“Passion is oxygen for the soul. “ - Bill Butler. Ilse, who was born without a left arm, took a leap of faith and decided to move from a medieval city in Belgium to the unknown territory of New York to fulfill her ultimate passion for music. Despite of grew up in Belgium she strongly faced all the emotional, financial downside in busy street of New York and with her hard work and resilient willpower she conquered her well-deserved place in the musical world. She struggled to establish herself onto the music scene during her early years in New York. She persevered through poverty and rejection through these years and never gave up her dream. Slowly but surely, she made a name for herself and started performing alongside established names in the music industry. Her passion and hard work prevailed, her talent was recognized, and she started performing at famous venues and A-list music industry professionals. The debut album of this Belgian-born, Brooklyn-based singer titled “I am human” was released worldwide in 2015. The album has been described as unique and soulful that transports your imagination to another world. Her summer single 'Work It' is listed Number 1 as most popular track on Twitter’s Hypemachine.

Can you tell us about your musical journey from Belgium to New York?I: It’s been a long journey with many challenges but every single one of them was worth it, because it made me a stronger person. I think we all wish for an easy path but then there is no growth so I embrace every obstacle along the way. I grew up in a medieval city in Belgium, Ghent where I studied Psychology. My parents absolutely wanted me to have a degree first and even though I much rather would have studied music it actually helped me become a better writer and write deep and meaningful lyrics. I traveled to New York where I met talented producers and musicians. I went through years of poverty and struggle and couldn’t afford a real meal or bed and had to sleep on a couch. I took every musical gig that I could, as background singer, reference singer, writer, etc. but sang so much that I actually overdid my voice leading to vocal damage, a polyp. I couldn’t afford the surgery and that looked like the end of the road but then the doctor called that there was a test treatment and asked if I’d like to join the test group. I had nothing to lose and after 3 laser treatments the polyp was gone. It later on turned out to be the best vocal treatment available that also saved Adele’s voice. The journey continued :) I joined the stage with Lana Del Rey (formerly known as Lizzy Grant), performed for Michael Douglas and now work with Grammy-nominated Producer/Musician Joshua Valleau (John Legend, James Blake, BBC), Columbia Records, Sony UK Composer/Producer Sebastiaan Vandevoorde (Moonlight Matters, Arches, Villa; remixed artists such as Adele, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Moby), Violinist/Arranger/Composer Juliette Jones of Jules & The Dirty Collective (Florence + The Machine, Pharrell Williams, Aretha Franklin, Janelle Monae, J.Cole, Nicki Minaj) and even the Grammy winning producer Ricky Key who created the World Version of ‘I Am Human’.

How did you get idea of “I Am Human” LP? What is the best compliment you received so far for this LP?I: I was motivated to create music that is honest and real. I couldn’t identify with so many of the songs in the Top 40 that brag about money, girls, cars and let’s not forget the butts. It feels empty and shallow and I got so tired of it. ‘I Am Human’ has a message about what it means to be human, to be vulnerable but to grow strong. In the Western world we tend to grow further and further away from each other and I needed music to connect us to each other and with ourselves again. The best compliment for me is when people share that it’s like I’m singing about their life and that the album touches them and lifts them up. That’s when you know you are in tune with what’s going on in the world. That’s another reason why I know I had to go through what I had been through in my life, so it can inspire others to hold on and push through.

What do you prefer, live performance or recording at studio and why?I: I love both so much! In the recording studio I connect to my own life experience and sing from that place. It’s very personal and intimate. In a live performance all this happens just as much but then all of a sudden you see that people in the audience are going to their own memories as well and that it becomes an experience you live together. That’s when you realize that music is magic and that it brings us closer together.

What are the different types of genres that you sing in?I: We decided to call it Pop music cause I tend to go to many different subgenres within :). I love piano ballads with strings and orchestra and organic old school instruments but I also love experimenting with futuristic and electronic sounds. I like to feel free and combine elements that have not been combined before.

Who is your favorite singer? Did you get a chance to meet with him/her?I: This is a super tough question cause I have a wide variety of influences throughout different genres and different eras in time from Gladys Knight, Kate Bush to Prince and Lana Del Rey, Adele and The Weeknd. And as a child I grew up listening to Uriah Heep, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones cause my dad played the bass guitar. I’ve met Lionel Richie, Lana Del Rey, Miguel and Mikky Ekko but would love to meet some more artists for sure!

Who is your inspiration?I: Martin Luther King and Stephen Bikko. Standing up for justice in a peaceful way throughout so many obstacles, facing a mission impossible every single day. Those are true heroes. Today we are giving way too much attention to reality TV-stars who cause nothing but drama. It’s time to bring the real heroes back!

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?I: I love the islands of Hawaii!!! If there is a heaven on earth, that’s where it is! From nature to the people, all living in harmony. So peaceful and relaxing. It always makes me wonder why we choose to live in a crazy place like New York ;)

What are your other hobbies?I: Laughing! :) I decided to make this a real way of living cause life is too short. I love spending time with family and friends, talking about life, going out and watching movies.

How can music play an important role for our special children?I: Music brings so much joy to life! Music is something we all feel connected to. It moves us and takes us to another place. It can bring laughter or it can be a healing experience. It can make us forget the troubles we are going through and it can help us remember beautiful memories. It’s something that we can all share and makes us feel closer together. It makes us all feel the same… human.

Any special message for our community?I: Believe in yourself! Love yourself! Never listen to negative people. Listen to your heart and do more of what makes you excited. We all have a special talent and that’s what makes us so unique and beautiful. The world needs more of YOU.