Shalea

SHALEA is a singer, songwriter born in the Bronx, NewYork. At an early age, Shalea realized she absolutely had a thing for music, but hadn’t yet realize that music would be the driving force in her life as she grew up and pursued her dreams. While other kids typically had fun playing hide and seek and jumping rope, Shalea found her greatest joy standing in front of the mirror singing and dreaming of one day being a star. This dream has never left her.

By the time she was 8, her father, a professional singer himself, began cultivating her talent, arranging for vocal and piano lessons and eventually studio time. The studio
became her home away from home. “I enjoy the thrill of being in the studio week
after week, using all my skills and creativity, working hard and having the sheer joy of producing a musical product I can be proud of,” she says.

At 14, Shalea entered Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the PerformingArts, the
prestigious special admission school in NewYork City. Renown for its training of young
talented artists, she majored in voice and music theory. The school widened her musical
range, giving her the opportunity to study opera and receive classical voice training.
Once again, her love of music and desire to perform meant that she did not do the
“typical” teenage things. “I could be found alone in my room producing melodies, writing songs, examining my life, looking for inspiration for my songs.”

Her inspirations are not only drawn from her own life but span the generations and
music’s history, recalling her own muses and idols—Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight,
Chaka Khan,Michael Jackson,Mary J. Blige, even Mozart – artists and musicians with
the true staying power Shalea possesses herself.

Shalea honed her skills as a member and lead vocalist for several groups. Shortly thereafter,
Shalea made the decision to perform as s solo artist. This decision took her in a different
direction. At 16, she competed in Hal Jackson’s Most Talented Teen Competition and won the audience and judges over with her rendition of Yolanda Adams’ “OpenMy Heart.” Shalea was awarded third runner up and appeared on cable television performing the song.

In spring of 2008, Shalea competed in the Urban Threshhold R&B Showcase and captured
the first place title for Best Female Artist.As a result of her performance, she was nominated for the 2008 Underground Music Awards Most Promising Female Singer.

Shalea continues to polish her skills through her live performances throughout the tri-state area:The Apollo Theatre, BB.Kings, Club Groove, Village Underground and CaféWha in NYC, McKinsey’s, in Ct, andAssembly in NJ.

In collaboration with Brother II Brother Productions, Shalea has released two mixedtapes,
“Comin’ 2Da Stage” and “Back On Stage” and is currently recording material for
her first album tiltled: “BETTER TELL SOMEBODYABOUTME” to be released later
this year. Her single, titled “Remember I LovedYou” was featured on Power 105’s Ed
LoverMorning Show, deal or no deal segment, and won Shalea recognition as artist of
the week.
Singer-songwriter, breathtaking vocalist, dynamic performer – this is Shalea. “My music
speaks about relationships, family values, love, who I am,” she says. “I put my style,
heart and soul in my music.” Shalea knows what it’s like to be human – to have dreams,
aspirations, disappointments, joys. Her music wraps itself around all of life’s experiences.“I want my music to be known for making a difference, not just to entertain my listeners but let them know we are all in this together.”