We were lucky to catch up with Reema Schonbeck recently and have shared our conversation below.
Reema, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
When I got started 15 years ago as first generation American, I already knew there wasn’t anyone else who looked like me, Middle Eastern and Brazilian, in my chosen field. I never saw anyone who looked like me in magazines, on TV, in movies (with the exception of the villains or terrorist roles). So, getting started, I already anticipated a difficult road ahead; I mean- I don’t even see a clear place where I could fit, how could I ask the industry to ‘find’ a place for me when the status quo (lack of DEI and inclusion) was working for them just fine.
I spent years auditioning and finding no traction, both because opportunities for me were scarce, but also because the pressure on myself when an opportunity would present itself felt overwhelming. As a teacher once told me- “You’ll never make it in this industry because you don’t audition well.” More recently: “You won’t get jobs because have too much vibrato”. These criticisms stayed on my chest like a brick weight for years after.
Around 10 years ago it dawned on me- the status quo didn’t work for me, so I had to try something new. I stopped auditioning and began instead creating my own opportunities. I began discovering who I wanted to be artistically and simply releasing that in the world. If people enjoyed it great, if they didn’t, great. I really had nothing to lose. After all, how could I ask society to instruct me where I fit when I clearly didn’t fit any previous mold? An artistic space to inhabit was something I could discover for myself. I reframed my feelings that I didn’t belong to “how exciting I get to find a place to belong that is all my own.”
A decade later, I now get requests for the artistic style I helped pioneer, and watching other acts’ watered down interpretations of our signature style. It was truly the definition of working backwards, because working forwards there was a wall in the way.
There are lonely moments, like when there are difficult decisions to make and have no mold that came before me to lean into, however being the “only one” allowed me the gift of pioneering my own spaces on my terms… and I love it here. I don’t take for granted the creative freedom we enjoy as part of our process because we built this space for ourselves.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I can’t say it any better than our friends at the ‘Orlando Sentinel’ did!
“While it’s possible to reach many corners of the globe on a flight from Orlando, live music fans can take a trip around the world through the music of Nik & Reema, whose influences range from jazz to world music to pop and rock. Their musicianship, talents and styles transcend time, space and geographic boundaries as their noir pop style has been called “so beautiful to experience.” Reema enjoys singing in up to 8 different languages as a part of her performances, and bringing cultural authenticity and styling.
“Nik & Reema promise a dazzling set with new spins on familiar covers and eclectic mashups that inspire connection with the crowd. History and storytelling also play a role in showing listeners new horizons and spreading the joy of multicultural music.
“Though the singer and guitarist first connected in Dallas, Texas, Reema is of Middle Eastern and South American descent and Nik is Swedish, so their backgrounds contribute to a broader diversity in their music and their mission of fostering unity across cultures. Both seasoned musicians in their own right, Nik has played guitar with Norah Jones and Reema has performed with rapper Common, as well as both working together for Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group on Platinum level albums in Europe before returning to Central Florida in 2015.
“With multiple YouTube videos that have now gone viral, the musicians have amassed hundreds of thousands of views online and found myriad opportunities to perform in the Orlando area, including Walt Disney World — from the Garden Rocks and Eat to the Beat concert series to the Magic Kingdom castle stage. Reema was even featured in the Disney+ special, “Harmonious Live!” They have performed in Paris, Berlin, London, Alaska, Mexico— as well as every part of the United States from California to New York.
“With a full band and a chance for audience song requests, Nik & Reema’s show ensures everyone leaves with a smile and the idea that we have more in common than we ever thought possible.
See them live periodically at Dr Phillips Center (check website for tickets).”
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Patience, purpose, gratitude.
These would be the three I focus on the most.
– Patience because nothing worth doing is worth doing fast.
– Purpose because when you have a purpose all the shots people take at you along the way fall off you; All the failures simply inspire you to stand back up. You have a higher purpose you’re working towards and it dulls all the other “noise.”
– Gratitude because you can get caught up in comparisons and be miserable no matter how much you have achieved. Stay humble and grateful and you can truly enjoy each step.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Currently, the number one challenge I face daily is all the “isms”- racism, sexism, ageism…
This takes me back to my last answer: have patience, purpose, and gratitude. When these things happen they are, of course, frustrating, but you get up and move on because you are working towards something so much bigger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://noire-productions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noire.productions?igsh=a3h5N3c5MmR5OGU=
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/63GqzjJp8PNOhyEQmhTR8I?si=3NmOYBlhQVKS-TZYbmh8Bw
Image Credits
Noire Productions
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
