Ella Berkeley: Singer and Songwriter

You may have seen her around campus…but have you heard her beautiful voice? 

When did you start singing?
I started singing at age 10 or 11 but I performed for the first time at age 13 in a teen idol competition. I didn’t think I would make it far since I was the youngest contestant but I made it to the top 25 finals!
 
Have you sang at any interesting places?
I have sang at everywhere from restaurants, nice ones, to an old age home. I have also sang at bars like Cornelia Street in NYC and in competitions.
 
What was your favorite experience?
Probably singing at this restaurant when I was maybe 15 and a woman came over to me and told me my music and voice had made her happy for the first time since her husband died. I had never been so touched.
 
What has inspired you in your song writing?
I started songwriting when I was maybe 15, my mother is a musician too so we would write together. And then I got into it. I write based on past and present experiences, feelings I may have and about my surroundings. Though usually the songs pertain to my experiences not someone else’s.
 
Are you working on any new songs?
Yes I’m in the process of writing 4 new songs, sometimes it takes me an hour to write a song, and sometimes it takes years. So it’s a process, but it’s fun and exciting and I get new inspiration all the time.
 
What are your future plans and goals?
I want to get signed by a record label pursue a career in music, however if that doesn’t work out I want to have back ups, graduate college and go to law school, maybe work for the FBI.
 
Do you have any advice for our collegiettes?
I think my best advice would be, just work hard and don’t give up.. Whether its studying for a test, or getting an internship or pursuing your dreams. It doesn’t matter. It’s easy to give up and get discouraged, I know. But it also is very rewarding when your finally succeed.
 
 
To hear Ella’s music check out her websites:
http://www.reverbnation.com/ellaberkeley
 
http://www.myspace.com/ellaberkeley
 
https://twitter.com/#!/EllaBerkeley
 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Berkeley/207127632660345
 
http://www.ella-berkeley.com/