Case studies - Sheila Lord
Sheila Lord is a 17 year old songwriter and student from Westcliff On Sea in Essex. Her band, THE SHY was recently selected from several thousand applicants to play at a major UK summer music festival. She has also appeared on the BBC and had her songs featured on national and regional radio. Check out Sheila’s MySpace to hear her music.
Sheila has recently been chosen to be featured in Channel 4's YEAR DOT. The show follows the lives of 15 young people to see if they can achieve their dreams in a year. So, for the next year, Sheila along with 14 other young people will have rehearsals, gigs and the highs and lows of trying to make it in the music industry all documented.
See Sheila's profile movie at www.yeardot.co.uk/whoweare-7/sheila-lord.html
What was the most valuable lesson you learnt from your school days?
To keep on trying. If you struggle with something new, you often get more of a reward at the end of it.
Can you tell me a little bit about what you’re doing now musically?
I just played a 3 day university festival called Beach Break Live, I was chosen from a lot of applicants to perform. I’ve been put through to the final stages of a Channel 4 project where my life would be documented for a year to see how close I get to achieving my dream of musical success. Last year I got an award certificate from the Youth Council for helping young people in the area with my music. I put a business plan together and got a ‘fix it fund’ grant to fund the recording of a CD and the proceeds from CD sales all went to a charity called the SOS Bus.
What are the best and worst parts about trying to make it in the music business?
The worst part is probably that it’s a struggle and success is very uncertain but in a way, that’s also the best part as it’s an exciting, unpredictable adventure.
When you were at school did you know what you wanted to do for a career?
For a while I wanted to go to dance college as I was at a stage school from about 5 to 15 years. After this I decided I wanted to be a teacher of a subject that I loved like music, English or drama. Now ideally I'd love to be a successful writer and performer and do music professionally. But if it doesn’t work out teaching would be my plan B. I’m applying to university but taking a gap year to concentrate on music so I guess the next couple of years are crunch time.
How do you turn talent into a career?
I think some of it is definitely luck and meeting the right person at the right time or being in the right place at the right time. Obviously you have to be talented and totally committed to what you do, but sometimes the people you know and the opportunities that come along are just well timed though you need a positive attitude to be able to recognise these opportunities and grasp them with both hands.
Why do you think it’s important to support young people's talents?
I think too many young people are perceived as yobs and loud mouths whose only goals in life are to just destroy things and cause crime. This isn't true. It’s important to show the good things young people can achieve and to concentrate on the positive things young people do instead of concentrating on the bad. Young people should be praised for their achievements or they will lose motivation if the good things they do are overlooked or ignored.
Who in your life has helped you to Shine? Who inspires you?
My friends and family. I love the saying "friends are the family you choose for yourself" as it’s so true. My family are always supportive and caring and looking out for my best interests. My friends keep me going when there are things you can’t quite discuss with your family. They all keep me going and I thank them dearly.
What other talents do you have?
I love performing in general, as I mentioned earlier I went to a stage school so I do have a background in dance, as well as this I love drama and acting is one of my favourite subjects.
How do you think schools can help young people to develop their ideas and have the confidence to take them forward?
I think schools can encourage young people by simply supporting them and listening to them. They should try to really understand them and treat people as individuals. Most young people if you respect them will give you the same respect back. There has to be a hierarchy in school obviously, but that doesn’t mean people should act above you and treat you as less important than themselves.
What do you think about the Shine festival of talent? Is it something you would have engaged with if it was available while you were at school?
Absolutely, yes! I’m at school and think it’s a great way of showing a school’s and individual’s achievements. We tend to think of talent as music or dancing but achievement can mean loads of things. We only tend to celebrate certain achievements such as music or drama. But being able to achieve something within yourself is still the biggest achievement of all and should be acknowledged.
What’s the best advice anyone's ever given you?
I used to not pursue things if I thought they were too difficult but a close friend of mine always used to say to me afterwards "difficult is worth doing" and I’ve learned it’s most definitely true.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to go into the music industry?
To never give up and if it’s something you really want to do then focus on it and don’t be disheartened when things go wrong. Just be persistent and keep trying.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope I’ll be performing my music more professionally and being able to earn a living doing what I love with people still enjoying it.
You can hear Sheila’s music at www.myspace.com/theshyuk.
