We recently connected with Simone Levy and have shared our conversation below.
Simone , so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
As a child, I viewed life like a story or a musical-movie (not a movie-musical, for me there’s a big difference there) where there was so much joy and happiness , deeply influenced by “High School Musical” which is ironic, cause it is a movie-musical. This film didn’t only inspired me to persue music and performing arts, but also fostered a sense of empathy toward those around me, similar to how songs connect with characters in a story. Growing up in Guatemala, I was raised by my mother and grandmother, who were the center of my world and my story. All I wanted for the three of us was to experience a joy and happiness in our movie as a family. However, life took a difficult turn when my grandmother developed dementia after a traumatic incident involving gang violence, leading to my grandfather’s death.
I saw my mother’s struggles to care for my Belita, facing the emotional toll and challenges alone. I was young and not so sure on how I was able to help. However, I remember my mom used to confide in me with her personal struggles and I tried to offer support, which she really appreciated. As my grandma’s condition worsened, with mental health not prioritized in our country, I tried to remain patient and understanding, seeking to ease the burdens in our family. Helping with what I could, even if it was me just calming a fight, talking to either of them, holding their hand, or empathizing with what they were going through, I knew that was my grain of sand and kind of my song.
Sometimes, we feel helpless in dilemmas that are completely out of our control. Still, there are choices and small things that we can do out of empathy to contribute snippets of joy, laughter and ease to our loved ones’ own stories. This ran its course for eleven years until my grandmother passed away in 2019. Eleven years of hardship as a family, but also years that taught me emotional intelligence, patience, kindness and most important: empathy. My authenticity comes from my sensitivity which I’ve cultivated ever since young, helping me witness the smallest details in others and in life. From my career as an actor and singer empathizing with different characters and audiences, to how I deal with my daily life and relationships. Empathy helps me become a better asset to society, a better person…something I am very proud of!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Simone Levy, an actor and singer from Guatemala. I moved to New York City in 2022 with the desire to pursue musical theater, which I was able to base my studies on at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. However, my passions have taken me through a series of eddies, leading me through the current season of self-discovery I am in, figuring out my path as an artist and performer.
Most recently, I have been able to contribute as an actor to the “Northwell Community Scholars” program in a short film, that will be premiering soon, where I got to meet some amazing hard-working high schoolers. I have also had the privilege to play the character of “Judy” in the play “Hymnal,” written and directed by the talented Sofia Pastena, which was showcased at the New York Theater Festival at the Hudson Guild Theater.
In 2024, I was part of a cabaret show at the Pink Frog Cafe, where I performed a compilation of songs, including an original with my friend Géraud de Carm, an amazing pianist, musical director and composer, who showed me the accompaniment one day which inspired me to write lyrics and the melody. Performing music that comes from my own experience fulfilled me in ways art has never done before. I am excited to continue my journey as a singer, song-writer and performer, hopefully figuring out my own sound and releasing my own music in the future, while simultaneously pursuing my profesional career in acting.
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?
I’d say perseverance, self-belief and kindness.
There were a lot of times where I was starting from point A but wanted to skip all the way to Z. It’s been a journey to persevere through the hardships of learning and getting good at one’s craft. One can love and care for it so much, you just want to honor it by doing things right. Nevertheless, I think honoring the craft can also look like showing up for it even when it becomes difficult. (I should listen to my own advice).
With this also comes self-belief and a fair amount of delusion.
To acknowledge what one can bring to the table, genuinely believing the power it holds is something that will take you as far as you want it to. Call it your own, even when they haven’t seen you in your full potential, even if they haven’t given you a chance. I remember the first time I gave myself permission to believe, it broke so many past stigmas and walls that I had created. Letting delusion take up space makes the impossible feel possible, thus becoming real.
Being kind. You can master all sort of great skills, but all of them can only do so much without kindness. It’s a quality that makes you memorable to others. It opens doors that you thought were far too shut. People will enjoy working with you and you’ll become a reliable name in their roaster for future projects. Putting the opportunity benefits aside, kindness connects you with others, creates warmth around your environments and contributes to the collective. By giving a compliment, saying thank you, or opening the door to someone, these small acts add up to a greater impact. Leaving the mark of who you are as a person to others.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
At the moment, I am finding difficulty enjoying the process. I catch myself constantly thinking about point Z, as I referred to before. As a perfectionist, I know I like to be meticulous with my craft, yet it can drain me so much. Being completely transparent, I freeze when I put too much pressure on myself, so I need to find ways to constantly remind myself of the love I have for what I do. Going to a good show or concert, singing at a jazz jam session, or watching a movie cause the feeling of joy to surface after being hidden as a byproduct of the thought : what if it doesn’t work out?
I am constantly learning to live one day at a time, as cliche as that might sound. Recently, I’ve been learning how the present can be a safe place to find peace in. There’s no past to recall and no future to worry about, just today. It’s not easy work, but worth the try.
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Keston Migdal
Cam Capraro
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