Today we’d like to introduce you to Reema Schonbeck.
Hi Reema, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi! It’s so nice to “meet” you. I spent my life dedicated to shattering glass ceilings and pursuing music and art that came directly from the deepest part of myself. As a mixed first generation American, I never saw any women in the arts growing up who looked like me or who I could resonate with. This caused me to grow up feeling a sense of a lack of belonging; it felt at times that I didn’t have a place in the arts and wasn’t welcome at the proverbial table. Still, music was oxygen to me. I couldn’t even imagine a life for myself if I wasn’t constantly engulfed in music and it’s creation, so I decided to stare directly into the face of all these voices telling me I couldn’t do it and do it anyway. What ended up was a lifetime dedicated to music, as well as creating a place where more young minority women can be seen, heard, and valued; where they can have a place at the table and hopefully not need to dedicate a lifetime to creating one for themselves as I did. Every event we work is rallying towards a future where young minority women have a seat at the table and contribute incredible things to the conversation (because we have a lot of beautiful things to add to the conversation!)
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If my road has had victories, perhaps it’s had even more struggles! When you don’t see anyone who looks like you doing what you want to do, you don’t have a template for how to proceed- or even how to begin. The journey was a lot of trial and error, and then engulfing myself in the art and just letting the music carry me through the hard times. Of course, I was called racist and sexist things along the way, but I’m so proud of my younger self she didn’t give up. Not even when grown men 10+ years my senior tried to put doubt in me that I could do it. My younger self was so dedicated to this journey, and because of that, I live my dream every day.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in jazz and world music. While we’ve done high-energy pop Top 40 for decades (that one has had a place for a long time!), I’m the most proud of bringing my unique and diverse voice into the conversation. I learned French, Spanish, and Arabic as a child and grew up very familiar with Portuguese as my mother is from Brazil, and I would pick up the language as family members spoke or around me. Today, I can sing in 7 languages and dedicate hours daily to immersing myself in language and culture. It is truly a passion, and I’m so excited to see more and more clients getting excited about this unique approach. You can transport guests worldwide all in one evening and even end up dancing the night away- all with the same band, The Champagne Orchestra. It is something special!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Tenacity. That’s it; Never underestimate grit’s power. When everyone says “no,” you keep walking forward. Some days, you may walk defeated. Some days, you may not walk as far. But as long as you are still walking forward, you are closer to your dreams. Don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: Noire-productions.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/noire.productions?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noireeventsandproductions?mibextid=2JQ9oc
