Elise Besler

Elise Besler ~ Singer. Songwriter. Soul.

Soul music is more than a genre. It’s a human connection. It’s gutsy, resilient and timeless. It’s an invitation, to feel
deeply ~ and for some, to sing their face off!

A soul singer is willing to dig deep, and bare all.

Halifax NS soul singer and songwriter Elise Besler’s new EP “Lean In” is a dynamic collection of her favorite styles of
soul music, from the gospel inspired full band arrangements of ‘Good For The Soul’ and ‘Heavy’ to the swampy
acoustic southern blues inspired title track. The 6 songs on this EP are original material written by Elise and her
husband (Producer) Scott Harnish. “These songs come directly from my heart and have been inspired by life and the
desire for growth and change” The EP features some of Elise’s favorite local Halifax musicians including additional
vocals by Jessie Brown, guitars by Harnish and lap steel by Nick MacLean.

Growing up in an Alberta household full of music, Elise drew early inspiration from classic soul singers like Aretha
Franklin and more modern singers like Whitney Houston. “I would make mix tapes of my favorite songs and sing full
sets with costumes and choreography for anyone who would listen, sometimes it was my stuffed animals!”
Elise’s love of music and singing pulled her to Grant MacEwan University in her hometown of Edmonton Alberta,
where she studied voice, performance and composition. The famed music program connected Elise with some
fabulous musicians including Edmonton (now Toronto) Producer Greg Johnston, who produced her first album, “Done
up Right” in 2002. Many songs from the album were licensed for TV spots with DECODE Nickelodeon, The Family
Channel and The Food Network, the shows were aired in North and South America, as well as internationally in
countries as far away as China. Notable touring of this album included a sold out house for the release at “The
Backroom Vodka Bar” in Edmonton, mainstage at The Edmonton Jazz Festival and clubs across Western Canada
and in Toronto.

Elise is a passionate music educator and as the owner and instructor of Nusong Studio, her voice and performance
studio in Halifax, she guides her students to reach their own musical goals. “I take my role as a music mentor very
seriously, and I believe music is better when we come together as a community”.

Elise Besler returned to the stage September 10th, 2016 at Halifax’s The Carleton, to a sold out house with the
release of “Lean In”, and is busy booking and playing local shows in the Maritime Region.