Life & Work with Destinee Alera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Destinee Alera.

Destinee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out singing from the time I was a baby. When I was in my mom’s belly, my dad would sing to me every day. As a baby, my parents say that every chance I got, when we were out in public, I’d stand up and sing for people. Restaurants, stores, anywhere. I went to a music school in Oakland from second grade up to high school. It was there where my love and passion for music really blossomed. Every tool they gave us helped me learn music on so many levels, from the theory behind it to convey its message through your face and body. When I entered college in 2018, I knew I wanted to sing. At that time, I wasn’t sure if it was my purpose or sustainable. I had a lot of doubts back then about myself, my craft, and even how I would make it work. And my school’s vocal program was not as expansive as I wanted, so it discouraged me from fully seeing a future in it. So much that I changed majors. But even still, I gathered every opportunity I could to sing. In groups, by myself, around campus, or for people in my life. It wasn’t until my senior year in 2022 where I felt confirmed by everything around me. Something inside me just knew that this is what I was meant to do, and no matter what I am doing what I love. I really credit my dad and my school for my love for music and teaching me how important it is. And now in my first year out of college, I’ve begun my journey as an independent artist. It’s a process I’m learning a lot about and one that I’ve grown so much in.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I mentioned before that a lot of the struggle came from within. I’ve always known that singing is my first love, even sacrificing my love of dance and acting to pursue it full on. It’s been my main focus for so long, but I spent a lot of time unsure about its impact on my life. Of course, you’re your own worst critic, and I was self-conscious about how much I truly had to offer with my voice. And of course, it’s natural. But a lot of my journey had to do with comparing myself to other singers. The greats like Whitney and Beyonce, and even sometimes the talented people around me. Once COVID shook up the world, it gave me a new perspective on creating. I spent a lot of it toying in Garageband and collaborating with friends. Literally hours a day, just pouring my feelings into music. And out of that, I realized that the only person I need to compare myself to is me. Because my journey is my own, my perspective is my own, and the way I feel and create is completely unique. Just like for every artist. And I think that reminder is beautiful.

Now, the struggle of course is just what comes with being an independent artist. Finding your footing in terms of people to work with and your access to different opportunities. But I’m taking it one step at a time and just reminding myself to keep going.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider myself an all-around artist. I’m a singer and songwriter, but I also play the piano, dance, write short stories and poems. All of the things I grew up loving as a kid impact the work I do now. I don’t categorize myself as solely an R&B singer because I’ve drawn from so many inspirations and genres that make me who I am. Since I’m just starting out, I don’t have an extensive list of things to say I’ve done on my journey. I perform as often as possible, collaborate with people as much as I can, and put my heart in everything I do. I’d say at this point I’m most proud of the ways I’ve put myself out there. It’s allowed me to meet new producers that help bring my vision to life, connect with talented creators that help open doors for me, and have genuine relationships with other artists who are also on this journey. It’s a scary but beautiful thing to experience.

I’d say what sets me apart from others is that I’m really driven by a connection to people. In all that I do, whether it’s creating songs or performing, feeling a connection to those around me is a magical feeling. I’m an outgoing, social person, and I’m HUGELY empathetic, which means so much of my energy is drawn from others. I always try to hear music through life. I get most of my melodies and song ideas from listening to conversations and drawing inspiration from the smallest things. I’m not afraid to try new things, but I’m firm and solid in my beliefs and values. They guide everything I do.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
A quality that makes me who I am is my love for people. An amazing person I met this year has a saying: “If you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, go together.” When I hear that phrase, it’s a reminder to myself of two things: that the people around you are a reflection of you and that having people around you makes the journey so much more meaningful. The company you keep reflects your values, your support, and even the parts of you that are the most significant. And in the same vain, having genuine connections and love from people who inspire you and uplift you is arguably the most important to success. Talent, drive, and access are a given, but it really is that network that makes it so worth it.

A quality I want to develop more that is important to my success is being expansive in how I view my vision. I’ve caught myself sometimes being small with my ideas or goals. That can be, when someone asks me my thoughts or ideas about how I want something, or even in my own goals for myself. There’s a lot that I want to accomplish, and sometimes I’ll think, “Oh, I have to start small” or “Oh, think about how they feel / their thoughts”. I know that there’s definitely things can place limits on the process, like money and time. But I want to get better at changing the mindset from “I’m not at that point” to “How can I grow to this point?”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destineealera/
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-222589243
• Other: https://linktr.ee/destineealera

Image Credits
Photo 1: Tanairy Robles