We recently connected with Shirley Hernandez and have shared our conversation below.
Shirley, 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?
My parents are both musicians. My father was a songwriter and my mother was the choir director so naturally my sisters and I began singing in harmony very early and music was a part of our daily lives. As a pastor’s kid who was musically-talented, it was simply assumed that music would become my calling and ministry and so as a 10-year-old I saw myself becoming a teen pop artist, (like the artists I looked up to,) in the near future, not knowing what it would really entail. I committed myself to developing my craft, seeking coaching, attending camps, signing up for singing competitions, participating in school and church events and anything I could be part of. At 15 I started dabbing into songwriting and nervously introducing my musician friends to my songs, arranging them and imagining what they could become and how far they could go. That’s when I knew I seriously desired to become a full-time artist and to have a band to make music with the rest of my life. At 18 I remember having my debut concert, in which I invited friends and family to an entire night of live music, singing some covers and some original songs, complete with a live band, background singers, wardrobe changes and all the works. My parents and pastors prayed for me and blessed me for my journey in Christian music ministry. Shortly after that, my musician friends and I decided to officially start a band together, and they would become my creative partners for close to two decades, writing and producing music together, traveling, playing countless concerts and events and going all in with what we believed was our calling and vocation. My then boyfriend, now husband, was and continues to be my #1 co-writer and partner in this ongoing discovery and adventure in creating music we love and believe in.
Shirley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For almost 20 years I have been working in music full-time and that includes an array of services such as worship leading, session work, lead vocals/background vocals, vocal coaching, choir directing, songwriting, song translating, special events entertainment.
In all those years in music I have grown and learned many lessons. My perspective today is that what is most important to me is not the what, but the why. It is not what I sing, but who I sing for. It is not the songs, but the people who receive the message in the songs. I am most interested in the impact being made, the lives being touched, the healing and transformation happening in others, not only through my music, but through everything I do. I continue to make music because I still have the capability to do so and as long as I have breath I will use my voice to bring honor to my Maker and the giver of this gift. But music is not my everything and that is a very sobering fact. I have determined that if music were to be taken from me, if one day I am not able to sing, there are still many ways in which I can be useful and fruitful in this life. Therefore I am more focused on a life of service and impact, than a life of notoriety and temporary success. And that has made all the difference in the way I conduct my life, my priorities, my relationships and the way I pursue future projects. I believe that also adds great value to what I bring to the table, because it is not based on trends and popular demand, but an authentic and profound offering that meets real needs.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Because of my outlook on how to live creatively, I believe it is absolutely necessary to be willing to dive in and be equipped in other areas. We need to be flexible enough to pivot. That’s the life of a creative and I personally thrive in having my hand in multiple simultaneous projects that sharpen and challenge me in different ways. Several years ago, as my husband and I settled down a bit more and started our family, we felt compelled to be more involved in pastoral ministry, which lead us to start a church plant, to pursue theological studies and prepare ourselves in that way. That has opened the door to speaking engagements and getting to disciple people. Now that is not only an addition to our resume but to our story and experience in walking alongside people in their spiritual journeys. Working with children and families in the non-profit sector is now also part of what I get to do because I’ve remained open to change.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I believe that society still does not appreciate and value creatives as it should, starting with our education system. There is not enough room for creative children to be nurtured and challenged in our schools. As a mom of 3 extremely creative children, I realize that the instruction they are receiving is not necessarily going to meet their needs and help them develop their full potential so we need to compensate at home or seek services elsewhere. I know there are many countries who are a lot more advanced in this area. My wish is that my children get access to training and experience I wish I would’ve been more informed and instructed on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/shirleyhmusic
- Instagram: @shirleyhmusic
- Facebook: Fb.com/ShirleyHOfficial
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/shirleyrhernandez1
Image Credits
Victor Oquendo Jose Hernandez Jasmine Lopez (Authentic Adventure Co)