Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Hernandez
Hi Shirley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Originally native of the Amazonian town of Iquitos, Peru. Music runs through my veins. My dad a songwriter and guitar player, my mom a singer, piano player and choir director. It’s all I’ve known since I was born. My parents are pastors so I naturally began singing at the tender age of 5, learning harmony parts and taking the lead for special performances. Our family migrated to Chicagoland when I was 11 and I believe discovering the revolution of Christian music from the 80’s and 90’s, not only in worship music but also in pop, rock, gospel, latin and beyond, is what helped me expand my horizons in music and grow as an artist. I loved that I didn’t need to remain sheltered from ‘worldly’ sounds because there were plenty of options of wholesome music that I could grow with and learn from. When I began writing my own songs, I quickly started exploring with different genres, and to this day, I cannot categorize myself in one specific genre or style. I love it all, so I love to create it all. Been in music now for over 30 years and still passionate about it as much as the first day, especially getting to do it alongside my husband and my children. Some days it making music looks a bit different than what I imagined when I was a little girl dreaming to become a pop star. But the fire to make songs that make a difference hasn’t died down. My husband and I have written and produced together for many years, and our children are also starting to follow in those footsteps. We want to inspire, support and challenge them to pursue those big dreams that make their hearts beat, whether it’s in music or not. We’re also finding so much joy in inviting friends along our musical journey and getting to collaborate and create together. It’s one of the best parts of living in Music City.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road and it still isn’t. Being a family on mission, we moved constantly and that meant starting over time and time again and learning to adjust and forge a new path in a new place several times during our childhood. Pair that with moving across the continent to learn a new language, new lifestyle and attempt to fit in with foreign people, thousands of miles away from your family. The life of an immigrant comes with its own set of challenges and those who have the grit accompanied by faith and are determined to succeed can overcome. But it does mean that we often have to work twice as hard just to prove our worth and our competency in any area. Music is not the exception. With time and maturity, we learn to use every disadvantage to our advantage. We also learn that things are always changing, always shifting, and naturally our plans and priorities will also change along the way. Although working in music is a hard road for anyone, plagued by insecurities, rejection, discouragement, I’m constantly learning to move past all that and focus on what matters most, the message, and the people that it’s meant to reach. For that reason, I choose not to give up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a creative you will catch me diving into various forms of expression. But I also believe I have the gift of communication and community-building, which also opens up opportunities in various other spaces. Currently you will find me singing and speaking in multiple venues such as churches, concerts, special events, conferences, studio sessions while also providing vocal coaching to singers in the area and online, teaching English to a Spanish-speaking immigrant community and also leading a Fit Dance class. I’m probably most known for my singing and songwriting, but I do love being multi-faceted and getting to serve others in creative ways, whatever the need may be. I believe that’s what’s special and significant about what I do, that no matter what I may be doing on any given day, it is for the people, to encourage, uplift, heal, and create a sense of belonging for all.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I love to dream big and imagine the possibilities. But I have also learned to trust and enjoy the process, to be fully in the moment and not rush or chase anything, especially not trends and the industry. That’s not the way I want to live. There are many projects in my head, ideas that I believe God has given me, and I am pacing myself, preparing myself for when all the pieces come together, to make the next move. But every plan I’m forging forward is not to scale myself to any type of status or popularity, but to invest in others, to build up the next generation and continuing to create space for people like me. Yes, it will include lots of music, for all people, but it will also be accompanied by mentoring, coaching, training and leading others to become all that God has created them to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Linktr.ee/shirleyhmusic
- Instagram: @shirleyhmusic
- Facebook: Shirley H Music
- Youtube: Shirleyrhernandez1
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/2JNqgvnSb9iPjL6WDYTNsM?si=wI-X8dNuTeyxqmaB2ozBIQ
Image Credits
Jacqueline Green
Victor Oquendo
Cross Point Music
