Meet Hannah Ray

We recently connected with Hannah Ray and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I have always been a carefree spirit. But I never was a risk taker… Per se. I have been a singer and performer my whole life, ever since I was a little girl. And honestly, I would say each time you step on stage it’s like taking a risk, or at least preparing you for the feeling of taking one. The adrenaline rush you feel is unlike anything else. I have always compared the moment just before stepping on stage like the moment just before a rollercoaster drops after that long climb. And truly, the ability to overcome the fear of taking risks took time and practice. The more I took them the easier putting myself out there became. Even today, the butterflies and the adrenaline still pump every show or audition, but I have learned how to harness it and use it for my benefit. I would say this is the same strategy I use in personal life as well. The skill of taking risks with my art has taught me how to take risks navigating real life. Such as buying a car, or making the hard decisions of moving cities. And believe me… take the risk. You won’t regret it. Even if you fail, you will know at least you tried.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Now a NYC resident, I came from a small town in North West Florida and grew up with a father who had a driven passion for music. At a very young age, I found myself tagging along to my father’s band gigs in small bars and festivals. For years, I watched as he hustled to follow his passion for music while holding a full-time teacher/educator job just to put food on the table for a wife and 5 children… What an inspiration. So what better to do than follow in his footsteps. I am currently singing and acting full time living the New York City dream. Just this past week I had a 6 show run in my music and recently wrapped 2 films (one in Texas and one in New York). It’s been a journey of ton of hard work, dedication and risk taking, but I feel super proud where I am at currently and am looking forward to the future. Speaking of future, come see a show in NYC! I have a show coming up at the Iconic “Bitter End” on Friday, July 19th at 9:00. This venue was a dream of mine to perform in for the longest time and here we are! I mean, with the legacy of performers from Lady Gaga, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan. It’s wild to share a stage they have graced! Tickets are on sale now! I also can be seen at my residency every Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel on 48th st. From 5-8.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Persistence
2. Staying positive even in the most difficult of times.
3. Find your why. (Motivation)

1. So with persistence, I can’t tell you how many times I had to fail to achieve one win. It’s a numbers game. You have to audition in acting 100 times before you land that one major opportunity. In singing and music live performances, there is no such thing as the perfect show. I have (and am still learning this) to learn how to let go of the control, just be my authentic self and keep going.
2. As an artist, staying positive can sometimes prove difficult. You are always on display to be critiqued. And not in a bad way. But for instance, auditioning, you are submitting and getting call backs to not be the one or the look they were looking for. And hearing that over and over before landing the next opportunity… that can be a cut to the ego. You have to remain strong and confident l, tell yourself that you are good enough and to keep going. Because you may not be the person for that role but there will be one out there you do fit. Same in music, dance. Find things in your free time to do that lift your spirit and surround yourself by a strong support team (even if small, make it mighty)
3. Find your Why. This is so important. I had to realize my why. Why the arts? Why New York? Why singing and telling story through song. My why for being in the arts is that I want to leave a positive impact and inspire others through any medium, whether it be through music, acting, or dance.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Music. Specifically writing and creating music. About a year ago I started recording my first ever EP Album. I had JUST started writing music for the first time in my life. I decided I didn’t want to just do covers, but it was time to discover who I was as an artist. And I am still in the process of discovering that. I am now writing album 2 which is again continuing to answer “who is Hannah Ray?” I would say album 2 is so much more defined than album 1, artistically and emotionally. I am learning to embrace being an open book with an audience and allowing people to see the deepest parts of me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehannahray.com
• Instagram: @hannahrayteal
• Facebook: @hannahrayteal
• Youtube: @hannahrayteal
• Other: Spotify : Hannah Ray

Image Credits

David Colon