Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sheleah Monéa.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I believe singing & creating music is what I was born to do. I didn’t choose music, music chose me. My mother always tells me and anyone who listens that I was singing before I could talk and form sentences. My father is also a singer, so I believe it was his gift that was passed down to him and now it has been passed down to me.
Since it was recognized at such a young age that music would make up a huge portion of my life, my mother started me off with piano lessons, and soon enough, I started taking voice lessons as well so that I could learn proper technique and become a better singer. All of this was before the age of 13. I was constantly writing lyrics and melodies, and sometimes, I had the chance to record music with my father’s guidance.
I ended up attending Berklee college of music and while there, I use to be a part of some popular ensembles as well as working the corporate band circut. That experienced helped so with my performances & it is something I’m able to do to this day as I work on original music.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road of my music career has been less than smooth. I do believe that anything with having is something that may be hard to attain. But if it’s worth fighting for, you keep fighting. Unfortunately, this business is very competitive and superficial. I have struggled with my appearance at times and have been told no or not given certain chances, not due to my lack of talent but because I did not fit the mold they were looking for.
My confidence has been tested throughout the course of my life, but I try my best to just keep showing up for myself, regardless of how hard it may be in the moment.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I believe that my soulful voice, which I pour lots of emotion into while singing (live or recordings), is what separates me from some of my other music peers. I also truly love what I do and have believed in everything I have to say and do since I was six years old. I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I can sing for myself all day long, but it’s not the same as it is singing for others. I love making people feel good after they have experienced a ‘Sheleah Monéa’ show.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts lately. Usually, they are completely unrelated to my job. That helps my mind escape for a period of time because constantly overloading your brain with the same thing can be taxing at times.
I do enjoy true crime podcasts as well as mental health podcasts. Some of my favorite podcasters at the moment are “Murder with My Husband,” Bailey Sarian, and Dr. Tony Delony, Just to name a few.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheleahmonea?igsh=MTQ4dzU1djR4Y2Rybw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheleahMoneaMusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SheleahMonea?si=VUkkd0_3iEQVlX8I
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/dhzAi7oXFv2iUZmU8
Image Credits
Kim Terasa
