We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Klarissa . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Klarissa below.
Klarissa , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. I find that engaging in a weekly practice of using creativity helps me thrive in this area. A way I have learned to grow in this area is through social media. One of my favorite songwriters, Andrea Stolpe, regularly shares songwriting tips and challenges for writing on social media. I have followed her for a few years and learned a great deal about what it looks like to cultivate creativity, specifically in the area of songwriting. One particular thing I have learned is the importance of continually creating. Through following Ms. Stolpe and other creators, I have been encouraged to push the limits of my artistry, explore new techniques, and continually find inspiration. I also enjoy watching singing competition shows, studying the work of other singers, and attending open mics to help expand my creativity. Other creatives often inspire my own artistry.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am Klarissa, and I am a songwriter and artist originally from St. Louis, MO. Inspired by soul, r&b, and gospel music, the music I write has messages that make people feel heard, seen, known, and loved. My hope is that people find something they can relate to in my music. My music explores real life topics such as perfectionism, self-love, and success.
In April of 2024, I released a new single “Seasons”. Inspired by the spring, this song explores seasons of waiting, seasons of pain, and seasons of joy in life. This is the song you blast after a breakup, while waiting for a promotion, or while praying for an opportunity. This upbeat song hits at the inner turmoil we feel when we know that bigger things are coming in the future while we simultaneously hold to hope that things will get better. The link for “Seasons” can be found at the end of this article.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
This is a wonderful question. One of the things I have been told from mentors is that in order to grow, you have to be intentional. Through mentors, life coaching, and personal development I have grown discipline, intentionality, and courage to try new things. Cultivating discipline has been instilled in me from a young age. I grew up performing professional musical theater, and as a child there was a standard of excellence for all performers. We were respected as professional performers and expected to rise to the occasion. This experience was invaluable as I learned the importance of preparation and continual practice. The competition and support of this environment helped me grow in ways that I am forever thankful for.
The best advice I can give to others is to sit beside people who are more experienced than you and be open to learning from others. I love to be in rooms where I can grow from listening to the wisdom of others. Being teachable is necessary for growth.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always interested in collaborating with other creatives, particularly songwriters and artists. I enjoy cross-genre collaborations so I am open to collaborating with artists and songwriters with different genre background. The best method to contact me is by emailing [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klarissaofficial/
- Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/seasons/1741973476?i=1741973477
