Sheda Sonata was a brilliant voice born in New York City,home to some of the world's greatest singers, composers and artists of music. She attended private school to provide an enriched education. Her classical training started early in her career. She sang acapella everyday and formed it into a habit forming hobby. Sheda's grandmother, enrolled her at St.Jude's church choir to inspire Sheda to provide an emotional outlet for the young and passionate girl. Sheda's interest did not stop as a singer, she wanted to learn every aspect about the choir; the instruments and its operations, the different octaves of voices and harmony. She was classical trained on the piano for a short time, however, her interest of octaves and levels of voices prevailed. Leaving her piano skills unfinished, she wanted to explore the ways to understand her voice and its operation. At that moment, Sheda knew there was something more to her voice than she expected.
The choir went on a trip to the Washington Opera house in Washington D.C., and watched great acts and performance by top singers and composers. Sheda was amazed. The smell of excitement, the view of a passionate world filled with scandals, revenge, affairs of the heart...and love is how this aspiring young girl encountered Opera. Upon her return to New York, she shared her experience with her family and friends for a few years. Sheda began to dream of ways to experiment with her voice,"How can I capture the passion in Ms. Norman's performance?". She began to discover the many abilities of her voice and she was loving it! After 7 years of her youth in the choir, her family abruptly relocated to Maryland.
Sheda attended a blue ribbon high school in Maryland. It was there where she met the next inspiration to her craft. A former gospel and classical composer and present Choir, Vocal and Music DirectorDr. Everette Williams. He heard the shy and charismatic young lady sing and was blown away. "That big voice from this little girl?" Williams automatically took Sheda under his wing and helped enhance her voice. He classified her as a Mezzo Soprano. With Williams, Sheda achieved new heights as an aspiring classical singer. She received various school and community awards for her performances. Williams encouraged Sheda to learn more about Maryland's appreciation of music by attending local events, performances, recitals and competitions.
On a family trip, in April 1999 to Australia, many people and stand bys were waiting to enter the Sydney Opera. As the people grew angry and impatient, Sheda decided to do something to calm them down. On the steps of the Sydney Opera House, Sheda sang Pieu Jesu. The crowd silenced with amazement, each head turn to the sound of comfort and serenity. People begun to take pictures, cry and applaud as they had witness the singer that delievered them from disappointment. The crowd wanted more, yelling,"Encore!Enchante." Upon her return to United States, she received an invitation to attend some function with the Sydney Opera house, however, Sheda decided to decline, for she wanted to continue her education. She shared her experience with Williams and he wanted to introduced Sheda to bigger events, places and people.
In 1999,Williams had nominated Sheda to perform at The Society, Inc. Montgomery County Maryland Chapter for the youth in arts.The Society was in search of the County's top classical singers in high school.
Fortunately, she was chosen,invited, and performed. As the judging panel, briefly looked at their chosen few, they notice Sheda. They were a bit disbelieved that a young and slim girl has the ability to sing in Classical. Once Sheda went on stage and performed in front of the panel and its over 1000 participants, she sang these songs that would forever erase any doubts of her abilities and capture the hearts of many to come: O mio babbino caro and Pie Jesu.
It was then, that one of the Program's Director,
Mr. Hasker Samuel, approached Sheda, with tears in his eyes, and said," You...You will go far. Your voice awoke my senses kept its attention and unleashed the rivers of emotions through my tears."
Mr.Samuel had truly discovered one of the world's most undiscovered treasures that will impact the future generation. Samuel believed and knew that Sheda has this elevated, haunting mist of purity that cleanses your soul and makes it presences felt in your heart. Mr.Samuel began to introduce her to the remaining panel. Samuel told Sheda that she is the promising voices of the future. After this performance, her school had a mini celebration in her honor.
Senior year in high school 1999, she was the main character, Dorothy in the production of, The Wiz. She belted many tones of sound in the song,I wish I was home, injected many classical trills and vocal blankets of sound in the song,Be a Lion, and an unforgettable 8 octave ranges in the song, Home. This peroformace attracted B.E.T. executives and NAACP board members to purchase tickets just to hear this rare and beautiful voice. Although the play was three days, Sheda's performance was unforgettable; reaching headlines and news local, district and regional. Former chairman of NAACP,Mfume, spoke with Ms. Joyce Roberts to ask if Sheda would perform at the National Act-So event. Ms. Roberts, head of Act-So event, persuaded Sheda to apply to enter the competition to perform at the event.
Sheda won gold medalist for the state of Maryland in Classical Music. It was at that performance, she met the late and great Dr. Carter, world phenomenon, musical director of Morgan State University classical choir. Dr. Carter, encouraged Sheda to apply to Morgan for her freshman year. Sheda was a bit hesitant because that year she also received a persuasive letter from other top music colleges in need of her attendance for her first year at college. After month of debating, she decided to attend Morgan State and joined Dr. Carter's choir. The Choir traveled and performed national and internationally at many events. Dr. Carter's choir was cordially invited to perform at Kennedy Center for the Honors, honoring Stevie Wonder Jamie Jemerson, and Sean Connery. The former President Bill Clinton and New York Senator Hilliary Clinton attended the event as well. They were hypnotized by the solo performance she gave during intermission.
Stevie Wonder said," Your voice was reminiscent of the feeling of a young boy embracing his mother". Sean Connery agreed and said,"Yes, she captures that feeling of ecstasy, protection from the harsh reality from intruders". Bill Clinton said," Please continue, and let me know when you go on world tour". Sheda was amazed at how invigorating and luminous voice impacted people.
Since then, Sheda has continued to win awards and the hearts of many. She also performed at LAM Jam 2005 Summer Edition by invite and also local clubs in the Washington Dc Area .She has applied to many recording companies with hopes of entering the classical music world. She will be an asset to any recording company, for she is everlasting, classic, and serene.
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