Today, I’m proud to introduce my younger cousin, Sophie, who used to call my sister and I “the teenagers” and is now one herself! Like many young aspiring singers, one of Sophie’s role models is Taylor Swift. At family reunions, she’d sing covers of Taylor’s hits and always impress us with her voice. Today Sophie’s here to share a little more about herself and her musical talents that expand beyond Taylor’s music!
Getting Started
I’m 15 years old and have been involved in music pretty much my whole life! At the age of 3 I started piano lessons and pretty much fell in love with music. With piano I learned to sing and starting taking lessons. At the age of 9 I learned to play the drums, and at 11, after undergoing surgery, I taught myself to play the guitar. This is when the obsession started and long nights, sore fingers, and the need to be playing guitar 24/7 became a part of my life. I wasn’t able to play soccer, was out of school, stuck in bed, for 48 days and needed to get productive. Even after I returned back to school I needed to play guitar! It came to the point where all I wanted to do was play the guitar, learn music, and learn chords!
Getting Courage
While driving in the car to a soccer tournament, I decided to break free from the shadows and play for my team. I was shocked with the response! They truly enjoyed it and thought I was good, telling me “you should put yourself on YouTube.” So I did! The fact that people were taking their time out of their days to listen to me, comment on my videos, and express their enjoyment just fascinated me. I loved the feeling of posting a new video, seeing the response of the viewers, being able to interact with them and getting requests. After seeing artists like Justin Bieber and Austin Mahone getting discovered off of YouTube, my interest in posting videos increased dramatically.
On Getting Discovered
All my life I have been involved in performing, but I never really said that I wanted to “make it.” It had always been suggested, but I knew that the chances of it were slim and didn’t want to waste my time. Until I came to the realization that you only live once and what’s the point of living if you’re not doing what you enjoy? So now here I am, posting videos of me singing and playing the songs of the artists I look up to. I enjoy the preparation of the videos, the performing, and the response from my followers way more than I enjoy going to the movies with my friends or going shopping! Now I see that this is what I enjoy so I’m not going to stop, just because the chances are slim.
The Power of Music
I found out that music is a wonderful thing. It can speak to people in unimaginable ways, using only 2 verses and a chorus. When people listen to music their moods change and so can their outlook on life. Even if I don’t get “discovered”, when I’m playing these songs on YouTube, I know I bring joy to people. Making people happy or putting a smile on their face is enough. It doesn’t matter if I am on stage in front of 1 million people or if I am in room with 2, I’m making people feel joyous all through the power of music. And I think that’s pretty amazing.
Working Hard
When I see an artist who is going above and beyond, writing their own songs I really value them. Artist like Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift and Cody Simpson are definitely on the top of my play list. With their music, you can tell what they were going through when they wrote it, but it is so well written that you can interpret it in your own way. I am a really detailed musician and when I listen to a song for the hundredth time, I love it when I notice a cool background lyric or percussion instrument I didn’t hear before. That one little part totally makes the song amazing and half the people never even realize it. Music is just one of those things you can’t ever quite perfect or understand fully because there are so many elements. The music business is always changing, but I think that is what captivates me the most. It’s such a big challenge and task. I am very determined and I don’t really ever stop pursuing my dreams because life is based on our dreams and our goals. So the ever changing world of music is so appealing to me. I love a challenge.
Determination
As I venture farther into the aspects of music, I see that there are definitely people who try to put you down and try to get you to stop going after what you want. Even at a young age, I have received comments from people who say “the chances of making it are slim” and “you’re just not meant to be a singer.” People are allowed to have their opinion, but they should know that the things they say don’t make me stop or want to give up they only make me try harder. One day when they see me living out my dream, I think that is better than having them see me quit. Like I always say “doubts motivate me.” More people would get to live out their dreams if they would just stop listening to what people say and live their life. At the end of the day you’re still more successful than those who aren’t trying. Through music, people can see this and start to believe in themselves. If I show people this on YouTube and change their lives, I think that right that is better than all the fame in the world.
I would love it if you would take the time to watch some of my videos and share them with your friends and family. Spreading the benefits of music and making people smile really is all I am really trying to do. Yes, selling out a stadium and performing would increase the amount of people I effect, but for now, you a single person is just enough for me.
My dear Sophie your sweet and melodiuos voice always makes me smile Reach for the stars you have nothing to loose and remember to enjoy the journey YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL GIRL INSIDE AND OUT So VERY PROUD of YOU love you much Aunt Reenie :)