Conversations with Ashara Holliness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashara Holliness.

Hi Ashara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started making music when I was 17. I heard Mary J. Blige share my world and I wanted to make people feel how I felt listening to that specific song

Over the course of the last decade I’ve had ups and downs a lot of self doubt a lot of noise from outside people a lot of doubt from people and it did get to me at one point from 17 to 24 hours was really insecure about my voice. My looks pursuing my career because everyone was against it and told me that I wasn’t attractive enough . My voice wasn’t appealing enough and many more things.

Around 24 was when I started to lock in. I told myself is now or never what that look like for me from that point moving forward was becoming my biggest cheerleader, but also being realistic with the work that I needed to put in vocal training working out learning new skills so that way I can further my visuals Really understanding my my tone, my pitch my approach

To bring the story to present day I’ve never been more confident in myself. I’ve never been this happy with my growth and my progress. I’m not ashamed when I messed up on certain notes or dance routines because I understand that’s a part of the process and now not only have I found my Laying in my pitch in my vibe. I’ve also curated a community of houseguest, which is what I call my supporters who are here for me and they empower me to be myself unapologetically

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
By no means necessary has this been a smooth role for me from various stages of homelessness, self-doubt, very little support from family, insecurities within myself the list can go on and on

I faced quite a bit of adversity behind choosing a route that is not conventional but not unpopular either a lot of people in this world wanna be artist singers rappers dancers, which is what makes this a highly oversaturated extremely competitive lane to be in and it’s not many people that will make it that alone was a big obstacle for me to overcome Because that’s the reality and you have to be able to push through that knowing that that’s a possibility.

But I would say as of today, the biggest obstacle that I’ve had to overcome is ageism . Not only from other people, but from myself as well.

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?
I specialize in making progressive R&B, music and choreography with a band of dance genres

I would say at this point I’m known for vocal play or at least that’s what I like to call it

What I am most proud of is the moments when I am singing a song in my current skill set and hitting notes that I thought were always impossible for me or breathing more efficiently so I guess you can say I’m most proud of becoming stronger within my techniques which I would love to give all praise and credit to my amazing vocal coach Lori who is so patient with me and curates lessons that stretch me she can be starring, but she is so gentle at the same time truly one of the best to do this

My empathy says me apart from others around me.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
One of my top favorite author is Wahida Clark

I like a lot of her writing style because I can see a visual in my head as I’m reading and her book definitely get me all riled up lol

Outside of that, there is something I watched specifically and a lot of people laugh when I say this until they understand why my favorite thing to digest our slave documentaries slave stories, and when I say this most people go, “are you serious? “ and then I laugh, but the reality is yes I’m very serious because in the moment when I’m facing hardship or adversity and I feel like this is just the worst thing ever I listen to the slave documentaries I listen to the slave stories to ground myself to remind myself that yes whatever it is I’m going through is hard for me now, but that was worse. At least I can walk certain places without being asked if I have an owner.

Pricing:

• For all booking rates email me : [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/therealashara
• Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/asharaholliness
• Youtube: https://Www.youtube.com/asharaholliness
• Soundcloud: Www.soubdcloud.com/asharaholliness
• Other: https://Www.tiktok.com/therealashara