Camille 'Adaeze' Evelyn from the Caribbean (UWC Red Cross Nordic 2005-2007) is a producer, writer and singer based in Barbados, who uses music to empower people. We spoke with her to learn more about her passion for music and for the arts in general.

“I’m attracted to music and art because it’s the best way to express my ideas and it allows me to feel alive. Art has a powerful way of influencing people and my goal is to use art to enlighten myself, and then use it to share the light I’ve gained. I’m passionate about people reaching their highest vibration, being their truest self and living a contagiously happy life. Music and art are one way I’m able to communicate these ideals.

My biggest challenge is remaining engaged with the world when I want to disconnect. I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and though I can mostly manage my depression, sometimes I struggle to balance my obligations and my symptoms.

Thinking back to my UWC experience, I can say that UWC completely reshaped my worldview. By living in such close quarters with people from all backgrounds, I quickly learned that unity is not just an ideal, but a necessity for mankind. One thing that was distinct about my UWC experience was all the different music I was exposed to. I fondly remember dancing to the popular songs from every continent. I remember how music and dance were our way of releasing pressure, and where language sometimes failed us, we had a killer bass line or drum pattern to make up the difference.

This made me want to spread everything I learned (and continue to learn) about people through music. Because of UWC, I’m not afraid of any audience, no matter how ‘different’ they are from me, because I know that there’s something within them that I can connect with (and vice versa), by virtue of us being human”.

Camille has just finished producing her first project, “Dae 1”, which will be released on 30 November: www.adaezelyrics.com/

She also founded a charity called @DaeDreamFoundation, currently running #FaceDepression, a campaign that aims to raise awareness about depression and break the stigma associated with mental illnesses, as well as providing support, resources and treatment (www.facedepressiontogether.com).