Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shannon O’donnell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
It’s hard for me to imagine a happy life for myself where I’m not pursuing my art. It’s all I’ve known for so long, I feel as though as a creative, life looks and feels a bit different. As opposed to what I’ve heard about friends who are pursuing “normal” jobs, their career is a sector of their life there to provide income and security. There’s a deep emotional resonance in having music as my career – something that feels fulfilling for my soul.
When I was a kid, I was surrounded by music. My parents had a side hustle as karaoke DJs for local bars, family events, and even weddings. My dad played Irish folk music with his brothers, and influenced the whole family to learn acoustic guitar. I began singing for crowds as young as 4 years old, singing oldies and traditional Irish music. I was also heavily influenced by my brother, who had grown up singing crooner classics like “Fly Me To The Moon” and “L-O-V-E.” At circumstance, I was exposed to a wide variety of music as a result – and continued with an eagerness to find music I connected with through middle and high school.
As I’ve gotten older, I feel compelled to take these skills my parents and I have fostered throughout my life, and put them to use. Out of high school and the dreaded lockdown period, I ended up with a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music. After only having applied to Berklee and one other school, nothing was more of a sign than that – this is what I was supposed to do. I have continued not to lose sight of what I’m here to do, and I am very happy.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Shannon O’Donnell. I am a singer, instrumentalist, producer, and dancer studying at Berklee College of Music.
I have experience as a vocalist for weddings and events in the New England area, as well as a musician at local steakhouses in Boston.
Through my school career, I have earned experience singing for large crowds as a lead vocalist in numerous Singers Showcases, which is the longest running concert series at the College. I have spent the past two years as a singer in Berklee’s award winning A Capella group, Upper Structure. This fall I will be a Co-Music Director of the group. I have gained skills in Background Vocal work, performing in both student and Berklee showcases. I have worked under notable professors including Tia Fuller, Lil John Roberts, and Mimi Jones in Berklee’s Michael Jackson Ensemble.
In my own music, I pay ode to my love for genre fusion and experimental production- combining genres of dreamy neosoul and psychedelic jazz. Some of my influences include Stevie Wonder, Hiatus Kaiyote, Joni Mitchell, Sampha, and Men I Trust.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
A time that truly illustrated my resilience was during my junior year of high school, when the chaos at home reached its peak. I felt the weight of my family’s struggles deeply, and it led me to a breaking point. I lost all motivation for school and felt overwhelmed by the pressure of my home life. The combination of addiction and mental health complexities felt as thought it had taken over my family.
But through all of this, I found solace in music. Despite everything around me feeling unstable, music remained the one thing that never felt like a chore. I would spend hours learning songs, leading musicals, and attending dance classes. It became my refuge, the one space where I could lose myself and feel truly free.
That summer, I toured with a professional performance troupe as a singer/dancer which not only reaffirmed my love for music but also proved to me that I could rise above the challenges and hardships I was surrounded by at home. It was during this time that I realized my resilience—how I could continue to pursue my passion and find purpose, even when life felt chaotic. Music didn’t just save me; it showed me my strength.
After devastatingly losing my sister within the first month of being at college in a different state, my resilience came from leaning into my passion for music once again. I found strength in performing, creating, and connecting with others through my art, which helped me rebuild a sense of purpose. Grief is its own battle every day, but moving forward with my own prospects in her honor helps make it feel right to keep moving.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to connect deeply with others through our art. It’s not just about sharing music, but about creating a shared emotional experience that feels incredibly fulfilling. Collaboration, in particular, is one of my favorite aspects of the creative process. Often, it takes working with someone else to bring out my best musical ideas, and there’s a combining of energies that is super magical. I love making good music with good people.
From artist to audience, music has a spiritually uplifting power. As someone who listens to music almost all day, I know how it can instantly change the way I feel. Whether it’s happy, sad, nostalgic, or even existential, music can transport us to different emotional landscapes. It’s much like how certain movies stick with me because of how they make me feel. Music has that same ability to evoke powerful emotions. It’s as if the emotions embedded in the music open a channel, bringing the artist and audience into a shared space of understanding and connection.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: shannon.odonnell_
Image Credits
Ian Shiff, Dave Greene