Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Natalie.
Samantha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story has pretty much one avenue: music. It begins at age four when I started playing piano. I studied classical piano with a few different private teachers up through the age of 14. Somewhere in the middle, (probably around age seven), I started singing with the children’s choir at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Miami Beach, FL. I was always a shy girl, but I LOVED to sing! This is where I started my foundation in ear training and singing harmonies in a group setting.
Eventually, through middle and high school, I managed to always have music as a part of my curriculum, whether it was in choirs or school bands. The one teacher that I can say really shaped my love for performing was Mr. Clark Douglas Burris. He was the founder of the Miami Beach High School Rock Ensemble, and from the moment I even knew of its existence, I knew that I had to be a part of it. Although my time was short as a band member, I will never forget the lessons, both musical and life-changing, that Mr. B taught me. I truly believe that it was because of his teachings and guidance, that I was able to continue my education after high school at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
Here, I majored in Jazz Vocal Performance, but was able to perform in so many different ensembles besides jazz; genres that ranged from Rock to Salsa, to Brazilian music. My four years at UMiami brought all of my musical aspirations and goals together and helped me shape what I would call my true love: songwriting.
I always “wrote songs”, but since graduation from the University of Miami, after the grueling hours of rehearsal, and practice time, and homework, and driving in traffic, I managed to take everything that I had learned in the last four years, and put it towards my writing.
I’m lucky to say that I’ve been able to work solely as a musician in ALL aspects: I perform, I teach, I write, and each one of those helps keep me in great musical shape. I think it’s important to be able to wear many different hats, so you are always prepared to share your talents in different ways.
Although it’s been a little while since my “educational” years, I never stop learning about this thing called music, and all of its many chapters. Throughout my journey, I have released three albums and seven singles. I’ve recently started a company called “Pen To Platinum” where we write original songs, produce, mix, master, and digitally release music for artists of all genres. Of course, along with starting a business like this, comes hard work and lessons well learned. (Once again, you have to wear many hats!) However, this is a job that I would love to keep and carry out for a long time. It’s creative, it’s new every time, and I love doing it. So, to me, it’s worth all of the hours that go into it.
Has it been a smooth road?
Never a smooth road. There are always obstacles that you have to jump or go around, but this is how I feel I’ve gotten better at what I do! As a musician, you are always working with other musicians, planning rehearsal times, trying to learn new material, and making sure that you are staying true to what it is that you really want. One of the biggest struggles I continue to manage is balancing my time, and knowing that it’s ok to say no to some things! I’ve always been one who strives to learn and be a part of every new project. But along the way, I would find that I had less and less time to follow what I really loved, and what I really wanted. At this point, I’m grateful that I work as a musician, but I’m also trying to keep my goals in sight and make time for that as well. I’m also really fortunate to have a family that supports me in every way. From my parents to my siblings, to my friends, to my husband, they all play a huge role in shaping where I am today, so I thank them. They make the struggles seem like they’re at least manageable!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pen To Platinum Productions story. Tell us more about it.
I began writing songs at a young age and fell in love with this art form ever since. So naturally, years later, my husband and I started our own songwriting/music production company called “Pen To Platinum Productions.” We write, produce, mix, master, and digitally release songs for artists, worldwide. You can think of it as a one-stop shop because we have a great team of award-winning songwriters, producers, and mixing and mastering engineers that we work with, so the artist doesn’t have to go anywhere else to get their final product. As a songwriter, I find it truly inspiring and challenging to come up with a musical concept for all kinds of artists, and in turn, this has become what I’m most proud of. It isn’t always easy to match an artist with the right song, but I’m always up for the challenge. I think what sets us apart from other songwriters/music production companies is that we really work one-on-one with the artist, and write something that is entirely new, and unique to them and the style they are seeking. No one else will have a song like theirs, because it’s exactly that: theirs!
Do you feel like there are certain traits that increase the likelihood of success?
Determination…without this, I feel like I’ve given up, without trying every possible way there is. And even when I think there is no other way, something happens and another door is open. Might be a small door, but at least, it’s open! Determination is equivalent to not giving up. And when we don’t give up, something is going to happen. Besides, without hope, or faith, what do we have?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pentoplatinum.com
- Email: info@pentoplatinum.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pentoplatinum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pentoplatinum/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pentoplatinum
- Other: https://www.samanthanataliemusic.com
Image Credit:
Professional Photos by Leesa Richards
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