Tribute to Women: Candace Taylor

/

Most creatives take nine-to-five “day jobs” to support their art. For occupational therapist and vocalist Candace Taylor, that has not been the case. 

“It is difficult to speak of my occupation as a therapist without discussing the role music played,” she said. A cellist and singer since childhood, she relied in-part on music scholarships to attend Northeast Louisiana University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. “Music has been my God-given gift and talent that has literally paved a way for me to do the work I love with passion,” she said.

As a child, Candace was on the quiet side. “I spent a lot of time listening,” she reflected. “If I did not know something, I would go on a search to figure it out on my own, instead of asking a lot of questions.” But she “inherently did yearn to engage [with] people,” made evident not only in her musical performance but also in her desire to help others. With an aptitude for science and psychology, she felt pulled to work as an OT.

“I use my specific skill set to help people, and I enjoy doing it,” Candace said. “I take my work very seriously. I [am driven] to help people to gain independence and achieve their goals in their given circumstances and life roles. It’s a two-way street when it comes to my clients and patients; we are always teaching each other, which makes for an eventful day, each and every day.”

Candace was born and raised in Shreveport, and she began her OT career there as well. In 2004, her partner (now husband) Marc-André Bougie, started commuting to Texarkana for his work with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. Over the next two years, the couple came to know more and more of the Texarkana arts community. Through these connections, Candace “was made aware of a job opening for an occupational therapist at CHRISTUS Health,” she said. 

“Although I loved my work in Shreveport, I had been preparing to sit for my hand therapy certification examination, and I wanted to be in a setting where I could primarily focus and concentrate on the rehabilitation of disorders of the upper extremity,” she explained. “The job opening at CHRISTUS turned out to be the perfect career opportunity for me to pursue my goals and passion.” Candace, along with Marc-André and their daughter, Miriam Taylor Bougie, has lived in Texarkana for the past 17 years. “This is home,” she said.

The Taylor-Bougie family is actively involved in the downtown arts community.

Candace serves in the music ministry at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She sings with the Texarkana Regional Chorale and regularly performs to benefit local organizations, such as Harvest Texarkana, Texarkana Resources and the Alzheimer’s Alliance. She is on the board of Hospice of Texarkana.

Besides teachers, musical and otherwise, Candace’s greatest influence is her mother, Lillie Starks Taylor, who passed in March 2022. “Losing my mother last year and very suddenly was difficult,” she said. “Every gift I feel that I have been given was nurtured by her. I’m still dealing with [her death]. I think of her every day, mostly just missing her. She gave the greatest examples of faith, hope and love embodied. She taught me to be steadfast and to pray/meditate without ceasing. She also taught me that it’s okay to be busy, but also to know your limitations and don’t stretch too far.”

FSLM asked Candace ...

What book are you currently reading? Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary by Brant Pitre.

Name a girl or woman you admire. Miriam Bougie (daughter) and Nina Simone.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An engineer; I like to design and build things. Luckily, as a hand therapist, I get to design and build pretty cool splints and orthotics that help people regain hand function.

Robin Rogers’ words on Candace Taylor
I was first introduced to Candace Taylor through her music. When Candace sings—whether with the Texarkana Regional Chorale, the Candace Taylor Trio, as a soloist or in any other configuration—you can’t help but stop and listen. As she performs often for local nonprofit events, I have been blessed to hear her numerous times, and each time, I’ve been enraptured by the depth and beauty of her performance. Additionally, in the last few years, my daughter Emily has received hand therapy from Candace, and she has become even more of a celebrity in our household. Emily raves about Candace. Her skill as an OT has alleviated Emily’s chronic pain immensely. Further, her warmth and kindness have made hand therapy one of Emily’s favorite weekly activities (seriously—she won’t miss it for anything). Candace radiates light, gives back to the community generously and performs with a gift that has no doubt been developed through hard work but also seems divinely bestowed in its power. I have told her several times that I think she would steal the hearts of America if she competed on a vocal talent show! I am so glad to know her and am beyond grateful that she and her beautiful family choose to call Texarkana their home.