Kevin Ray Johnson (Staff Writer for OnStage Blog)

It is my highest joy to introduce you to Shayna Blass. Shayna is a Singer, Dancer, and Actress that currently resides in New York City by way of Washington DC where she was born and raised. This American University Alum has performed with many major regional companies such as The Kennedy Center TYA, Signature Theatre in DC, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Keegan Theatre, Rep Stage, Theatre J, and The Berkshire Theatre Group just to name a few. She has also appeared as Lydia Riley on Mr. Robot for the USA Network. She is also a recording Artist with a PHENOMENAL VOICE. You can hear her music on Spotify. Shayna and I crossed paths many years ago and it is truly inspiring and amazing to see how far she has come in her amazing journey as an Artist. I am very grateful to have the chance to feature her for OnStage Blog!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a singer?

My parents have always told me that they used to hear me singing myself to sleep on the baby monitor. Not sure how I learned that, but it’s always been in there! I think once I started doing theater around 10/11 years old, I always loved the mixture of singing and storytelling. It wasn’t until 2015 that I put a band together and started writing my own music.

Where did you study? Are there any mentors that helped make you the performer you are today?

I went to school at American University, but I remember starting to take voice lessons at 12. My teacher Mrs. Gottlieb was really incredible and was so good at teaching young singers. I hated practicing my singing but I always loved learning new songs. My first solo singing experience was singing in her living room for a “recital” in front of all her other students and their parents.

Your voice completely knocks me out. What inspires and/or motivates you as a singer?

First, off thank you so much!!! My goal and dream is to always sound like myself. I grew up listening to a lot of different music but I ultimately hope I can combine it all into my own Shayna Blass sound that people recognize me for. Right now I’m super inspired to have a band. I’ve played with different musicians throughout the years, but the folks I have now are so frickin talented and kind, and generous. I’m really excited to see what we build.

Are there any other shows, performances, or moments in your performing arts career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?

A few years ago, I was asked to write and perform a Hannukah show for Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage. It was really out of the blue to get that email. I wrote a whole script and music (along with my good friend Jacob Fjeldheim) in a month. We put a band together in DC the night before and did the show the next day. It was the first time I wrote something super personal and holiday-themed. I really doubted that I would even get it done and it’s memorable to me, mostly because I completed the thing!

What advice would you give any young artist who would like a career in the performing arts?

Get to know yourself. As deeply as you possibly can. And start early. Get a therapist. Work through your stuff. Your primary relationship is with yourself. Being an artist is a long game, especially if you don’t have a ton of resources like money. It’s so important to know how you like to work when you need to rest, and what type of environment you want to work in. I think most of us (especially out of college if we chose to go) are looking for the next job as soon as possible. The peaks and valleys of work will come and sometimes the dry spells are long. By knowing yourself you will know how to fill your cup when you’re not “given” a job. If you have fun making your own work, do it. Don’t do it when you think you’ll have everything right. Do it now. Don’t wait. Make your art, gather your friends, and write your play. Do it now. Don’t listen to other people’s fears about what they didn’t or couldn’t achieve. Be kind, but put your blinders on and follow what makes you happy. Good luck out there, it’s going to be fun!

You can check Shayna's music on Spotify at -

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1spZLdP2JUJ6o50xuUdcSj; also, make sure you visit her official website at -http://www.shaynablass.com

"Get to Know Yourself. As Deeply as You Possibly Can." - Chatting with Shayna Blass!

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