Meet Gianna Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianna Harris.

Gianna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story began on my 8th birthday with a karaoke game as a gift, this was when my family noticed how vocally blessed I was. For my 9th birthday, I begged for singing lessons so my parents sought out a vocal teacher in my NJ hometown. After my very first vocal lesson with vocal coach Natalie Megules, Natalie was very impressed!!

Excited and eager, she said to my Dad “There is something special in Gianna, she may very well be a star someday!” That was all I needed to hear to give me confidence to keep singing. I proceeded to build on the encouragement and worked hard to learn and grow my vocal talent and skills. After performing only a few times at small recitals and training for less than a year, I started competing in some larger local talent competitions. At my very first talent competition, I tied for first place!!! This is where I met Debra Michaels who now owns Drop the Mic Studios and I became her student as well.

2015 was a great year: I continued to compete and win in multiple talent competitions throughout the tri-state area landing a spot in the Kidz Bop Talent Search at Madison Square Garden earning second place. Next up was the world-famous Apollo Theater. For my audition, I wowed the producers with a 90 second acapella cut of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”. Everyone in the room erupted into excited hoots, hollers and applause, one producer said: “You know what, you do have something.” Months later, I hit the legendary Apollo stage for the first time as a ten year old amateur. I won first place with a standing ovation in the Child Stars of Tomorrow round and scored a 100 on the applause meter!

Shortly after Apollo, I met Brenda K Starr and was offered an opportunity to open the Freestyle 30th Anniversary Concert at The Arena in Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ. I met some of the biggest musical acts from the 80’s and 90’s.

In early 2016, I auditioned for School of Rock the Musical on Broadway. I booked the job and joined the cast as Shonelle, one of the backup singers. I enjoyed a 17 month run on Broadway, in addition to performing eight shows a week, I got to perform at the 2016 Tony Awards and on Good Morning America for the Andrew Lloyd Webber tribute. After graduating the Broadway production, I was cast as the original Tomika for School of Rock The Musical First National Tour. I graduated that role in March of 2018.

In 2019 I booked the role of Emma Biggs in the Paramount Pictures film Mighty Oak. The cast list is extensive with Janel Parrish, Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, Tommy, Ragen, Raven-Symone, Rodney Hicks, Nana Ghana, Ben Milliken, Levi Dylan. The film was released on July 7th to Amazon Prime, Video on Demand, Vudu, Apple TV and many other streaming platforms.

I am currently in an all-girl r&b/pop group named enjoithejrny. We’ve just recently started rehearsing again but outside to keep us all safe. I also attend training, in vocal, dance and acting with The Broadway Star Project. I am represented by Don Buchwald & Associates’ Young Talent Theatrical team led by Leslie Zaslower and managed by Shana Landsburg of Leigh Brillstein Management.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
2020 has been particularly difficult since most of what I do and enjoy doing is singing live with other people and for large crowds of people. Prior to 2020, I would say there hasn’t been anything that sticks out as a particular obstacle or challenge. I’m still so young and each year has brought new and exciting opportunities that feed into my desire to perform and sing. There’s always been something propelling me into one path or another that hasn’t steered me wrong yet. Also, I’m not in a hurry to be super famous or so recognizable everywhere. I want a chance to grow up and get to know myself first before I’m thrown into this huge spotlight.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I’m still discovering my sound and style but I love singing 90’s r&b and feel like I’m always in my comfort zone when I sing bluesy jazz soul type music. I also play the guitar, piano, cello, bass guitar and ukulele.

What were you like growing up?
At home, I was very loud. And I was full of energy growing up. I did gymnastics for five years and I think it helped burn up all my extra energy. I was also very stubborn and strong-willed. I could not be persuaded or tricked into anything if I had made my mind up about something. I’m still like that to this day. When I’m out in public or at parties or gatherings I’m pretty shy and quiet. People think that because I like to be on stage and perform and act that I’m this super outgoing but I’m just the opposite. You can usually find me sitting within a small circle of friends or getting into in-depth conversations with one or two people.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.giannaharris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegiannaharris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiannaharris

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