We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaila Cheryl a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaila, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Before I began to really take music seriously, dance is what took up most of my time. Throughout elementary and middle school, I took classes about 3-4 days out of the week and had 2-3 different classes each time I went. I took ballet, modern, hip-hop and pointe– but my favorite class of them all was tap. I really miss it and would definitely take it again if I have the chance.

One day during my dance school’s summer dance camp, we were scheduled to perform at a local community college. We performed pieces that we did in our recital earlier that summer. Once I performed my number with my group, we exited through the isles where the crowd sat. As I was passing by them, this one woman stopped me and said, “Your dancing reminded me so much of my childhood.” That moment has always stuck with me.

Although I think I always knew that I wouldn’t end up pursuing dance as my true passion, it amazed me that I made someone feel something by expressing myself through a creative form. I have never forgotten that moment because I want to make the same impact with my voice and music. That moment proved to me that my creativity and expression can be bigger than myself– it can touch people in a way that I don’t think I completely understood before that moment.

Kaila, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Like a lot of artists, my journey started in a church setting. Of course I was always singing around the house, singing little duets with my grandma and making up my own silly songs; but the church was where I had my first big singing part. When I was 6 years old in the 1st grade, I joined the Children’s Church Choir at Immanuel Baptist Church. Although I was a bit shy, I was given my first solo by the choir director, Ms. Harriett. As I continued to grow up with my church friends and family, somehow a group comprised of myself and two of my friends formed. After a few performances at church services, the church began to know us as an official group and we eventually gained the name KNK (Kaila, Naomi & Knyah). My experiences in the church really pushed me and inspired me to continue to take music seriously. So thank you and shout out to my church family & the music ministry!

I think that because I am such a social person and love to make people feel comfortable around me, it translates into my music. I love when people can feel and understand that I am genuine; being real is one of the most important things to me. I want people to feel like I know them and vice versa through both my music and interactions with them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding feeling is being able to evoke emotion in people. When I have impacted someone simply with the words, the melody, or the harmonies that I sang, I feel a sense of satisfaction. I strongly believe that the energy in a room during a concert- whether it be a small bar or an expansive arena- can be an incomparable feeling. Music can change energy, perspectives & emotions. I love when I can play a role in doing so.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

There is no plan B. People sometimes ask, “So, what’s your plan B?” or “What’s your backup?” A mentor of mine taught me that there is only one plan. Plan A is the only way. When people ask for a backup plan, it carries a connotation that my dreams are too big or unrealistic. I will not skip over the fact that, yes, life as someone who is pursing a career as an artist (at any capacity) is unpredictable. But I don’t see myself choosing anything else. And in order to pursue the career that I want, every step I take will be one to get me even closer. So my answer to anyone who asks what my backup plan is: I will continue to implement new strategies and new ideas to get me to where I want to be. There will never be a backup option. It’s always plan A with sub-steps!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flowcode.com/page/kaila-cheryl
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kailacheryl
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kaila-spearman-50b9b021a/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@kailacheryl3851/featured

Image Credits
Ansgar Devadhasan, Kameron Mincey, Zuri Greenlee