Sing All About It -- My Music Journey

Last Saturday I finished my 3rd acappella concert with Glee Gees in my uni life. I had the chance to perform one of my fav songs, Falling Slowly from movie Once, with talented peers. It is hard to believe that 7 years ago I wasn't able to sing even one line in front of my friends, but now I can easily perform on the public stage to more than 80 people.

It all started with one spark..

Have you heard about the word "bathroom singer"? Yes that was me for my first 15 years. I never sing in front of people, no one. I never knew how did I sound, therefore, it didn't come to my mind that what I did (following along the melody) was deserved to be recognized or exposed.

If you could see me in my middle school -- okay you probably would not notice me: I was always the quiet, shy girl in class. Never spoke up, got blush when I was put under spotlight. In fact, because I was unconfident to express myself with other peers, I chose to connect with different genres of music and immersed myself in it. Whatever is on the radio, on the streaming platform, even those online music community sites aboard, I reached as far as I could, and it became a day-to-day habit.

One thing I did differently, was that I was very into English songs when all my peers in class were crazy for those hits in Chinese pop music. I love their melody and rhythm, even though I couldn't fully understand the meaning but the pronunciations sound so unique and beautiful to my ears compared to Chinese songs. The more I listened to, the more I started to mimic my favourite songs; by that time they were Adele, Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, and of course Taylor Swift ;) I sang along when I was in a shower, when I was alone, when I was on my headphone; it was my way of expressing feelings, and I decided to keep it to myself.

However, it forever changed after my first month in high school.

With one encouragement, it all lighted up..

I remember it was during a lunch break, I was joining in a conversation about music with couple classmates. We were all chilling and one girl played my fav song, Lucky by Jason Mraz. I started humming the melody. Suddenly, the music was stopped. I looked up, and realized they were all looking at me with a light in the eyes.

"Can you sing louder?" I couldn't believe what I just heard.

"Your voice is so good! You should attend the Talent Show in school!" What? Hell no I can't do that.

The conversation ended up being them try to convince me to attend Talent Show. But I believe that was the starting point that I had this little light in my heart, asking myself, can I do it one day?

Few months later I did attend the first round of Talent Show and sang the song Lucky. I couldn't help shaking when I was on stage. My throat felt like someone was squeezing it real hard. I closed my eyes, trying to throw myself back to the mood when I was at that lunch break, humming the song with people who appreciates me.

When I opened up my eyes, I heard the applause. That was my first time trying to express myself in front of a crowd. And I felt so good. Few weeks later I made it to the finalist.

Then it grows up to a passion..

When I first came to University, I was looking forward to joining a singing group. I heard about Glee Gees, and I attended the audition in first year. Because I was still very nervous and unconfident about myself, I didn't make it to join Glee Gees.

However, I didn't stop singing. I learnt how to play Ukulele by myself, and I record my first music cover and posted on SoundCloud.

The process of creating music piece then publishing it on the internet, empowered me to be creative and to express my music whenever I want to. So I continue this journey by creating a music cover video with my friend.

Sing about it, and it all worked out..

In my second year, I attended the audition of Glee Gees again, and this time I made it in. Since then, every Friday night was full of music and singing. Being in a-cappella group taught me the concepts of blending, of harmonizing, of actually listening to others. Singing became not just a personal thing, because I need to teamwork and my goal should be to polish the overall performance, instating of showing off one voice; singing also became the most personal thing, because I had the chance to connect with many mind-alike passionate and talented youth. It feels so good to do what I love and to be surrounded by people who feel exactly the same way like I do.

Because of what I've learnt from this music journey, I was able to be inspired to create this piece, doing a small a-capella cover of Yellow by Coldplay, by myself.

My music journey is basically, do what you love, by just doing it. I believe I will just continue my way. Want to keep up with my music journey? Connect with me on SoundCloud and YouTube!