BY BRIANNA SKELTON
ISSUE NO. 34 | DECEMBER 2021
While the halls of Modern Day Music are no exception to the unlimited amount of talent that comes through on a day-to-day basis, today, we get an in-depth look at one of our senior students that has been honing her musical identity since joining us in 2020, Shea Dewan.
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Born in Maryland before her family relocated to the Clifton Park area, Shea is now a seventeen-year-old navigating the course of her senior year at Shenendehowa High School. It was during the summer of 2020, when the world was tackling COVID-19, when Shea saw an opportunity to do something; to take a leap of faith and sign up for piano lessons, something she always wanted to get involved in. This leap lead her to landing lessons with her coach, Deb. From the words of Deb, “Shea took lessons to be able to accompany herself with music to her singing, but the talent she had was there.” From the moment they started their lessons, Shea blew her teachers out of the water with her
meet SHEA dewan
Kerry Kippert Photography
comprehension and understanding. Deb gushed about how Shea moved through the first lesson book in record time, to then be able to start dabbling with different covers she enjoys. Merely a few months after starting lessons, it was then that she was encouraged to try out for the band program and to really look into her songwriting ability. With impressive leaps and bounds, Deb encouraged her to give it a shot, and with a “New Years Day” audition piece, she nailed it and was welcomed into the band program with open arms. “It’s really cool as a coach to see it start in her room as just an idea, watching Shea’s mind wrap around these complex ideas and see it grow from start to finish," Deb goes on to say. "Those pieces that started out as small ideas to her playing them up on stage in front of people with the band.” In July of 2021, she added in the final piece that brings her to regular hour long intense practices at MDM, the guitar. To Shea, guitar was the piece that she really needed. After teaching herself the basics at home, she knew that it was the right skill. It fit more to the genre of music she saw herself growing into and her love for the guitar has been a great joy that has helped strengthen her love for music. When asked where her spark for music comes from, Shea laughed, saying that she’s always loved music but that one of the first artists she remembers connecting with was Taylor Swift. Something my own millennial heart could bond with as it has been proven time and time again, the bond that being a fellow Swiftie can be.
meet shea dewan
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From a young age on, she joined select choirs in elementary and middle schools, but as Shea pointed out, “Shen is a large school filled with talented people and it’s easy to get lost in the crowd.” It wasn’t until she started taking private voice lessons that she was really encouraged that she could do this -- that she could have something special just like anyone else attempting to fulfill their dreams. Her voice lessons are one of the things she still takes religiously at Shen with the same teachers that encouraged her that, if music was her passion, to follow that passion as far as it could take her. Given any time with Shea, you can learn she’s incredibly well spoken, but you might find it funny that as a songwriter, she often feels like she’s not the best as expressing herself — as many talented songwriters before her have often felt! For her, it’s about writing the truth, or in her words — “her truth” in situations. Writing is a form of therapy that she uses to really focus on how she’s feeling. Whether it’s the “cheesy” love song about a partner, or the angry emotions that come from a falling out with an ex-best friend, songwriting has become a place where Shea feels most comfortable expressing herself and who she is as a human being. Wanting to pick into her process a little more, Shea was asked how does she start that process, other than real life experiences. Anyone who has given a look into the Showcase Performances this past September knows she performed her own original piece based on a true crime story from the local area. “I’m obsessed with true crime and found this case fascinating,” Shea told me. She went on to explain the cold case that sparked a heartbreaking but beautiful reminder piece of a young girl who disappeared.
To Shea, this piece has been one of her most difficult, to the point that it never “quite feels finished” no matter how much she has returned to it. She says she’s proud of the song she wrote, but she knows it’ll never feel complete because it wasn’t her story. Accomplishments know no bounds when it comes to Shea. Already performing regularly at open mics, band performances, and putting a few singles up on Spotify, Shea is navigating and dictating her music career at her own hand. What’s up next? Well, she just auditioned for Berklee College of Music in Boston --- a school that can put the fear in even the most experienced musician, but as we spoke, she had an air confidence that I’m not sure she could see in herself. Her goal, should she get accepted into Berklee, or wherever she finds herself studying, is to focus on business in music, songwriting, and production. Aside from finishing her senior year of high school and gearing up to head off to college, Shea still has big plans to accomplish. Currently, she is continuing to write and put more songs on Spotify that she’s proud of. Want to hear the songs that is currently her favorite? Weave your way to her YouTube page and give a listen to “Stargazer/Lullaby” where one of her favorite lyrics she’s written comes from. “I just want to stargaze with you” is something she connected with the second she wrote it down on paper. It was a moment she felt the expression of true peace, in a moment with someone special. When wrapping up our hour long interview, I asked if she could give inspiring young musicians any advice, what would that be? She laughed, again, (and it’s an incredibly contagious laugh) before asking if she can steal advice she was given — advice by artist Jack Antonoff — someone who has worked along side some brilliant musicians through the years, most notably Taylor Swift. You could say he’s one of her biggest inspirations! She got a chance to ask Jack a similar question, and she’s stuck with it ever since. What is that? “Do it.” It seems simple, but he gave her advice that she has lived by since they spoke. “If you feel like you’re delusional, be delusional before anyone else. It’ll get you somewhere. Someone will be listening.” Shea continued to go on to say it helped her realize that her feelings, emotions, thoughts, and doubts were all normal, that it was all part of the crazy process of something she loved.
The last thing I asked Shea, is one thing I think is always important no matter what passion someone finds themselves in. "What advice would you give your younger self?" Without missing a beat, Shea perked up and said, “Everything is going to be okay.” Such simple words put together, but a big sentiment for someone who is merely seventeen years old. That’s a concept several people in my life took til their late 20’s and early 30’s to fully understand. Here, Shea was confidently saying that whatever happens with her music, her audition with Berklee, the future, everything is going to be okay. It’s impressive to see and goes without saying that Shea has a bright future in front of her. With only knowing Shea for a simple hour long interview, I’ve seen the incredible drive someone passionate and in love with their craft can accomplish, and Shea is already doing that. No matter where that life takes her, whether it’s Berklee in Boston, somewhere in California, or a little cafe down the block, we’ve only just seen the beginning from Shea Dewan here at Modern Day Music. QUICK SHEA DEWAN FACTS: Music Influences / who is filling her Spotify list: Taylor Swift Phoebe Bridgers Lucy Dacus Julian Baker Paramore Lorde Jack Antonoff / Bleacher Leanna Firestone ( Tik Tok ) Support Shea by heading to her links below: Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkqDPArzfYXGRuqZ7iwlLrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ntn3GV4BU5o0GgWLcoP7O
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Michaela's Corner
december CALENDAR
11/28- 12/6 - Hanukkah 3 - Ben Zoleski Solo, 151 Restaurant, 7-10pm 9 - MDM Staff Holiday Party, (MDM Closed) 10 - Legends Trilogy (Tony), Putnam Place, 8-11pm 10 - Ben Zoleski Solo, The Cellar, 6-9pm 11 - Ben Zoleski Solo, Katie O’Byrnes, 7-10pm 17 - Vagabond (Tony), Martel's, 6-9pm 17 - Under the Den (Ben), Spa City Tap & Barrel, 6:30 - 9:30pm 18 - Under the Den (Ben) at Pauly’s Hotel, 8pm start 24 - Christmas Eve (MDM Closed) 25 - Christmas Day (MDM Closed) 26 - 1/1 - Kwanzaa 31 - New Years Eve (MDM Closed) 31 - Ben Zoleski Solo, Spa City Tap & Barrel, 6:30 - 9:30pm
Welcome to Michaela's Corner - where we share office news straight from the General Manager! Just a reminder to let us know at least 48 hours ahead of time if you need to reschedule any lessons for holiday travels and vacations Hope you all have a great holiday season!
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEW STUDENTS in NOVEMBER!
Francine A Lila B Gabriela F Lourdes F Will H Daniel M Kyle M William B Paige M Madison H Victor H Steve S Greg A Franco F Jon S Sadie M Susan D Shaymis B John K Burak Y Briele S Adelynn M LeeAna D Mina G Teagan N Saketh S Justas P David F
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