Biography
In 1990, some friends registered her for the Petite-Vallée song festival without her consent, but she completed a performance there and was regarded as a huge success. The following year she won the Granby song festival for her rendition of Jacques Brel's "Amsterdam". That same year she was invited to take part in the festival Les FrancoFolies de Montréal.
In 1993 she represented Radio Canada at the "Truffe de Périgueux" festival held in Périgord, France. She carried off the prize for Best Singer in the "chanson francophone" (francophone song) category. Following her success in France, she was noticed by songwriter Luc Plamondon who was looking for emerging talents to perform in a new production of his rock opera Starmania. There, Boulay portrayed the role of Marie-Jeanne.
In 1996, Boulay released her debut album, Fallait pas. Also in 1996, Boulay's vocal portrayal of internationally-successful Quebec singer Alys Robi was featured in a television drama.
Since then, she has had considerable success both in Quebec and in Europe. Her biggest-selling album in France was the 2000 release Parle-moi ("talk to me"). On the 14th of February 2008, she was presented with the medal of the Assemblée Nationale of Quebec by the mayor of her hometown, in recognition of her contribution to the arts.
Read more about this topic: Isabelle Boulay
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