Meet Louisiana-based Musician Laura Huval
LAURA HUVAL is a musician, songwriter, producer, and educator living in Cecilia, Louisiana. Visit her website.
CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION: Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Louisiana?
LAURA BERARD HUVAL: I am originally from Cecilia, Louisiana, where most of my immediate family lives and where I currently reside. I am from the culturally rich region of Louisiana called Acadiana. We pride ourselves in our "joie de vivre." The traditions of our Catholic Acadian ancestors who were exiled from Nova Scotia, Canada in 1755 run deep in our small community. The music, French/Creole language, and our strong Catholic faith are reasons why I have never left my hometown.
My husband speaks fluent French (and plays accordion) and my two sons are in French immersion in school. My late father, Al Berard, was a Grammy-nominated fiddle player, and he was an ambassador of our Cajun/Creole culture. My whole family is blessed with the gift of music. St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish is our home parish.
How do understand your vocation as a Catholic artist? Do you call yourself a Catholic artist?
Yes, I do call myself a Catholic Artist. In 2019, I formally started my music ministry called “Joyful Noise Music.” My mission is to "share the Gospel one song at a time." The Holy Spirit has taken me on such a beautiful and adventurous journey. I have been so honored to pray and minister to people from all walks of life.
Over the past few years, I have really started to understand that my charism is connecting to people through music. In fact, through music is how I pray the best, as well as communicate with the Holy Spirit. Music has the power to bring us to a higher realm of thinking and praying (St. Augustine).
I am also blessed to have a successful secular music career. I am in a band called Sweet Cecilia, with my sister and our first cousin. (Many of our original songs are spiritual, so we are not completely secular.) We named the band after our hometown, Cecilia, as well as the patron saint of musicians and singers, St. Cecilia.
In 2020, we were honored to be nominated for Grammy Award for our album, "A Tribute to Al Berard" (an album honoring my late father) in the best Regional Roots Album Category.
We didn't take home the Grammy, but the experience was one we will never forget. Due to COVID, the ceremony was held virtually. We made the best of it and rented out the Cecilia Civic Center and were able to celebrate with our friends, children, and family.
Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?
I have been a member of the St. Joseph Church Choir since I was 9 years old. My parents met and fell in love in the choir loft, and the rest is history. Today, I serve as the music director (full circle). I have found tremendous support from my church parish, priests, clergy, and catholic schools. I have been invited to speak and perform for Diocesan conferences, small groups, women's retreats, parish missions, and youth ministry events. I currently am the music minister at a local Catholic school, where I lead the students in mass every week.
Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?
I have found support as an artist from Oregon Catholic Press (OCP). I am proud to call OCP my publisher and have had a few songs published by them. I have also written a few psalm settings for Spirit & Psalm (OCP Psalm Publication). In May of this year, I was invited to a songwriting retreat sponsored by OCP in Tucson, AZ. It was such a fruitful and anointed time, where I was able write songs and connect with other Catholic artists. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would be writing songs for liturgy. I do feel the Holy Spirit calling me write more songs for liturgy and the Church. I am really looking forward to writing new songs and meeting new Catholic musicians and songwriters.
How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
I feel that the church should embrace the arts and see the power it has in today's society. Music, visual art, literature, etc., has a profound effect on evangelization in the church today. There are so many talented Catholic artists who are not being recognized or encouraged to continue their craft. I believe that the church needs to be brave and bold and accept the beautiful new "music" being created by artists. I believe the church is a wide place and there is space at the table for tradition, as well as the anointed art being created by Catholic artists of all genres.
How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?
The region of Louisiana where I am from really does embrace artists of faith. (We have French Masses celebrated at some of our biggest festivals.) Visual artists of faith are being chosen to create pieces of art for various secular organizations. Our local performing arts centers will showcase "Christian" or "Gospel" music during the year. I do feel that the artists I know of various faiths are welcoming, open minded, and respectful. I would hope that this would be theme we see across the artistic world.
Where in Cecilia, LA do you regularly find spiritual fulfillment?
As mentioned earlier, I am the music director at my home parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia, LA. We have a growing Faith Formation program and offer various missions and events during the year. On August 15th of every year there is a Eucharistic Boat Procession along Bayou Teche (waterway on which most churches were built in St. Martin Parish/County). It really is one of the most sacred events I have ever attended. It is held on the Feast of the Assumption every year. It is also the National Day of the Acadians, and our Blessed Mother is the Patron Saint of the Acadians.
Where in Cecilia do you regularly find artistic fulfillment?
NUNU Arts and Culture Collective is a place where all art genres thrive and are encouraged. The NUNU Collective is an educational organization that works to encourage the development of artistic talents, skills, knowledge and business savvy by connecting artists with other artists, businesses, organizations and programs. It serves as a stage/platform/gallery for creative living by facilitating community, economic, and artistic/cultural development.
How have you found or built community as a Catholic artist in your city?
In 2018, I co-founded the Cecilia Cultural District. It is recognized by the state of Louisiana as a cultural hub of activity. I was able to cultivate relationships with locals artists, as well as promote their art through the cultural district. I was able to collaborate with musicians from other genres through events that the cultural district sponsored. I am proud to say that one of the events that the Cultural District encourages is the French Rosary, which is held once a month at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia, LA.
What is your daily spiritual practice?
One of things that I practice with my family is to keep an intentional prayer list. We have a small prayer corner in our home, where we keep our prayer list. Every night we add intentions and prayers. It really has made our family prayer time more meaningful.
On a personal note, I do frequent the Adoration Chapel often, where I have encountered the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit on numerous occasions. I do try and attend a retreat at least once a year.
"God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need.”
- Edith Stein (Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross)
I am also very excited to begin my journey with my spiritual director. My first session is coming up later this month. I look forward to growing in my faith.
What is your daily artistic practice?
I recently got some great advice from my friend and Catholic musician, Sarah Hart. She said to carve out time in your weekly schedule for songwriting. I set aside at least one hour a week to intentionally write (I even have it set on my phone as reminder). I also utilize my phone to record any thoughts, melodies, or others sources of inspiration that come to me during the day. I also listen to various types of music, which I find really helps to broaden my songwriting.
Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist. What happened, and what brought you the most joy?
"Joy" is my word of the year!! I had a joyful experience this past Lent. I was leading a women's morning of reflection. I incorporate my original music, along with the wisdom of the saints and the catechism during my presentations. I really focus on connecting the head and the heart in a unique way. At the end of the session, a beautiful woman of faith (who was in her 70s) shared with me how much she enjoyed the morning and felt the Holy Spirit. She told me, "I have never experienced anything like this before. I enjoyed how you brought in your songs and weaved them into the scripture we were studying." Knowing that I was able to use my baptismal gifts to give her a new experience and avenue to speak to the Holy Spirit brought me so much joy!
How do you afford housing as an artist?
My husband and I are blessed to own our own home. (I can't really answer to anything other than that.) I am currently serving as Tourism Board Commissioner for St. Martin Parish. I would definitely recommend artists to visit ACADIANA.
How do you financially support yourself as an artist?
I have been married for 16 1/2 years. My husband has his own IT company, which has really sustained our family. In 2020, I ended my 15th year as an educator, and decided to pursue my ministry full time. The graces have been overflowing since that decision. We are grateful and blessed!
I have been leading retreats and events around the Diocese of Lafayette, LA. I also serve as the music minister at St. Genevieve School in Lafayette, LA and I am the music director at my home parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church.
I would recommend that artists contact their local arts council for possible grants and funding opportunities. Some of the art councils may event sponsor a live concert or display art. I am blessed to live in a community that supports the arts and culture.
What other practical resources would you recommend to a Catholic artist living in your city?
CH Ministries (we use this as an alternative to traditional insurance... life changer)
What are your top pieces of advice for Catholic artists post-graduation?
1. Remember to keep your relationship with Jesus paramount.
2. Stay close to the Sacraments.
3. Use your gifts to glorify God.
4. Take your time; LISTEN to the Holy Spirit.