For most artists, the pandemic meant a pause on performing for audiences; for Vancouver saul singer Dawn Pemberton, it meant switching from performing on stages to performing on radio waves. Despite not having performed since last spring due to COVID-19, Dawn Pemberton still has her voice heard as the host of an Alberta radio show named Get on the Good Foot.

Pemberton was the one who pitched the idea of Get on the Good Foot to CKUA and is a show that celebrates Black Music. Dawn Pemberton might still have her voice heard on the radio, but she says that the radio is no replacement for getting on stage in front of real people. Pemberton was scheduled to perform in two Vancouver theatre productions that have now been canceled; this would have meant Pemberton being on stage eight times a week. Unfortunately for Dawn and other artists from British Columbia, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a habit of getting in the way of everything.

In an interview with CBC, Pemberton says that she misses the feeling of being on stage, “I really miss humans,” she said. However, Pemberton has continued to keep her voice active and is ready for when she is back on stage doing what she loves most. The soul singer says that her voice is currently better than ever, thanks in large part to her singing lessons that she has been keeping up with despite the pandemic. Dawn Pemberton is absolute proof that no matter what kind of shenanigans life decides to throw your way if you can manage to keep your head down and fight through it, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. With COVID vaccines being rolled out more and more in British Columbia, it surely won’t be long before Pemberton and other local artists can get back to performing in front of live audiences.

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