Crayola crayons. I want the big box—the one with all the shades, four purples, four reds, four yellows, four blues. Because when you step on stage, you can create with all of those colors. That richness only comes from doing the work in rehearsal, and that’s what excites me the most about acting and performing.

You’re also an educator. Can you tell us more about that side of your career?

Yes, absolutely! Whenever I go on tour, I love to offer master classes and give back to the community. One of my passions is showing kids that classical music isn’t something foreign or elitist—it’s actually part of the music they already listen to every day.

For example, hip-hop often samples and loops classical pieces. So in my workshops, I’ll play a hip-hop track, then strip it back to reveal the original classical composition underneath. Suddenly, the students realize they’ve been listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Stravinsky, or Vivaldi without even knowing it.

The reactions are priceless—kids are amazed, saying, “Wow, we’ve been listening to classical music all this time!” It makes the genre approachable, relatable, and fun. Because at the end of the day, good music is just good music—no matter the style or the century it comes from.

What advice would you give to musicians who are just beginning their journey?

My advice is simple: never give up. You never know when opportunities will come, especially in a city like New York. The key is to stay persistent, never skip any steps, and keep training. Go to your classes, take your lessons, rehearse diligently, and be fully prepared.

Opportunities will come, but only if you are ready to seize them. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep refining your craft—not just as a performer, but as a person. The music world is always evolving, so staying up-to-date and continually expanding your knowledge and skills will only make you a stronger, more versatile artist.

What’s on the horizon for you? Are you working on any new singles, albums, or projects that we can expect?

I’m thrilled to share that my EP Caravan is coming out soon!

Editor’s note: Since the time of this interview, Marie-Claire Giraud’s EP Caravan has been officially released and is now available on streaming platforms.

I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. It’s been a long process to get this music out, but I’m really proud of it—it’s a beautiful collection of songs, and it reflects a lot of who I am as an artist.

In addition to the EP, I’ve been cast in my first major motion picture, which starts filming next year. The film is called Love and Bones, and I play a very challenging character—a tyrannical stage mother. It’s a role I can really sink my teeth into, and I’m so excited about exploring it.

I’m also performing live at PAC NYC on September 20 at 7 p.m. in a show called From Harlem to Hollywood, featuring the songs of Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, and many other classics.

On top of that, I’ll be traveling internationally for the first time, visiting France and Morocco next month, which is another exciting chapter in my journey. It’s a busy schedule, but I love it—there’s always something new to explore, whether it’s music, acting, or cultural experiences.

Any last words you’d like to share with your fans and our viewers?

I just want to say thank you—thank you to the InterContinental Music Awards for having me today, and thank you to everyone for the support and love.

To my fans and fellow musicians: never give up. If you have a dream, hold on to it. Keep that little fire inside you burning, no matter how small it may seem. Stay dedicated, do the work, and trust that your persistence will lead you to the opportunities you’ve been hoping for.

Marie-Claire Giraud Contact Info:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marie_claireplus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marieclairegolden

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/marieclaire1926

Click here to watch Marie-Claire Giraud’s full interview on Instagram.

InterContinental Music Awards Team

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